Paradise Wild (Wild At Heart Book 2)

by Christine Hartmann

  Ellie leaned into her. “Denver’s getting married.” Her voice cracked as she choked out the last words. “To Vivyenne.”

  “Oh, Ellie.” Celine rocked her gently while she sobbed. “You deserve someone better than that.” She whispered to herself. “And he’d better watch out, because I’m siccing K-Rao on his sorry ass.”

  ***

  “I thought the money would make me feel better.”

  Ellie sat with a large mug of coffee at the kitchen table amid the detritus of the prior night’s party. K-Rao and Celine reclined, looking the worse for wear, across from her.

  “But it doesn’t?” Celine raised her eyebrow. “That’s some serious cash.”

  K-Rao elbowed Celine and nodded at Ellie. “But it’s tainted money, yeah?”

  “That’s right.” Ellie shuddered. “I’d be taking money from the person who stabbed me in the back. I’d feel like a whore.”

  Celine walked to the refrigerator, pulled out a pie dish, and stared accusingly at K-Rao. “Who was at my pie last night?” She tipped the pan toward them and Ellie eyed the gouge marks left by spoons and forks. K-Rao looked at the table.

  “I might have brought it out. Just at the end. A couple of the guys were really hungry.”

  “Well, I guess you’ll be baking us another one this afternoon, right?” Celine winked, dropped the pie on the table, and fished three forks out of a drawer.

  Ellie poked at the crust. “I’m basically screwed. If I go back, I make lots of money but feel horrible. If I stay here, I have no money but feel self-righteous.”

  Celine shook her head. “That’s not the way I see it.”

  Ellie bit into a tiny piece of pie. “What do you see?”

  “I think you’re going to feel like shit no matter what you do. So take the money.”

  K-Rao turned in his chair. “My woman’s got no morals.” He kissed Celine on the cheek. “What about Ellie’s self-esteem?”

  “Let’s be clear.” Celine’s gaze flitted between Ellie and K-Rao. “For sixty-six thousand dollars, my self-esteem can go flush itself.”

  “That’s the spirit.” K-Rao spewed crumbs onto the table as he talked. “You’re a mercenary.”

  “I’m a pragmatist. What would you do?”

  K-Rao swallowed a sip of coffee. “I’d stay in San Francisco.”

  “That’s why you became a cop. You think people should always do the right thing.” Celine rolled twinkling eyes at the ceiling. “Scary.”

  Ellie’s fingers played with the end of her ponytail. “Denver lives right next door.”

  Celine slapped the table. “Behind a huge palm-tree fence. You’ll never see him. You never did before. Take the money, girl.”

  K-Rao buried his face in his hands and peeped through his fingers, grinning at Celine.

  Ellie sat up and slapped the table. “Okay. Screw Denver and Vivyenne. I will.”

  ***

  Jacqui met Ellie at baggage claim carrying Viv in his red carrier.

  “You said this little guy would be great company while you were gone. Ha. He pouted the entire time.” She passed the cat to Ellie, who unzipped the carrier and lifted him out.

  “Did you miss me?” She snuggled Viv against her face. He tried to climb onto her shoulder. Ellie laughed. “Did you bring his leash?”

  “Right here.”

  She fastened the purple collar around Viv’s chest while he purred against her.

  Jacqui walked with Ellie and Viv to the on-airport rental car shuttle.

  “How was your flight?”

  “Amazing. First class is awesome.” Ellie’s voice lacked conviction. They joined the crowd waiting for the bus.

  “But you’re not happy to be back?”

  “I feel like a slut.”

  A very pale, heavy-set woman in a floral skirt and sensible shoes peered at Ellie over her sunglasses and moved farther back in the group.

  Ellie lowered her voice. “I’m not sure I made the right choice.”

  Jacqui’s mouth twitched up in a teasing smile. “There’s hardly ever only one right choice, honey. You do the best you can and try not to hurt anybody in the process.” She waved as she walked to the outdoor parking lot. “Have fun with your new rental.”

  In the car rental lot, the engine of Ellie’s new Infinity Crossover was barely audible, and only the lights on the dash reassured her that she’d started the motor. She eased the car cautiously onto the main road, worried about tourists distracted by the view, their limited hours in paradise, or their screaming children.

