Chief Distraction

by Kelly, Stella

  “I got away. They fired at me but…” Mak pulled her away and smiled a boyish grin, “I was too fast.”

  Relief flooded her for a brief moment until panic found her face. “He’s after me. We have to run for their boat.”

  Mak took her wrist and pulled her into a fast sprint. “That’s your plan? It’s brilliant. Lets hope it works.”

  Looking back, Blythe spotted the thin balding man come over the ridge of the lookout with his gun raised. “Here he comes!” She didn’t think her legs could move any faster, but she surprised herself. His semi-automatic fired rapidly. Blythe waited for the pain of a bullet, certain it would come. She practically levitated onto the dock in her forward momentum. Mak untied the massive powerboat as Blythe jumped in and began frantically searching for the keys. “I don’t see keys, Mak!” she screamed. Her mouth went dry. This was it. They were trapped.

  “Keep looking!”

  She flipped down the visors, got down on her hands and knees and searched the floor. Nothing. Looking around desperately, she yanked open the ashtray and found them. They fumbled around her trembling fingers before hitting their mark in the ignition. “We’re good to go. Hurry Mak!”

  Without a moment to spare, Mak launched his body over the edge effortlessly and took the wheel. He turned the key as the thug gained ground, his random shots forcing Blythe to hunker down out of sight.

  “Grab that gun over there,” Mak pointed to the AK47 perched against the passenger seat. “Fire at him as I back this thing out of here!”

  Blythe took the gun, flipped down the trigger and aimed. She fired, the bullets cascading toward the dock in rapid succession and catching her completely off guard. The man was forced to stop and go low, ducking behind a boulder as the bullets ricocheted in all directions biding them more time. Mak forced the accelerator down, flooring the boat backward with a grinding whine. He cut the backward momentum once they cleared the dock, turned the wheel and threw the powerful boat into full forward throttle which tossed Blythe back onto the floor.

  “Hold on!” he shouted. “And stay down.”

  Making a wide circle toward the docked fire station rescue boat, he slowed the throttle right down. “Pass me the gun.”

  She did and he raised it, aiming at the gas tank. He fired and the rescue boat exploded on impact, forming a magnificent fireball in the sky as pieces of debris shot up and around in all directions. He pushed the accelerator all the way down and they shot out of the mess in a blast of furious speed.

  Blythe looked back, the wind whipping her hair around her face. The man was now at the end of the dock firing randomly in a last ditch attempt. It was no use. They were free.

  Mak let out a long ‘Woo hoo!’ as he fist-pumped the air in triumph. The freedom of the moment surged through Blythe as the exhaustion of their ordeal knocked her back against the white leather banquette. She held on as he turned wide around the second dock and sped away from the island – away from certain death. Holding on for dear life, they looked at each other with a knowing relief.

  The sound of approaching sirens caught their attention as the familiar Coast Guard boat drew closer and finally reached them. Two more Coast Guard vessels were speeding up close behind. Mak slowed the boat to a stop, allowing an officer to board. Mak then explained everything.

  The Coast Guard radioed for more back-up and the coroner as Mak and Blythe were transferred to the second Coast Guard vessel and treated with proper first aid. Pono stood on the deck, relief etched on his face. “Chief, got a few calls from the public saying they saw an explosion out on Kahoolawe last night. When I saw that the rescue boat hadn’t returned this morning, I made a few calls for backup. Happy I did!”

  Mak slapped Pono on the back. “You and me both, my friend. Thank you.”

  “We were already on our way when your mayday came in this morning. Good thing by the look of it, although you two seemed to pull off a rescue without us. You work well together.” Pono winked at Mak as the boat turned back for Maui.

  Chapter Twenty

  The boat ride back to Maui was grueling. The paramedic patched them up, the cuts and bruises taking on deep blues and purples after their seventeen-hour ordeal. Thinking back, the experience felt like mere minutes while Mak lived it, but a lifetime ago since it all began. So much had happened between he and Blythe in such a short span. Meaningful things.

