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That didn’t mean the four men who were staying at the resort actually worked for the Brotherhood Protectors.
She hit the call button.
A man’s voice answered on the first ring. “Brotherhood Protectors, Hank Patterson speaking.”
Stunned that the head of the organization answered, Leilani couldn’t form words.
The man chuckled. “I see from the caller ID that this call originates in Hawaii. Is this Leilani Kealoha?”
“Uh. Yes, it is,” she said, pulling herself together. “And you’re Hank Patterson, the owner and founder of Brotherhood Protectors?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he responded. “I just got off the phone with one of my guys, Angelo Cortez. He said to expect a call from you. He wanted me to reassure you that he works for the Brotherhood. And he does. Granted, he and his team are new to the organization, but I served with Angelo and Reid Bennet in the Navy. They’re good men.”
“That’s nice to know,” Leilani said.
“Still not convinced we are who we say we are?” Hank asked. “I get it. It’s hard to trust anyone over a telephone call; you can’t see the truth in their eyes or read their body language. Look, can I switch us over to a video call?”
“Uh,” Leilani frowned, “I guess that will be fine.” She wasn’t sure why that would make a difference, but whatever.
Her cell phone rang with an incoming video call. When she answered, a man’s face appeared. He had dark hair, green eyes and a friendly smile.
“That’s better,” he said. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Kealoha.”
“Mr. Patterson,” she acknowledged.
“Hank?” a female voice called out in the background on Hank’s side.
Hank turned. “In here,” he responded and grinned at Leilani. “Sorry. My home is my office. The boss is calling.” He turned as a woman appeared on the screen, carrying a baby.
She had a long blond ponytail and no makeup on her face, but she was beautiful nonetheless.
Leilani recognized her immediately, and her heart skipped several beats. “You’re Sadie McClain.”
The woman smiled. “I am.” She glanced down at the baby on her hip. “This is McClain, and he needs his diaper changed.”
“And it’s my turn, isn’t it?” Hank reached for the baby. “Sadie, this is Leilani Kealoha, a potential client. Talk to her while I fix this little guy up.” He stood as he spoke. “I’ll be back.”
Sadie sank into the seat Hank had vacated. “What do you want to know?”
Leilani shook her head. “I don’t know what to ask. I’ve never spoken to a movie star before.”
“Oh, sweetie, let me tell you a secret...” Sadie leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. “You might not believe this, but,” she paused and looked over her shoulder as if someone might be eavesdropping, then she said, “we’re people, too.” Sadie laughed. “So, are you thinking you might hire the Brotherhood Protectors?”
Leilani frowned. “Not exactly. It’s not like I have money to pay them for security services.”
Sadie waved a hand at the screen. “That’s not a problem. Hank and I decided in the beginning to take all clients regardless of their ability to pay. If you need help, we provide it.”
Leilani’s eyes widened. “Seriously? I thought the guys here just wanted to volunteer while they were on vacation.”
“And that might be so.” Sadie folded her hands on the desk in front of her. “You’re on Maui, right?”
Leilani nodded.
“I read that tourists who were vacationing on Maui are volunteering as a way to help the people of Maui recover from the fires.”
“That’s true,” Leilani agreed. “So many people are homeless and unemployed.”
“I’m so sorry for what happened,” Sadie said. “I take it you’re one of those displaced people?”