  Stay in your lane and don’t hit my car.

  She gripped the wheel, her foot hovering over the break. Jacqui sped by, waving out the window of her own car. Ellie waved back and tapped the break.

  Who knew driving a fancy car would be so stressful?

  The house in Wailea seemed familiar but cold. Inside the front door, she unleashed Viv, who scuttled into the living room in search of bugs. Ellie paused, watching him bound over the furniture.

  It will get easier. You’ll walk by this door twenty times a day. You won’t always see the two of them there.

  The kitchen still looked like a bomb had gone off. Cabinets of sparkling white with frosted glass doors gleamed next to gaping holes in the wall. Ellie ran her fingers over the old marble island whose electrical circuitry and plumbing showed evidence of recent tampering.

  Brandon sat here. And Olivia…And Vivyenne.

  She spun on her heel to the bedroom but jerked to a stop at the entrance.

  I can’t sleep here.

  After half an hour of lugging her belongings from the master bedroom to the guest room, Ellie changed into a bikini and walked into the cool evening air. She willed herself not to look in the direction of Denver’s house. But the more she resisted, the more it drew her gaze. Finally, she snuck to the border and peered through the hedges and trees. The main and guesthouse bungalow were dark and silent. She heaved a sigh.

  At least he’s not here. I hope he stays away. I hope they both stay away.

  She approached the fountain and passed by her property’s own guesthouse, pushing away thoughts of Brandon. She traipsed toward the shore, hoping the ocean would wash away some of her confusion and loneliness. Instead, the light breeze wafted an odor of rotting fish.

  Stinking paradise.

  She turned on her heel and marched back into the house. Lying on the guest bed, exhausted and ill tempered, she tried to focus on piles of money. But the image that floated on the backs of her closed eyelids was Denver’s face.

  Chapter 19

  Jacqui pulled through Ellie’s gate and watched Olivia halt behind her. Olivia hefted a large paper bag from her backseat and lugged it to Jacqui’s car.

  “I got Mexican takeout, fried chicken, mac and cheese, and ice cream.”

  Jacqui grimaced. Her short skort and yoga top emphasized her athletic shape as she hoisted a woven basket effortlessly onto her shoulder. “Remind me not to send you shopping alone again.”

  Olivia’s puzzled expression made Jacqui laugh.

  “I’m not dissing your choices. It’s just the combination. Seems a bit…unusual.”

  Olivia deposited her bag carefully on the deck chair. “I didn’t know what Ellie would consider comfort food. So I tried to cover all the bases.”

  She peeked inside Jacqui’s basket. Jacqui smiled.

  “I guess I did that too. I got beer, gin, tonic, whiskey, coke, and wine coolers.”

  “Wow.”

  “Okay. Here goes nothing.” Jacqui lifted her hand to knock and then let it drop. She turned to Olivia. “Is it just me, or do you feel like something’s off? I don’t feel like she gave me the whole story about coming back here. When she left for San Francisco, I honestly didn’t think we’d see her again.”

  A breath of evening air carried the fragrance of flowers and something vaguely fishy. Olivia balanced herself on the deck chair’s wide armrest. Her blue tank top stretched tightly across her chest. She crossed her
arms.

  “I don’t know. It kind of makes sense. She said she got a raise.”

  Jacqui pushed her hands together in a prayer pose and balanced one leg against the other. “But why rub her own face in what happened in this house? How much money would it take for you to do that?”

  Olivia studied the porch lights and then surveyed the dark garden. “You could say the same thing about me. Maybe I should leave Maui. But it’s kind of comforting to be where Brandon used to be.”

  “Oh, honey.” Jacqui returned her foot to the ground. “Of course it is. But Brandon’s death was an accident. He didn’t betray you.”

  Olivia shrugged. “Maybe not intentionally. But I still have to deal with everything. He’s gone and I’m on my own.”

  In the pause that followed, Jacqui raised an eyebrow and studied Olivia’s face. “Is there something you’re not telling me, honey?”

  Olivia hoisted the paper bag onto her hip. “Nope. Let’s get in before the tacos melt the ice cream.”

