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All family relationships are complicated. But I think theirs rates a step above traditional sibling dynamics.
“Hello, Mac,” Keahi calls out. “Long time no see. Miss me?”
MacManus doesn’t take the bait. He drags Elias to the screens facing the dock, where the bodyguard makes a quick inspection of the rifle, Aolani standing mutely to the side.
“Ahh, you’re going to put a bullet in my brain? From all the way over there? Where’s the fun in that?” Keahi simpers, batting her eyes coquettishly. “I miss our little spats, Mac. You should know you were the only man that ever offered up a challenge.
“But you never should’ve touched my sister.”
Elias works the bolt action, squeezes the trigger. We all recoil at the sharp retort. Beside Keahi, the light pole splinters on impact.
“Sight’s off.” Elias hastily lowers the rifle, starts fiddling.
“Too little, too late,” Keahi calls out. She hasn’t so much as flinched. I return my attention to Leilani, who is practically vibrating with stress, excitement, something. Now’s the moment for her to make a break for it. MacManus is distracted, we’re all distracted, her sister is right there.
Instead, Leilani fists her hands at her sides. She can’t take her eyes off big sis. But she doesn’t make any move to join her.
Something is wrong here. I sense it. Vaughn and Ronin are antsy as well. But what, how…
Elias settles the rifle against his shoulder. Racks the next bullet into the chamber.
Charlie bursts into the dining area from the kitchen. “Run! Now! Get out, get out, get out.”
Just in time for a wall of flame to explode in the kitchen with a giant whoosh. The gas cans, I realize. She wasn’t going to use them. She already had.
Vaughn and Ronin leap to Marilee’s side, hoisting her up between them, while Aolani quickly ushers everyone toward the left side exit. Charlie races out before them, shotgun at the ready, as people begin to pour into the exposed strip of land between the mess hall and the jungle-fringed ocean.
At the front of the dining room, Elias remains poised with the rifle, MacManus at his shoulder. Elias pulls the trigger. Another sharp retort, causing screams from the remaining people still scrambling for the exit.
The sound of Keahi’s laughter floats above the thick black smoke.
“You forgot, Mac. I’ve always been an ambush predator. Now, welcome to the main event.”
At which point more gunfire erupts from outside.
CHAPTER 35
CHARLIE’S DOWN.
I can just make out his crumpled form at the rear corner of the building. More screaming. With that way blocked, people have only two options: head toward the front, which brings them closer to Keahi, or crash into the narrow border of palm trees and vegetation between the mess hall and the water, which had just been used for comfort breaks. People barrel deeper into the underbrush.
Aolani sprints toward Charlie, bending down swiftly to check on him, then grabbing the fallen shotgun. She casts me a glance over her shoulder, and I nod in response. She is now point, while I tend to the wounded man as medic.
Charlie is gasping, so at least I know he’s alive. “Brent,” he gets out. “Waiting for me. Shoulda… fired faster.”
All the activity has triggered the outdoor floodlights. Tucked beside the building, we’re in a vector of half light, half shadow. I can see Charlie’s face. I have to feel for his wound. His right shoulder, soaking wet. I can already smell the blood.
I will not panic. I will not break down. This is not that.
Shut up and focus.
Aolani is crouched low before me. She creeps forward a first step, then another, slowly peering around the corner of the building. “Where?” she whispers over her shoulder.
“Tree. Nine o’clock,” Charlie manages.
She rotates in that direction. I know what Charlie’s talking about. The triangle of palm trees and greenery marking the apex between the main path and forking trail leading to the rear of the mess hall. I cough as the first acrid wave of smoke hits me.
From this position, I can feel the heat but not see any flames from the explosion, which started on the other side of the building. Visibility, however, is reducing quickly as waves of heavy gray smoke funnel across. I’m not sure what’s making the blaze so smoky but I am guessing it has something to do with accelerant-fed fire versus damp and moldy wood.
