by Susan Stoker
“No worries. Jack and I will finish packing up the lunches after you leave. You’re leaving early today, right?”
“I can stay if I need to,” Lexie told her.
“No, no, no, that’s not why I asked,” Ashlyn said with another smile. “You’ve been the first one here since you got the job, and it’s been a relief for me, since I’m not a morning person. Jack is able to get his kids on the bus now, and Pika likes to surf in the mornings, so you’re doing us all a favor. We have no problem with you heading out early.”
“Whew,” Lexie said, pantomiming wiping her brow. She put down the paper bags she’d been opening to make it easier to stuff them and smiled at Ash.
“Seriously, you’re doing an amazing job and we’re glad to have you.”
“Thanks.”
“You doing anything fun this weekend?” Ash asked as they headed for the main room. It was where everyone gathered to eat, to get out of the heat for a while, and simply to chat with others. It got pretty crowded at times, and as Ash hinted, because of the stress the people they served were under, scuffles sometimes broke out. The staff did their best to mitigate that, and to calm everyone down when tempers got out of control.
“Midas is taking me to the Dole Pineapple Plantation so I can try out the maze.”
Ash rolled her eyes. “Seriously, girl. That’s for tourists.”
“Well, I am still a tourist,” Lexie said with a laugh.
“If you want something else fun to do, let me know and I’ll see what I can come up with. Better yet, ask Pika. He was born and raised here. He’ll know what all the cool kids do.”
“Thanks. I’m sure Midas and his friends have some ideas of other things that aren’t as crowded and touristy too, but so far, I’m loving everything I’ve seen and done.”
They walked into the main room, and Lexie could see immediately why Natalie had asked her to come out and help. It seemed even more crowded than usual…and there was an odd feel to the atmosphere. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but she nodded at her boss across the room, not missing the look of relief on Natalie’s face that she and Ashlyn had returned.
Lexie then looked over at Jack and Pika, who were passing out lunch boxes to those who wanted them. Each cardboard box had an apple, a small bag of chips, carrots, and a ham and cheese sandwich. They weren’t extravagant, but the food was always welcome.
For the next forty minutes, Lexie went from person to person, making small talk. Some seemed eager to chat and others completely ignored her, but she did her best to make everyone feel welcome.
Theo was there, sitting in his usual spot by himself against a far wall. His gaze constantly scanned the room as if he was looking for something, or someone. Lexie headed in his direction.
“Hello, Theo. It’s good to see you today. How are you?”
He grunted in response.
“It’s hot out today, isn’t it? I mean, it’s Hawaii, so it’s always warm, but I think today is hotter than normal. Maybe that’s why so many people are here, huh?”
“People. Lots of people.”
“Yeah, I know. Did you get something to eat? I can go and grab you an apple or sandwich if you want one.”
“I ate a sandwich.”
“Good. That’s great. Is there anything I can do for you?”
Theo looked up her then, and Lexie had to force herself not to take a step back. He had a look in his eyes that made her nervous. She wasn’t sure why. Maybe just because all his attention was focused on her.
“You’re pretty,” he said. “I like your hair.”
“Um…thanks,” Lexie replied, running a hand over her hair self-consciously. She’d tied it back in a ponytail this morning, like usual, and she could feel that it was extra crazy because of the heat and humidity.
“You should be careful,” Theo said. “There are crazy people here.”
Lexie nodded, knowing he was referring to himself as much as he was others. He knew he was different. “But everyone’s still a human being,” she said quietly. “Just because they don’t think the same as everyone else doesn’t mean they aren’t valuable.”
Theo’s head tilted and he stared at her without blinking. Lexie had no idea what was going on in his head, and she could admit that he made her nervous. She hated that, because she prided herself on not judging people, but his piercing gaze definitely made her apprehensive.
“Well, if you don’t need anything, I’m gonna talk to some of the others.”
Theo didn’t respond, and after she’d walked away and spoken to a few people nearby, she happened to glance back him. He was still watching her with an intense stare.
