Darkness Past

by Sherryl Hancock

  Kashena turned around and saw Sebastian standing there. He was dressed in gym clothes and was sweating, so he’d obviously been working hard too.

  “Are you supposed to be out of bed, Ranger?” she countered.

  “I’m supposed to be taking it slow,” he said with a wry grin.

  “Do they have any idea that what you consider ‘slow’ would kill a normal man your age?”

  Sebastian laughed at that. “I doubt it,” he said, “but let’s not tell them that part, huh?”

  Kashena nodded, curling her lips in a smirk.

  “So what’s had you here for the last three hours?” Sebastian asked, sitting at the weight bench next to where Kashena was working out with free weights.

  “Checking on me?” Kashena asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

  “Christie said you came in wound up tight,” he said, gesturing toward the young blond receptionist.

  Kashena narrowed her eyes. “Christie would grab any opportunity to talk to you, Baz, you know that.”

  “Yeah, well, you are wound tight,” Sebastian said. “I can see it on your face. So what’s up, partner?”

  Kashena shook her head. “Not here,” she said, glancing around them.

  “Well, I’m done, so let’s go have a beer,” Sebastian said, nodding toward the door.

  “I’ll meet you out front in twenty,” Kashena said.

  Twenty minutes later, she was out front, having showered and changed clothes. She now wore jeans, a navy blue polo shirt with the Marine logo on it, and a baseball cap, her long hair in a ponytail at the back of her head. They went to a bar called The Monkey Bar, where they stationed themselves with their backs to the wall and ordered beers.

  “So what’s up?” Sebastian asked once they had their drinks.

  Kashena shrugged, her expression jaded. “Just couldn’t take playing second fiddle anymore.”

  “With Sierra?” Sebastian asked, surprised. “Second fiddle to who?”

  “Her husband,” Kashena said tightly.

  “Oh,” Sebastian said. “That bad, huh?”

  “That bad,” Kashena confirmed.

  Sebastian nodded, unhappy that things hadn’t worked out between them. Sierra Youngblood had certainly seemed very interested in Kashena. It bothered him that his friend had been pushed aside so easily by the other woman. But is that what really happened?

  “So what made you feel second best?” he asked, casually taking a long drink of his beer.

  Kashena looked at him for a minute, her face reflecting sarcasm. “Let’s see, lack of sex with me, and a shitload of it with him.”

  Sebastian blew his breath out. Kashena had told him about her forty-eight-hour rule, so he suspected that was what was happening.

  “He just got back from the Middle East, right?” Sebastian asked.

  “Oh, don’t fuckin’ start with that, Baz, or I swear I’ll bash your head in,” Kashena said, her tone dangerous.

  “You’re not used to sharing,” Sebastian pointed out.

  “No.”

  “You knew she was married, Kash,” he said, risking his head being caved in for him.

  She let out a deep sigh. “I know,” she said, sounding defeated. “But I didn’t think it would hurt so much to know she was fucking him.”

  Sebastian looked back at her, not pointing out the obvious. He knew Kashena knew; there was no reason to say it.

  “So, how are things going with your own lawyer?” Kashena asked, dying to get off the subject of herself—it was depressing.

  Sebastian rolled his eyes. “She’s fine,” he said, his tone noncommittal.

  “Uh-huh,” Kashena said, nodding her head knowingly. “You nail her yet?”

  “I’m not planning to nail her.”

  “Are you serious?” Kashena asked disbelievingly.

  “Yeah, I am,” he replied.

  Kashena shook her head. “Never thought I’d see the day…”

  “Don’t fuckin’ start,” he growled.

  “Don’t tell me you went for it and she turned you down.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” Sebastian said.

  Kashena raised an eyebrow at him. “So, what happened, Baz?”

  “Nothing,” he replied. “She’s just putting all her gratitude about my getting shot instead of her on my shoulders. It’s totally normal.”

  “Yeah, and you usually take full advantage of that kind of thing.”

  “How many times have I gotten shot for someone?” he asked her.

  “Once, for me,” she said, grinning.