  ***

  Later, the women pushed back from the kitchen island that was cluttered with take-out containers and half-empty bottles and cans. Candles flickered on the stovetop and windowsill, their wavering light creating strange shadows of contractors’ tools and spare boards that leaned here and there in the unfinished room. Ellie rummaged through the new cabinets.

  “Where did they put the bowls?”

  Olivia scooped spinach curry onto her plate and dipped a tortilla chip into the green pile. Jacqui shaded her eyes.

  “I can’t watch you mix and match cuisines anymore. Japanese pickles on the mac and cheese. Fried chicken with kimchee. Now this.”

  Jacqui’s phone rang. “Saved by the bell.” She marched into the hallway.

  Ellie returned to the counter with three yellow bowls.

  “Where’s Jacqui?”

  Olivia paused with a dripping green chip mid-air and mumbled through a half-eaten mouthful. “Someone called.”

  “You still want ice cream? I found some chocolate sauce.” Ellie held up a glass jar.

  “Can I get an amen?” Olivia gave Ellie a fist bump. “Chocolate chocolate-chip with chocolate sauce. Got any whipped cream?”

  “You’re out of control.”

  Jacqui strolled back in. She straightened her black Lycra top and hopped onto the counter, her bare, shapely legs swinging against the cabinets underneath. “I have an announcement. That was the car dealer. He’s at my place. He wants a yoga lesson.”

  Ellie stared. “In the middle of the night? I thought you broke up with him.”

  Olivia’s gaze traveled between her two friends while she ladled ice cream into a bowl.

  Jacqui held up her phone. “No breakup’s ever the end of everything. It’s only ten. And the moon’s out.” She picked up her purse. “Ladies, I hate to leave you, but professional duty calls.”

  “Ha.” Ellie threw a crumpled napkin at her. “I know exactly the kind of lesson he’s looking for at ten at night.”

  Jacqui winked. “There’s only one way to find out.” She glanced at Olivia busily pouring chocolate sauce. “Ellie, walk me out.”

  At the door, Jacqui held her arm. “I’m a little worried about our young friend.”

  “Olivia?” Ellie pushed her hair behind her ear. “She seems okay. She’s eating again.”

  Jacqui rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to tell me. But she’s holding something back. Keep your ears open.”

  Ellie saluted with a grin. “Will do.”

  “And you.” Jacqui peered into Ellie’s eyes. “You call me if you need me, okay?”

  “What? In case I forget how to do downward facing monkey?” Jacqui’s serious expression made Ellie stifle her laugh.

  “In case you forget that you’re better than Denver and he should rot in hell for making you so miserable.”

  Ellie turned so Jacqui wouldn’t see the quick, hot tears that filled her eyes. She shut the door as her friend left.

  In the kitchen, mounds of ice cream filled two bowls in front of Olivia. Ellie stopped short. “Is there a football team hiding in the bedroom that I don’t know about?” Ellie spun around her serving, observing it from all angles. “Who do you think is going to eat all this?”

  Olivia thrust a spoon at her. “You.”

  “Then I’m going to need some fresh air and a little more vodka first.” She poured herself a tumbler, covered her ice cream bowl with plastic wrap, and put it in the freezer. “Want to go out to the beach?”

  The two sauntered across the lawn, Ellie with a drink, Olivia carrying her dessert protectively. A half moon illuminated the shore, its reflection an elongated runway of bright yellow on the gently lapping ocean.

  Olivia wrinkled her nose. “What’s that stink?”

  “I wish I knew.” Ellie glanced around her. “I never noticed it before. Maybe some dead fish washed up on the beach.”

  “Eew.” Olivia shuffled her feet in the sand before sitting down. “That’s gross.” The young woman spooned ice cream into her mouth, hardly pausing to chew.

  Ellie followed Olivia’s movements with an incredulous expression. “Some people might call the current contents of your stomach gross.”

  “This?” A gob of melted chocolate plopped from Olivia’s spoon back into the bowl. “It’s old-fashioned American.”

  “On top of old-fashioned Southern, Indian, Mexican, Japanese, and Korean.”

  “I’m multi-ethnic. My mom’s Irish and my dad’s Egyptian.”

