After the Storm Page 3

  The governor’s bodyguard motioned for Chase to get out of the water. “I thought we discussed this last night.”

  “I can explain.” Chase got back on shore and held up his hands. “I’ve identification in my clothes which are behind the storage shed.”

  “Right.” The man’s eyes narrowed. “Let’s go get them. If you’re lying, you’ll be fish bait.”

  Chase led the way, locating his wallet in the pocket of his jeans and handing his badge to the guard. “If you’d like to go somewhere more private, I can explain.”

  “I think the governor would like to hear.” The man put his gun away while Chase gathered his clothes.

  Ten minutes later and dressed in his uniform, Chase explained to the governor why he was on the island. “I believe I know who the man is that has been hired to kill you, but I haven’t obtained proof. My advice to you is for you to leave before the storm hits. Once it does, if we’re stranded, you’ll have nowhere to go.”

  The governor rubbed his chin. “I don’t run. This isn’t the first time my life has been threatened, and I doubt it will be the last.”

  “I can’t guarantee your safety if you stay.” Chase glanced at the bodyguard. “Maybe he’ll listen to you.”

  “I make my own decisions.” The governor paced. “Dalton, and you, are all the protection I need.”

  “I work for the resort, undercover of course.”

  “I’m sure I can contact your supervisor—”

  “I don’t think that’s wise. Right now, the suspect thinks I’m nothing more than a maintenance man. I’d like to keep it that way until I have the proof I need.”

  The governor shrugged. “Then you’ll have to do your best to protect me. I plan on staying. Where better to watch a storm than in a high scale resort?”

  “You’ll be moved to the main building, sir.” How did someone so thick headed get elected to office? “You’ll be surrounded by people.”

  “My people.”

  “And an assassin!” Chase shook his head. “I’ll do my best, along with Dalton, to keep you safe.” He stormed from the cottage. “Fool.” Stepping off the cottage lanai, Chase came face-to-face with Davis.

  “Fancy seeing you here.” The man smiled and lit a cigarette.

  “I work here.”

  Davis took a slow drag on his smoke. “What’s got you so riled? I couldn’t help but hear you call a government official a fool.” He chuckled. “Not that I disagree.”

  Chase needed to get the man away from the cottage. “Hey, if you’re not busy, I’ve something you can help me with. We’ve got preparations to make ahead of this storm.”

  Davis took another deep drag, then dropped the butt, grinding it into the gravel with the toe of his sandal. “I suppose I can help.”

  “You can start with picking that up.”

  Davis scoffed, then picked up the butt and stuck it in his pocket. “Lead on.”

  Chase led him to the main building and set the man to work pushing all moveable furniture to the far corners of the room while he worked at putting boards on the huge plate glass windows. It was a pity to block the view, but better no view than dead or injured guests. He couldn’t block the glass doors so any idiot who wanted a closeup view could look out those.

  “There you are.” Kayla stepped from her office. “Oh, good, you’ve recruited help.”

  Chase pulled her into a corner. “I don’t want this to be public knowledge, but Governor Lowery isn’t evacuating.”

  “What?” Her eyes widened. “I can’t be responsible for him and everyone else.”

  “Relax, darling. I’ll handle him.” He cupped her cheek. “Are you all right?”

  “Other than frazzled? I’m fine.” She stepped away from his touch, but didn’t look away. “I’m glad you’re here. You make me feel as if everything is going to be fine.”

  Chase wished he could give her a guarantee, but from the way the clouds were rolling in, it wasn’t going to be a smooth ride. “Did the supplies arrive?”

  “Thanks to Daniel. He’s working on trying to protect the road and bridge, along with making sure those that want to leave are safely away. He’s doing the job of four men.”

  “Once I’m finished here, I’ll go see if he needs help. I’ll drag Mr. Davis along. He’s bored.” Plus, as long as the man was with Chase, he wasn’t watching the governor. Chase could only pray he didn’t have the wrong suspect.

  Chapter 5

  She’d been so exhausted from the previous day’s preparations, Kayla fell into a deep sleep. The wail of a siren woke her the next morning before sunup. Not bothering with her uniform, she slipped into sweatpants and a sleeveless shirt. Grabbing her walkie-talkie, she left her cottage.

  Wind buffeted her, so storing it felt as if it would pull her hair from her scalp. Her clothes whipped against her body. Why had she waited until morning to head to the safe place? She grabbed the nearest solid item, a wrought iron fence post and pulled herself along using whatever secure handhold she could find.