  The boat bounced as it cut through the choppy waves. The rough waters soon gave way to clear aqua glass once they rounded the east side of the island – a place Mak swore never to visit again – and headed for shore. Looking over at her from across the back of the Coast Guard rescue boat, he was impressed and proud. She was bundled up in a navy blanket, her shock wearing off in the aftermath. He thought of how she’d reacted during his absence, when she though he’d been shot and left for dead. She hadn’t cowered away in the lookout, waiting out an inevitable attack. She’d taken matters into her own hands and was prepared to die fighting rather than huddle into a defenseless shell of herself. She’d become a real fighter. He admired how strong and capable she was – how loving and sexy too. But above all else, she was a survivor. A survivor he’d fallen in love with.

  “Some story, huh?” he called across the drone of the motor.

  Blythe smiled and shook her head. “Not mine. Someone else can write this one. Too close for comfort.”

  Mak winked.

  <><><>

  Leaning over the sink at the precinct, Blythe cupped the lukewarm water in her hands and splashed her face, the act refreshing and long overdue. If only the water would wash her sadness down the drain. She’d have to tell him. One way or another, he had to know. They’d come too far to just walk away. Blythe knew this was so much more than simply being thrown together in a life or death scenario. She’d felt something before they’d even left for that damn island of landmines, wild fires, and dangerous criminals. Their own little fire had been stoked, however small and hidden. It smoldered, and now her feelings for Mak ramped to a fever pitch. It was a burning inferno within her and only he could douse the licking flames.

  It was Mak or nothing.

  The Coast Guard had brought them directly to the police station, needing to gather as much information as possible in order to convict the remaining gun smuggler’s who were now detained and en route to the station. She wondered if Mak had already been questioned and was now on his way to the fire station or if he was still in the building. She wanted to touch base with him somehow – or say goodbye. Any kind of contact would do. After all they’d been through, being yanked apart left her feeling disjointed and vulnerable.

  Blythe left the washroom and was greeted by a tall brunette woman. “Miss Davenport, I’m Detective Aliha. We have a few questions to ask before letting you go. If you wouldn’t mind following me.”

  The detective led the way down a long hall toward an open door. The woman was fit and attractive, a real Hawaiian beauty and Blythe admired her stylish outfit.

  “Is Chief Kalani here too?” Blythe asked.

  Without a word, Detective Aliha smiled and kept walking. Blythe soon had her answer as the stunning woman led her through the open door into a spacious room.

  “Just over here, Miss Davenport, have a seat.” Detective Aliha indicated a chair beside Mak. Mak got up and pulled it out for her. Blythe smiled, smitten with the act. The female detective noticed too.

  “There aren’t enough gentlemen around anymore. Mak’s one of the few.”

  Mak winked at her and Blythe felt her insides crumble. Was he flirting with the officer now? And why were they so casual and familiar with each other?

  “Detective Aliha’s dating my brother. Remember I told you he’s a cop?”

  Blythe felt a rush of relief. “Yes, I remember.”

  A second later a handsome man walked in carrying two cups of coffee. Blythe could tell right away he was Mak’s brother, the resemblance unmistakable. Mak’s chair scraped back as he stood and took the cups. He placed them down on
the table and the men embraced in a brotherly way, their strapping bodies slapping each other on the back. “I was worried, Mak.”

  “I’m fine,” Mak said, pulling away. He turned to Blythe. “This is my younger brother, Officer Noki Kalani.”

  Blythe stood and shook his firm hand while comparing their similarities. Both brothers were handsome beyond measure and physically superior to just about everyone she’d ever met. Meeting Noki made being here with Mak seem real, genuine. A moment later, hollers and chatter were heard from down the hall and two small boys raced into the room, spotted Mak and dove in for a hug. Mak wrapped his arms around the boys, kissing their foreheads and laughing.

  “Anakala Mak, we thought you were dead!”

  “Nope, not me. Can’t get rid of me that easily.”

  “Mak,” came a cry from the doorway.

  Mak brought the woman into an embrace and again Blythe’s insides lurched. Was this a girlfriend he’d forgotten to mention?

  Mak turned to face her. “Blythe, this is my sister, Shayla. And you already know my nephews.”