A group of four men entered the facility then and captured Lexie’s attention. She hadn’t seen them before, but that wasn’t too surprising. She was still new and still meeting the regulars who came to get assistance.
Jack went up to the men and greeted them, pointing toward a table near where she was standing. There were two women already sitting at the table, but they got up when the men approached.
“Welcome to Food For All. Can I get you something to eat?” Lexie asked politely.
“Fuck off,” one of the men muttered under his breath as he shoved a chair out from under the table with a foot and collapsed into it.
“I’d like something to eat,” another man said with a leer as his gaze ran up and down her body.
For the first time, Lexie felt very uncomfortable. Generally, the men and women, and even kids, who came for assistance were respectful and almost embarrassed about being there at all. But these men seemed eager to cause problems.
And also for the first time, Lexie did something she never did. She walked away without attempting to help the group any more. She didn’t know why they were here, but it didn’t look like it was to get food or apply for state assistance.
Natalie had obviously seen the men acting in a less-than-respectful manner, because Lexie saw her motion to Jack and Pika to intervene.
Lexie continued around the room, saying hello and smiling to others as she passed. She felt her phone vibrate once more in her pocket, and she pulled it out, needing a break. Backing up against a wall so she could keep an eye on the room, she smiled when she saw it was Midas calling.
“Hi.”
“Hey, beautiful. I thought I’d check in to make sure you were still going to be able to get off work at three.”
“Yup. Wait, where are you? What’s that in the background?”
Midas chuckled. “I’m on a boat headed back to base. We had a training exercise off shore today. I think the driver’s got a hot date, because he’s going damn fast. You’re hearing the waves hitting the bottom of the boat.”
“Oh, wow. Okay. Did it go well?”
“The training? Yeah. Of course. How’s your day been?”
“Interesting. Magnus called me today.”
“He did? You’re still emailing him, right?” Midas asked.
“Yeah. He said he’s gonna be in Hawaii in about a month and wanted to let me know.”
“He’s coming here?”
“Yes. Since he’s getting involved with Food For All and taking over for Dagmar. He’ll be doing site visits and stuff. He requested that this be his first assignment because he said he wanted to meet me in person.”
Midas didn’t say anything for a long moment.
“Midas? Are you still there?”
“I’m here.”
“What’s wrong?” Lexie asked.
“I think I’m jealous,” he said.
Lexie’s mouth fell open in disbelief. “Seriously?”
“Well, yeah. I mean, you’ve been emailing him fairly regular, and now he’s going out of his way to visit you.”
“Midas, he’s way older than me. I mean, like, by at least twenty years. And trust me, I’m not interested in him in that way. He’s like an older brother, or even a father figure. I feel bad for him because he’s really missing Dagmar. He’s having a hard time getting over his death. I
think he feels a connection to me since we were together so long in that desert. That’s all it is. You have nothing to be jealous about. Jeez.”
“Okay.”
She wasn’t sure if he was really okay with what she’d said or not, so she continued trying to convince him. She wasn’t upset that he was uneasy about Magnus’s place in her life. Some men got jealous—and turned mean as a result. Overbearing and abusive. But she had no doubt Midas wouldn’t be that way. However, she could imagine him pouting on whatever boat he was on, and she wanted to reassure him.
Her voice lowered so no one nearby would overhear. “Besides, the only guy I think about late at night when I’m in bed is you.”
“Yeah?” he asked.
Encouraged, she went on. “Yeah. I swear just looking at you makes me hot.”
“Shit, Lex,” he swore. “You’re killing me here.”
“For the record… I know that you aren’t dating me for sex. You’ve made that more than clear. You’ve driven me everywhere, put up with me sticking that hula doll on your dash, taken me to every touristy thing I’ve asked you to, even that luau last weekend. And you’re going to get lost in that maze at the Dole place with me, even though I’m sure it’s not how you want to spend your time.”
