AllFreeNovel
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Somehow I doubt that. But I let him guide me to a lounge chair in the center of the huge boat. Sitting under the canopy, I try not to think about where I am or where we are going.
“All ready?” Damien asks Kane as he grabs one of the ropes tied to the dock.
“She’s all set.”
Damien nods, helping untie the large vessel. The boat lurches in its spot before winding out of the harbor. My stomach echoes the movement. Clutching my hand over my mouth, I rush to the side of the boat in time to hurl over the edge.
Damien's at my side before I lift my head up.
“I think this is a bad omen.”
“It's not an omen,” he wraps his arm around my waist, “you're pregnant.”
For now. “Why can't I stay here?”
He runs his free hand through his hair. “Dr. Yen is the best doctor on the islands. She can help you.”
“Why can't you just fly her here?” I stare back at the harbor, the boats shrinking to tiny toys as we cross the reef into the ocean.
He sighs, leaning against the railing. “I'd rather no one know.”
I scrunch my eyebrows.
He glances down at my stomach. That's why not even Dorian knew. Why I've been on lockdown.
“You're . . . You're ashamed of it? You don't want it?”
“No.” His tone is resolute as he reaches for both my hands and turns me to face him. “I still don't believe you stole that brick.” I bite my bottom lip, unable to look at him. “Someone's got it out for me. I don't want you caught in the crosshairs.”
I swallow, my throat tight.
Dirty.
I push back the thoughts. “So, keep your friends close . . . Your enemies–”
“No.” His phone rings. He pulls it out of his pocket and answers it, our conversation done. “Moreno, hola . . . Sì, sì.” Releasing me, he turns away, running his hand through his hair before strolling up the aisle. “Tu paquete está en camino . . . No hay problemas . . .”
I stare after him, long after he disappears to the bow. The catamaran turns suddenly, rocking with the waves. Gripping my stomach and the railing, I struggle to steady myself. My stomach rolls again. Pushing it down, I make my way back to the lounge.
White chairs on a white boat. White everywhere, perfect and pristine. Except it's all a facade. A lie. We're not pristine or clean.
“Why did you run away?” Damien asks, suddenly appearing next to me.
“Huh?”
He sits down beside me. “Three years ago, why did you leave Maui?”
My head spins. Why did I tell him where I was from? I should have kept that all to myself. More lies. But he would have figured it out eventually. I was sixteen when we met. A girl, too young to be on my own, hitchhiking from beach to beach.
“Why did you leave your home?” I challenge.
He stares out at the calm water. “I never really had a home.”
“Me either.”
“Kalena, you have a mother and father that–”
“No,” I shake my head, turning to the cloudless sky as I blink back tears, “don't say it because it's not true. Just because there were people doesn't mean they're ohana. It doesn't make them family.”