  Blythe smiled warmly, embarrassed by the state of herself. She looked like she’d been through the ringer…strike that…she had been through the ringer. “Nice to meet you.” Blythe watched as the siblings embraced again and talked of Mak’s close call on the island. Everyone commented on the gash in Mak’s eyebrow and how it was probably too late for stitches.

  “Builds character,” they said in unison.

  Detective Aliha took a few notes as Blythe shared her story, allowing Mak to add to it here and there. Together they filled in the gaps for the report Mak had already filled out.

  “Would you like to speak to our Police Psychologist?” asked Detective Aliha. “You’ve been through a very traumatic experience.”

  “No, thank you. I’m fine.”

  An officer came to the door and offered to drive Blythe home.

  “Oh, sure. Thanks,” she said, looking over at Mak. She wasn’t ready to leave his side just yet after all they’d been through together.

  “I’ll drive you home,” Mak offered without skipping a beat.

  “In what?” Noki asked. “You came by boat, remember?”

  “A boat I had to blow up to prevent the smuggler’s from escaping in,” Mak laughed.

  “Besides, we still have a few more questions for you and we need you to identify the smugglers when they arrive. You’ll be here another few hours at least, Mak.”

  “I’ll take that ride then, thanks,” Blythe addressed the officer.

  Mak remained standing and followed her and the officer into the hallway. The officer picked up the cues and waited a discrete distance away. Mak leaned into her ear. “If you ever need to talk to me about anything, Blythe, you know where to find me. I’m so sorry about Lou too.”

  “Mak!” Noki called from the doorway, a cell phone to his ear. “They’re here.”

  “Can I call you later?” Mak asked, holding her gaze.

  Disappointed but willing to take what she could get from him, Blythe nodded and smiled. He disappeared into the room again, leaving her standing in the hallway feeling like the floor had just opened up and swallowed her whole. “I’m ready now,” she said to the waiting officer.

  On the way back to her house in Wailea, Blythe thought back on their harrowing adventure. She was exhausted, yet grateful for her second chance at life. Whether she would get a second chance with Mak was another story – a story she hadn’t written and couldn’t fathom an ending to. She was finally ready to reveal her secret. In a day or two, she would tell him, even if he never spoke to her again. It had to be done.

  Thanking the officer, she turned to face the house she never thought she’d see again. Trudging up the front steps of the porch, she was home, safe and sound. Quickly locking the door behind her, Blythe stripped out of her clothes on the way to the bathroom, haphazardly throwing each garment on the floor. She sat under the scalding hot shower for a good half hour, the water running her disbelief down the drain. Crying over Lou in the shower seemed to help.

  She fixed herself a simple meal and called Rachel, therapeutically rehashing every detail of the ordeal as a way to get it off her chest. The story would be out by morning, undoubtedly hitting the mainland newspapers too. She wanted to give her family a heads up and assure them she was safe.

  “So, the Fire Chief, huh?” Rachel teased, trying to add levity to the heavy experience Blythe had just endured. “I knew you guys would have chemistry. That’s some curse you subjected yourself to. Will you see him again?”

  “I don’t know, Rach. I really don’t know.”

  Blythe lowered all the blinds in the house to the bright sunlight and crawled into her soft, cozy bed in the late afternoon. She slipped into a deep, soothing sleep that let her escape the flashbacks of Lou’s death, being attacked, and being shot at and pursued by murdering smugglers. Blissful ribbons of memory took root as she slept. Mak’s eyes devouring her, his smile, that dimple, and the way his touch blazed against her skin consumed her dreams. It was the knock at the door that finally pulled her from her slumber. Disoriented, she bolted upright. The room had grown dark in the hours she’d slept. Fumbling for her robe, she walked toward the door but then hesitated. Had they let the smuggler’s go? Was her attacker standing on her porch waiting to be let in so he could finish the job? There was no way in hell she was answering that door.

  “Blythe, it’s Mak.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Unlocking the deadbolt, Blythe opened the door to reveal a hulking, clean-shaven Fire Chief.