  “And you won’t sleep with me.” He grinned back.

  “Damn right,” she said.

  “So, I don’t ‘usually’ do anything in this kind of case, okay?”

  “Okay,” she said, sensing this was a sensitive subject for him and knowing it was time to back off.

  That night, Linda came home to find her bags packed. She practically stumbled over them when she walked into Kashena’s bedroom.

  “What’s up with this?” she asked, motioning to the bags.

  Kashena, who was sitting on her bed, smoking a cigar, looked back at her for a moment, then shrugged.

  “I’m cleaning house today.”

  “Cleaning house?” Linda said sharply.

  “Yeah,” Kashena replied, her eyes like ice.

  “So, you’re leaving me for that lawyer?” Linda surmised.

  “Nope,” Kashena replied. “I broke it off with her too.”

  “So why are you doing this?”

  “Let’s just say I’m tired of being used,” Kashena said, her words more telling than her tone, which was stone cold.

  Linda couldn’t think of a reply to that. She had been using Kashena, especially lately. Things between them had been over when Kashena refused to marry her. Linda knew she’d lost then. So she’d been biding her time until she could meet up with one of her friends who would take her in. That hadn’t happened yet, so this was not the time to let Kashena kick her out.

  “Kash…” she said, putting on her best pout.

  “Don’t bother,” Kashena said. “There’s two hundred dollars in an envelope in that bag.” She pointed to the black bag on top. “Use it and get out.”

  Linda’s mouth dropped open at Kashena’s attitude. She couldn’t believe this was the same woman she’d had wrapped around her little finger just a year ago. Kashena had changed totally. A thrill went through her at Kashena’s renewed strength. This time, Linda didn’t want to leave her. Linda wanted her more than anything. It drove her crazy that she’d lost her, to a fucking lawyer, no less. Some married bitch lawyer!

  Walking over to Kashena, her look seductive, she touched Kashena’s shoulder.

  “What if I promised never to stray again?” Linda said. “You’re who I want to be with, Kashie, you know that…”

  “Well, that’s a damned shame for you, Linda,” Kashena replied sardonically, “’cause I’m not interested.”

  Linda curled her hand into a fist. Kashena merely raised an eyebrow at her.

  “I wouldn’t trust my level of control at this point,” Kashena said casually.

  “With what? Wanting to hit me or fuck me?” Linda asked, her eyes glittering with excitement, though her look was haughty.

  “I was thinking more along the lines of either killing you or just beating you senseless,” Kashena replied coolly.

  Linda stepped back involuntarily. This was not something she wanted to test. Moving back to the bags, she hastily picked up her things, looping both bags over her shoulders. She turned and looked back at Kashena.

  “You’re going to regret leaving me,” Linda said confidently.

  “Don’t count on it,” Kashena replied. “Oh, and leave my key on the dresser.”

  Linda did as Kashena told her, her movements angry. She left without another word. Kashena sat on her bed, smoking another cigar and staring at nothing. It was shaping up to be a shitty night.

  ***

  “As
you can see, the mezzanine is lovely,” the woman rattled on.

  Kana did her best to look interested, but the place was bad. It looked like the Chapel O’ Love in Vegas or something. One glance at Palani confirmed that Palani agreed with her. That was all she needed.

  “Yeah, thanks,” Kana said. “We’ll call you.”

  With that, Kana took Palani’s hand and led her out of there. In the Navigator they both burst into laughter.

  “Oh my God, I can’t believe I just took you into that place,” Palani said, shaking her head ruefully. “I’m sorry, Kana. I thought it would be better inside.”

  Kana grinned. “The fake marble on the outside should have been a giveaway, babe.”

  “I guess a name like Le Chateau was for effect, huh?”

  “And to get suckers down here.”

  “Am I a sucker?” Palani asked.

  “Only when I want you to be,” Kana replied smoothly, leaning over to kiss her.

  “Good save,” Palani replied, winking.

  Kana glanced at her watch. “What time do we have to be at the next one?”

  “Not until three,” Palani said, noticing by her watch that it was just noon.