“I’ll be with you, so it’s exactly how I want to spend my time.”
Gah. He was so damn sweet. “Right, anyway, all I’m saying is that I get it. And I appreciate it. But… I want more.”
“More? You want me to take you somewhere else? Just say the word and we’ll go,” Midas assured her.
“I want you to take me to bed,” Lexie blurted. She thought she heard a choking noise on the other end of the line. “Midas?” She had second thoughts about being so blunt.
“Jeez, Lex. Have mercy.”
She grinned. “I just want to make sure you know you have nothing to be jealous about. You’re the only guy I want.”
“Good,” he growled.
He said something else, but Lexie’s attention was suddenly focused on movement across the room. “Hang on,” she said tensely.
“What’s going on?” he asked, any tenderness gone from his voice, as if he’d flicked a switch.
“I don’t know… Oh, shoot! Theo’s in a fight.”
“The same guy we saw on the street the a few weeks ago?”
“Yeah.”
A few women screamed, and suddenly there seemed to be a stampede away from the side of the room where the fight was happening.
“Lexie?” she heard Midas ask, but then a woman tripped over a bag someone had placed at their feet while they were at a table and smacked right into Lexie. Her phone went flying out of her hand and landed on the floor a few feet away.
More people screamed, and now it seemed as if everyone was yelling. Lexie grabbed the woman who’d run into her. “You okay?”
She nodded but immediately turned and headed for the exit, along with many of the other people who’d been in the room.
It was complete chaos for a minute or two as half the room did their best to disappear out the front doors at the same time, the other half yelling. Some were encouraging the fight, others were trying to stop it. Lexie tried to calm the few kids who were there and keep people from pushing others over and trampling them as they tried to get to the door.
Looking around, Lexie saw her phone had been kicked under a nearby table, and she scrambled on her hands and knees to grab it. “Midas?” she yelled a little hysterically when she brought it up to her ear.
“What the fuck is going on?” Midas barked, sounding a bit hysterical himself.
“It’s okay,” she said.
“Seriously, talk to me right now,” Midas ordered. “What’s happening?”
“Theo got in a fight,” she said.
“Damn him,” Midas muttered.
“No, it wasn’t his fault. I mean, I’m not one hundred percent sure if it was or not, but I’m guessing it was the other guys who came in. They weren’t very nice.”
“What does that mean? Dammit, Lexie, you need to start explaining. Pid’s on the phone with the cops right now. They need to know what they’re about to walk into.”
“He’s on the phone with the police?” Lexie asked, confused. “But you guys are on a boat in the middle of the ocean.”
“Exactly. Which means I can’t get to you as fast as I’d like. So the next best thing is sending in the police. Now tell me what’s happening so I can tell Pid, and he can tell the officers.”
“Oh, well… I think things are good now. Most of the people here left when the fight got nasty. Jack and Pika have two of the guys who were being assholes in headlocks, Ashlyn is talking to Theo and—oh shit.”
“Oh shit, what?” Midas asked impatiently.
“Natalie got her shotgun out. She keeps it back in her office. She’s keeping the other two guys from doing anything stupid. I need to go help!”
“No! You need to stay right where you are, hopefully well out of range of that shotgun or some asshole’s fists.”
“I’m okay, Midas. It’s fine. Natalie’s got the situation under control. I’ll call you when everyone’s calmed down.”
“No, Lex, don’t—”
But she’d already clicked the off button. She felt guilty about hanging up on Midas, but she really did need to help her coworkers and not hide under a table, completely useless.
She scooted out and walked to the other side of the room, heading for Ashlyn.
“Is he all right?”
“He’ll have a hell of a black eye, but damn, I had no idea Theo could fight like that,” Ash said.
Lexie looked at Theo—and this time she did take a step back when she saw the look on his face.
He. Was. Pissed.
At her? She couldn’t tell. The amount of anger emanating from the man was scary as hell. Despite that, she couldn’t take her eyes from his, and they stared at each other for a long moment.