  “Hi,” he grinned flirtatiously.

  Their eyes locked in a knowing need. She stepped aside, letting him in. Mak kicked off his sandals, his intentions of staying for a while beyond debate.

  “I’m here on business,” he announced, stepping in really close. “Official unfinished business.”

  Blythe went up on tiptoe, her mouth hovering at his, “Better finish me off then.” She brought her nose to his neck and inhaled deeply, enjoying the lingering scent of soap. There was nothing better than the smell of clean male skin. She kissed her way up to his mouth, their tongues entwining in a dance as old as time. Need coursed through them, pulsing to a beat of unquenchable lust.

  He backed her up against the living room wall and tenderly stroked her cheek with one hand while pulling the neatly tied bow of her robe apart. The garment fell open to expose her supple body.

  “Mmm, easy access,” Mak whispered before taking her earlobe into his mouth. He moved closer still, slipping his hand inside the robe and sliding it around her smooth waist. He drew her close with a tug, her breath catching as their eyes held a knowing gaze of shared need.

  “I’ve been waiting for you,” she whispered.

  “I’ve been waiting for you my entire life,” Mak groaned.

  She thread her fingers through his thick dark hair as she brought her parted lips to his again, only this time the kiss was slow and seductively deep.

  Mak pulled away and moistened his lips. He placed both hands on the wall on either side of her head, kissing her gently before pressing his entire body against her with a forceful kiss, almost aggressive, his sudden weight thrilling her. His tongue plunged deeper into her mouth, possessing it. Her nipples tightened in the cool air as her robe flapped open. Need raged down low. She thought her knees might buckle from the excitement, her mind losing awareness as she lost herself in Mak’s embrace. Kissing him back recklessly, she dug her fingernails into his shoulders as his hands slid down her body, exploring, before squeezing her firm backside and drawing her as close as possible.

  Feeling his thick, aroused manhood pressing up against her, her excitement peaked at the prospect of having him inside her as soon as was humanly possible. His hand travelled over her flat stomach to the hot heat of her privates. She gasped and spread her legs, accommodating his reach.

  “You’re so beautiful, Blythe. Not here. Let’s do this properly.”

  She
wrapped her arms around his neck as he swept her up in his arms and carried her through the house to the bedroom. This was their time, uninterrupted. Without the dangers of being chased or shot at or attacked, the splendor of the moment was liberating.

  Laying her on the bed, he peeled back her robe. Sitting back on his heels, he took in the view of her smooth body, his seductive expression her personal aphrodisiac. In one fluid motion, he peeled off his shirt and threw it down. Leaning over her, he kissed and nibbled her bare stomach as she twisted his hair threw her fingers before letting go and placing her arms up above her. She pushed against the headboard, arching slightly and inviting his touch. Mak bought his mouth to one mounded breast while cupping the other firmly. She arched more, begging for it. Pleasure exploded through her body with each swirl of his talented tongue.

  The heat between her legs increased, a yearning for something – anything. Mak ran a hand down her firm belly until he hit his mark, Blythe’s audible moan a soundtrack to his success. He stroked her caressingly, respectfully attending to her every desire. She moaned louder, which turned him on even more if it were possible. He sensed she needed to feel wanted, protected. In turn, he wanted to fulfill those needs. He would make it his mission. Mak watched her expression as his fingertips caressed the ready flesh. At his touch, Blythe’s cheeks flushed with passion and her eyes locked onto his, her breath accelerating.

  His strum intensified until she cried out in ecstasy, arching and riding out the explosive sensation. Her cries were muffled with his hot mouth as he shifted his weight onto her thrillingly. She could kiss him for hours. Reaching down, she unbuckled his jeans and tried shoving them down his body.

  “Hold on,” he stammered. He hopped off the bed and shimmied his jeans off the rest of the way, revealing colorful boxers, his throbbing manhood tenting at attention. Mak slid them off too and stood beside the bed for a minute as her eyes scanned the length of his top-notch physique. She was a lucky girl and she knew it. He leaned forward, allowing her room to reach out and touch his magnificence, her touch driving him wild.