  “Great,” Kana said, smiling, as she started the Navigator.

  She drove them to La Jolla and through the rich beach community. After taking a series of small back streets, she parked near a set of stairs. It was a spot the Gang knew well. Each of them came here when they were having a difficult time in their lives, or simply to be alone, or alone with someone. Palani smiled when she saw where they were. Kana had brought her here once before, when they’d been together the first time.

  Kana led Palani down the long wooden stairway until they got down to the huge rocks positioned just above the crashing waves. Kana was wearing jeans, her customary boots, and a black cotton shirt. Palani was wearing a long white skirt with a slit up her thigh, and a silk tank-style top in a rich rose color. They were a definite contrast. Kana sat down Indian-style, gently settling Palani on her lap. Palani leaned back against Kana, Kana’s arms around her small waist.

  “I love it here,” Palani said, sighing.

  Kana kissed Palani’s temple. Palani’s arms were over Kana’s, her hands caressing. Kana loosened her hold on Palani’s waist enough to let Palani’s fingers lace through hers. They reveled in being close. The ocean breeze was just enough to keep the sun at their back from being too warm. Waves crashing below and the cries of seagulls were the only sounds.

  Palani turned in Kana’s embrace, looking up at her.

  “I love you,” she said, her tone emotional.

  Kana smiled softly, her eyes shining.

  “I love you, too, honey.” Kana leaned down to kiss Palani, her hand reaching up to touch her cheek.

  Palani pulled back suddenly, looking around them. Kana was about to tell her that this was a fairly private area, that she didn’t need to worry about people seeing them, when Palani turned back to her with a brilliant smile.

  “Here,” she said.

  “Huh?” Kana replied, perplexed.

  “I want to get married here,” Palani said, her eyes glowing with excitement.

  Kana started to shake her head, indicating that she didn’t understand how that was going to work.

  “It will be perfect,” Palani said, her voice as excited as the look on her face. “We can be out here, with the priest, and the guests can be up on the staircase. We already decided it would be a short ceremony. Oh, Kana, it would be perfect. You love this spot. Everyone you know understands its significance… Please, Kana…” Palani said, her voice trailing off as she stared up at Kana.

  Kana was going over everything Palani had just said in her head. “You said I love this spot, that everyone I know understands its significance,” she said.

  “Kana,” Palani began, her tone softening, “we both know that although our parents will be here for the wedding, they won’t be the ones with us most of the time. The people who will be are our friends.”

  “Okay, that’s what I mean,” Kana said. “Do you consider the Gang your friends too, Palani?”

  “Of course I do,” Palani said, sounding surprised. “You didn’t think that I did?”

  Kana shrugged. “They aren’t exactly the kind of people you grew up with, or would normally hang around with.”

  “They’re like your family, Kana,” Palani said. “I love them, like I love your family. Because they are part of you.”

  Kana gazed at her girlfriend, unable to believe she’d ever lived a moment without her. She looked around them, seeing the bright blue sky, the ocean stretched out before them, the monolithic rocks around them. It was perfect. It was them—it was her, and in a way it was Palani too. The ocean was something they had in common, both of them coming from Hawaii. You couldn’t grow up on an island without either loving or hating the ocean. They both loved it.

  Finally Kana nodded. “Then this is where we’ll get married,” she said, leaning down to kiss Palani again.

  They kissed for a few minutes, then just sat and enjoyed the time together. They talked about arrangements for the wedding. Palani swore she’d handle everything.

  “Can I ask one favor?” Palani looked abashed, which always warned Kana it was going to be a big favor.

  “What?” Kana asked, her tone mockingly stern.

  “Can I pick out your outfit for the wedding?”

  “Why?” Kana asked, her voice deepening slightly.

  “Because I want to surprise you,” Palani said, smiling brightly, as if hoping to influence Kana’s own countenance.

  “I don’t like surprises, babe,” Kana said, her tone not changing.

  “Please?” Palani said with an ingenue smile.

  “Don’t do that,” Kana warned.

  “Please?” Palani repeated, her dark eyes upturned to Kana’s, her expression sweet.

