I can see it so clearly it makes me feel sick.
The beach. The waiting. The van left alone.
“They were waiting to see if I’d be alone,” I say. “And maybe when I wasn’t, they went back and finished it.” My fingers flattenagainst the table. I concentrate on the wood under my palms. On breathing in. Out. In.
North’s dark eyes hold mine. “Who’s after you, Adelaide?”
I stare out at the ocean. The beautiful, indifferent, endlessly blue Pacific doing its thing with zero awareness of or interest in my problems.
“I don’t know,” I answer. It’s technically true.
Ace, across the table, is watching me with those green-gold eyes. “Stay with us,” he urges. “A few days, until the van is sorted and we figure out what’s going on. We’ve got space. Separate from the main house so you have your freedom.”
“That’s—” I shake my head. “No, if they followed me here, they could follow me to yours, and then I’d be bringing this to your door and?—”
“Our place has security,” North says. “And trust me, they don’t want to deal with us.”
“And anyone who tries something on our property,” Luca adds, in the tone of a man describing a straightforward, practical matter, “is going to have a very unpleasant time.”
I believe him completely; that’s the problem.
I sit there and think about Daniel texting me, saying,Don’t do anything stupid. Don’t go anywhere.I think about four slashed tires, Clio’s apartment, and how much I don’t want any of my mess anywhere near them. I haven’t been to Clio’s for the last two weeks, and I never told Daniel her surname, so I’m hoping that means he can’t track her town as he searches for me.
Then there are these three men I met on surfboards, who didn’t ask questions when I paddled up to them with a problem. Even now, they’re still here, still helping, still offering to take me in and give me a room at their place.
And I hate how tempting that is because every instinct I have says,Don’t do it.Don’t rely on anyone or hand people the sharp edge of your life and trust them not to bleed for it.Since arrivingin Oahu, I’ve spent weeks moving, adjusting, staying light on my feet, and none of that fits with going home with three Alphas I barely know.
But smart choices are becoming scarce.
My van is out. I won’t endanger Clio. Hotels could be dangerous. Whoever is after me knows where I am. So the thought of staying anywhere alone tonight turns my stomach.
I don’t really have a choice, not one I can live with, anyway. “I need to send my friend your details first,” I say. “All of you. Names, address. If I go missing, she reports it.”
Luca doesn’t blink. “Smart.”
He glances at the other two, and all three of them pull out their IDs. I notice that they have no photos on them, but they have names and addresses. The guys set them on the table so fast and neatly that it’s almost ridiculous. Coordinated enough to be funny if I weren’t busy deciding whether I’m having a lapse in judgment or just adapting to disaster.
I photograph them anyway and type Clio a message.Just in case I ever go missing. Three men, including Ace. I’m staying with them for a few days. I’ll explain later, promise.
“Okay,” I say finally and push back my chair. “I’ll take you up on that offer.”
Luca is already on his feet.
My phone starts buzzing immediately. Clio. Message after message.What’s going on? Seriously, Adelaide. Can you actually trust them?
I stare at the screen for a second longer than I should. But I trust the way Luca didn’t hesitate when he saw the van. I trust the way North watches everything. I trust the fact that Ace was so upset that I’d ditched him on the plane. Sure, they could be over-obsessed, but they seem caring. I hope I’m not making a mistake.
I type back. Yes, and I’ll call you later.Then I grab my backpack and swing it over my shoulder.
Ace and North are still at the table as Luca starts steering us toward the door. I glance back. They’re both watching me with that same focused, unreadable attention, as if they know this is difficult for me.
I turn and follow Luca out into the warm Hawaiian afternoon, my pulse still too high, my life a mess, and one thought keeps circling through my mind.
I’m absolutely in over my head.
The only question left is whether agreeing to stay with them is the stupidest thing I’ve done today… or the only smart one.
Given the four slashed tires, I’m going with smart.