  “Then I’d understand if you were eating potatoes and fava beans. But where’d you get the taste for what you ate tonight?”

  “I’m eating because…” Olivia stopped herself in mid-sentence with another mouthful.

  Ellie buried her feet in the sand, wiggling her toes until they were merely convulsing vibrations under the smooth surface. She leaned back on her arms, gazing at the sky.

  “Look at all those stars.”

  Olivia flopped back completely, her empty bowl balanced on her stomach. “Awesome.”

  Ellie placed her drink on a rock and lay down. Above them whirled spindly clouds through which shone bright planets and stars at the edge of the sky. Ellie recognized the Orion constellation and the Big Dipper. After a few minutes, Olivia sat up.

  “I’m hungry.”

  Ellie propped her head on one arm and stared. “Is that a thing? You can’t possibly be hungry.”

  Olivia rubbed her stomach. “No. Seriously. I am.” She lifted her bowl. “Can I go get more?”

  “Be my guest.” Ellie relaxed onto the sand as Olivia sauntered toward the house.

  “Hey. Can you get me another one?” She sat up and lifted her glass. But Olivia was already at the low border of bushes that separated the beach from the main garden. She hadn’t heard. Ellie rose and cantered after her.

  The moon highlighted the shrubbery and trees, painting them a darker shade where they fell into shadow, brightening areas where its beams reached. To yell in the warm silence of the still night seemed out of place. Instead, Ellie followed Olivia’s form across the grass, slowly closing the distance.

  Olivia was approaching the fountain when Ellie noticed a movement by the guesthouse. She slowed, turned to look, and froze. The tumbler slipped from her hand and spun to the turf where it landed inaudibly and rolled gently to a stop.

  She hadn’t thought about him in days, hadn’t seen him in over a month, but she recognized the face and the limp even in the dim light. Noa.

  A chill raced through her from head to foot, making goosebumps pebble on her flesh. Noa slunk next to the guesthouse wall, wearing a tight-fitting camouflage wetsuit. One hand held what looked like a long rod, a bag, and goggles. In the other hand flashed a knife.

  Ellie’s mouth dried. Her heart pounded in her throat. She whipped her gaze from Noa to Olivia and back again. In a few steps, he would be at the front of the guesthouse with a full view of the garden. He would see both women, illuminated and exposed on the wide expanse of
grass.

  He’s been hiding here. On this property somewhere.

  Ideas blazed through her mind in less time than it took to blink. If she turned back, the bushes at the beach offered her protection. But what about Olivia? She sauntered on, oblivious, exposed, and vulnerable.

  Scream to warn her?

  Noa advanced. The knife glinted, a fleeting sparkle of silver against the dark of his thigh. If she screamed, he’d see them both. And then neither one of them might get away. Ellie froze for an instant with indecision.

  My phone’s in the house.

  She might be able to sneak past Noa if he saw Olivia. She could run to the house and call the police. But what would he do to Olivia? Ellie shuddered.

  Hide at the beach or warn her? She squinted at Noa, who peered into his dangling bag.

  Adrenaline pumped in her veins, expanding every moment, slowing time to a crawl.

  Warn her? Hide?

  She closed her eyes and held her breath for a heartbeat.

  Hide.

  Ellie opened her eyes and focused. She sped silently across the lawn, faster than she knew her legs could carry her. At the fountain, with both arms outstretched, she shoved her friend with all her might. Olivia stumbled and fell behind the hula dancer, out of sight. In the same instant as she fell, Ellie screamed. She darted away from the water sculpture, waving her arms wildly, yelling, and making a beeline for the illuminated steps of the house.

  ***

  Ellie smelled Noa closing on her before she heard him. The odor of fresh fish, seaweed, and something indescribably awful overwhelmed her before she had covered half the distance to the house. His footsteps pounded unevenly. The stench increased and suddenly a gloved hand clamped over her mouth.

  “Shut the fuck up.”

  The rough fabric tore at her face as Noa dragged her, struggling, back in the direction of the guesthouse. Ellie closed her eyes so she wouldn’t look at the fountain.

  Olivia, stay put. When he’s got me inside, get help. But for God’s sake, stay hidden till then.

  A wave of calm washed over her as she thought of her friend.