  Kana squeezed her eyes shut, lifting her head away from Palani’s face. Palani started laughing, knowing that Kana was resisting with all her might.

  “Please, honey,” Palani said, going for the kill. “I just want to show everyone how beautiful my girlfriend can be. I was right with the Cosmo article, wasn’t I?”

  Kana exhaled deeply. “Fine, you win, but I swear to Pele that if you pick out a dress, I’m tossing you off this rock.”

  Palani laughed out loud. Kana would never do anything of the sort, but it was funny to hear her threaten it all the same.

  “Well, you do have incredible legs, Kana,” Palani said, sliding her hands along Kana’s jean-clad thighs. “They’d really be accentuated by a lovely pair of three-inch heels…”

  “Do it and die, little one,” Kana said, her smile menacing.

  Palani chuckled, enjoying teasing Kana.

  When they left the rocks, Kana took her to lunch at a local restaurant that overlooked the ocean. They continued to discuss ideas for the wedding.

  “We still need to find a place for the reception,” Palani said.

  “As long as it has a bar, I’m all for it,” Kana said, lifting the beer she’d ordered to her lips.

  Palani gave her a sour look. “You are not going to get drunk on our wedding night, Kana Akua Lee.”

  “If you buy me some scary-ass outfit to be stuck in all day, I just might,” Kana said.

  “That was a threat, I heard that,” Palani said, smiling.

  “That was indeed a threat, babygirl,” Kana said.

  The waitress walked up just then and cast a surreptitious glance at Kana. It was obvious she’d heard the term Kana had just used. She looked at Palani, then back at Kana. Kana’s look back at the woman was direct and challenging.

  “What can I get y’all?” the woman asked, her Southern accent thick.

  Kana and Palani exchanged a glance. Kana raised her eyebrow at Palani; Palani, holding back a laugh, nodded slightly.

  “Oysters for two,” Kana ordered pointedly.

  The woman’s mouth dropped open.

  “Welcom
e to California,” Kana said, in a far from welcoming tone.

  The woman scurried away, and Kana lifted the bottle of beer to her lips again, a look of vindication on her face.

  “Feel better?” Palani asked, her smile soft.

  “Much,” Kana said.

  Palani glanced over her shoulder and saw other people watching them. It was something she’d always been used to. Being a model, she was recognized all the time, so she was used to people watching her every move. Kana attracted a lot of attention herself with her mere presence. Police officers usually had what was called “command presence”—Kana had it in spades. Everyone noticed her.

  Palani took Kana’s hand in hers, her left hand on display. The engagement ring Kana had given her the year before sparkled on her ring finger. It was delicate petals of gold studded with tiny emeralds, then the intricately carved petals of a hibiscus flower in beautiful peach-colored coral, with a round diamond at its center. The hibiscus was detailed with tiny slivers of black. The hibiscus was the state flower of Hawaii. It was them.

  “My, we’re reckless today, aren’t we?” Kana commented as she lifted Palani’s hand to her lips, kissing it softly.

  “I’m feeling far too happy to care what anyone thinks right now,” Palani said, indicating the people watching them. “All I care about is what you think.”

  Kana looked back at her, their eyes connecting. “And I think you are beautiful,” she said, smiling down at Palani.

  Palani smiled back. “I think you are too.”

  “And I think you need glasses,” Kana said, widening her eyes.

  “Don’t make me hurt you, Sorbinno,” Palani said, narrowing hers.

  “So tough,” Kana said with a smile.

  “My girlfriend’s tough,” Palani said. “I just pretend.”

  “I know.”

  “Hey!” Palani replied, balling up her tiny fist and hitting Kana on the arm gently.

  Kana laughed, shaking her head.

  The people in the restaurant watched with varying degrees of thought. Some couldn’t help but notice the two women that were alike but so different. One so delicately beautiful she was breathtaking, the other so obviously powerful but with a strong beauty of her own.

  “Oh my God, Helen, that’s Midnight Chevalier’s bodyguard,” one woman said to her companion.