Page 80 of Forgotten Promise

Because he’d been in love with Kailani Iona since she was nineteen years old, and while it seemed insane, he was already halfway in love with John.

John. Jesus.

What would he say if he was here?

Benjamin didn’t have to search for that answer for long. He knew exactly what the sexy detective would do. He’d stop this fucking meeting and set Selene straight.

God knew that was what Benjamin wanted to do, but he was leaving it to Kailani. He’d made so many mistakes before, that this time he was going to be smart and shut up. If things had changed for her over the past few days, she’d say something. Right now.

He wouldn’t stop this, save their trinity if that wasn’t what Kailani wanted. He didn’t want to give her yet another reason to hate him.

Her silence was all the answer he needed.

She’d clearly gotten what she wanted. What more was there to say?

Benjamin had walked away from her all those years ago because he’d fallen so deeply in love that he knew if he didn’t, his heart would be broken when the two of them were assigned to their trinities. He’d thought he’d been so smart, avoiding the pain, minimizing the hurt.

Now, there was no reprieve, and his heart didn’t just break, it shattered.

She really didn’t want this. Didn’t want him.

He swallowed heavily. He couldn’t stay on this island, couldn’t stand the thought of John’s response when he found out…

Would he be as devastated as Benjamin?

Or would he be as relieved as—apparently—Kailani was?

“Kailani?” Selene said, her voice cutting through the fog. “Did you hear me?”

Kailani’s attention jerked to Selene. “I’m sorry. No,” Kailani said softly.

“I need you and Preston to inventory the waihona now. It can’t wait until morning.”

Kailani nodded. “Of course, Grand Master.”

Preston had already risen, and Kailani followed suit. Benjamin watched her progress, all the way to the door, feeling like a fool because he was still waiting. Still hoping.

Kailani never looked back.

And though the meeting wasn’t finished, he was. With all of it.

Benjamin rose, and without a word, he walked out.

No one here needed him. For anything.

He was going home.

* * *

“Listen, man, I get it. We all have that one family member.” John actually didn’t have that one family member, since he was family-less, but it was a line he knew most people could relate to.

He rested his hand on Liam Lee’s shoulder. Poor guy had a name with an unfortunate amount of alliteration, and also a shitty cousin. Turns out, the man Lachlan had tied to a chair in their makeshift holding cell—which was undoubtedly an improvement over being hogtied and stuffed in a laundry cart—was Liam’s cousin.

“Take me through it again,” John said.

“Please, I know I made a mistake, but I don’t… Can I talk to Ms. Iona? Apologize?”

John shook his head, frowning as if he were sad that he couldn’t do that for his new friend, Liam. “Just take me through it again, and I’ll see what I can do.”

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