A noise at the door broke the weird connection she and Theo seemed to have and when Lexie turned to look at the entrance, she saw half a dozen police officers headed her way with their guns drawn. Without thought, she lifted her hands in the air, letting them know she was unarmed.
She saw Theo mimic her out of the corner of her eye, but the policemen and women didn’t seem concerned about them. All their attention was on Natalie.
“Drop the weapon!”
“Put the gun down!”
Several seconds went by in confused chaos as the officers ordered Natalie to disarm, while she and Jack tried to make sure the cops knew what the hell had happened.
Thirty minutes later, Lexie was sitting at a table watching an officer talk to Natalie, another taking notes as Pika explained what had happened, and a third and fourth attempting to talk to Theo, who was sitting on the floor against the wall staring straight ahead, not talking at all. The four men who it seemed had started the altercation had been taken away to the police station. From what Lexie understood, three had active warrants and the fourth man tried to deck one of the cops, so he was arrested on the spot as well.
She’d already given her statement to an officer when the front door burst open once more.
The officers all turned to face whatever the new threat was, their hands on their weapons, but all Lexie could do was sigh in relief.
She had no idea how in the world Midas and his team had gotten downtown so quickly, especially if they’d been on a boat in the middle of the ocean somewhere, but she was so damn happy to see them, she immediately began to shake.
Midas took in the room, and the second he saw her sitting at the table, he headed in her direction. Mustang reassured the officers that they were from the Naval base as Midas hauled her up out of the chair and into his arms.
He buried his head in the crook of her neck and squeezed her almost to the point of pain.
“Ease up, Midas,” Aleck said. “You’re squishing her.”
Lexie felt his arms loosen a fraction, but he didn’t let go of
her for several moments. Then he eased back, but only far enough so he could meet her gaze. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” she said, running her hands up and down his arms soothingly.
“Fuck,” he muttered.
“Sit,” Aleck ordered. “Before you fall down.”
“I’m not gonna fall down,” Midas told his friend, turning his head to glare at him.
“Just making sure. I mean, I don’t think you even breathed the entire trip here.”
“How did you guys get here so fast?” Lexie asked.
“Fast? Shit, it took forever,” Midas said.
Aleck shook his head. “We told the guy driving the zodiac that if he got us to port in seven minutes or less, we’d give him a hundred bucks. Money talks.”
“But then you still had to get here from the base,” Lexie said in confusion.
“Yup. The Naval police gave us an escort,” Aleck said.
“Oh, man. I’m sorry, Midas. I shouldn’t have hung up on you. If I’d explained, no one would’ve had to go to so much trouble. I’ll pay back whoever paid the money to the boat guy.”
“Like hell you will,” Aleck said under his breath at the same time Midas spoke.
“You shouldn’t have hung up on me,” Midas agreed, shaking her a bit. “Do you know the hell I went through, wondering what the fuck was going on here? If you were hurt?”
“I told you I wasn’t,” Lexie explained.
“No, you didn’t. Lex, all I knew was that there was yelling and screaming, then you said there was a fight and Natalie was armed. Someone could’ve overpowered her and taken the shotgun and hurt you or the others. Shit…” he said, closing his eyes. “I’ve never been so damn scared in my life.”
And just like that, Lexie felt terrible. She hadn’t meant to scare Midas, didn’t know the man was even capable of being frightened. But looking at him now, it was obvious he’d been completely freaked out. She put her hand on his cheek. “I’m okay,” she said softly.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Aleck back away and give them some privacy.
“There we were, having a hell of an eye-opening conversation, giving me all sorts of ideas, then the next thing I know, there’s screaming and you aren’t on the other end of the phone anymore. Then you come back and say everything’s fine, except you sound hysterical and Natalie has a shotgun and you hang up on me! I swear to God, Lex, I just aged about thirty years. Please, I’m begging you, never do that again. My heart can’t take it.”