  She’d gone to her cottage to send a report to her grandfather and fallen asleep. Waking in the middle of the night, she stripped to her underclothes and climbed into bed. Not a wise choice at this point.

  Water lapped at her feet as storm surges assaulted the beach. The bridge! Kayla fumbled for her walkie-talkie and pressed the button for Chase. Why was he her first choice whenever she needed help?

  “Check the bridge! I’m outside. I can’t make it.” She turned back to her cottage.

  “Forget the bridge. Hold on. I’m coming for you. I’m not far.” Click.

  He wasn’t either. Before she had fought her way back inside, his arm grabbed her around her waist.

  “Don’t you ever follow orders?” She glared.

  “Nope. Come on. This cottage won’t be here in another couple of hours.”

  They had to yell to be heard over the howl of the wind. Kayla screamed as a large palm frond flew past them. They needed shelter…fast.

  Water sucked at her legs as it headed back out to sea threatening to pull her off her feet. The walls of the cottage they passed heaved as if taking deep breaths before the roof blew off, leaving a trail of debris as it went. Kayla pressed closer to Chase. Even with his strength, she had a hard time staying on her feet.

  She grabbed his hand as the water tugged her legs from under her. Chase, muscles bulging under the sleeve of his uniform, pulled her back. They’d almost reached the main building when Daniel, a rope tied around his waist, came to meet them.

  “You are one crazy malihini, Miss Denton.” He took one of her hands while Chase gripped the other. “Except for the governor, you two are the only ones left out here.”

  “I’ve got to get the governor. I’ll see you inside later.” He let go of Kayla’s hand.

  “No. Chase, it’s too dangerous.” She tugged against Daniel.

  “Come on, Miss Denton.” She was no match for his brute strength. He dragged her into the building.

  She watched through the open door as Chase, hunched against the killer winds, fought his way out of her sight and into danger. She clutched the doorframe against the force of the winds, intending to stay there until he returned.

  ~

  Chase battled the elements, being beaten back more than he moved forward. No lights shined from any of the structures. They’d lost power half an hour ago. The rain increased, making visibility near zero. The drops pelleted his face, stinging like grains of sand.

  It became clear to him that he might not survive the rescue mission. Why was Governor Lowery being so obstinate about going to the safe room? If Chase died because of that sorry excuse of a politician, he’d kill him. It didn’t work to try and make light of the situation. Things were dire.

  Kayla’s face flashed in front of him. He’d just met her, but there was something there he definitely wanted to pursue. A hidden strength buried under her insecurity. He wanted to spend time exploring her and maybe, see if there could be something more.r />
  A shout through the storm caught his attention. He squinted through the rain to make out two figures coming his way. Governor Lowery and Dalton. Thank you, God.

  Chase hugged a fence post and waited for them to come to him. Once they did, he latched on to the governor, his strength fading fast. Dalton was a machine. He dragged both of them in his wake. By the time they reached the waiting Daniel, Chase wanted to do nothing more than find a place to lay down.

  Catching sight of Davis waiting just inside the door changed his mind. He’d rest, but wouldn’t let the governor out of his sight. All four of the men slid down a wall to sit on the floor. Chase fought to control his breathing and watched the storm rage.

  “You’re all right.” Kayla knelt next to him and handed him a bottle of water and a towel. “I didn’t think you’d make it back.”

  “There were times I didn’t think I would either.” He wiped his face and drank half the bottle in one guzzle. He locked gazed with her. “I saw your face. It kept me going.”

  “Really?” She moved to a sitting position. “You’re always the first person I think of when I need help. What’s going on here?”

  He shrugged. “I’d like to find out, though when this is all over.” If they survived.

  Something hit the side of the building hard enough to shake the walls. Daniel rushed to open a couple of small windows. “We’ll get water inside, but it will help equalize the pressure. Mr. Mitchell?” He motioned his head to the lanai.

  Chase groaned and climbed to his feet. Every muscle in his body protested the movement as he joined Daniel at the window.

  Wind and rain blew sideways at a hundred-and-twenty-miles per hour. Waves slapped and covered the bridge. “It’s not going to hold.”

  “Nope.” Daniel crossed his arms. “We’ll be stuck here. It’ll take at least a day, maybe two before anyone can come. There’s a boat on the western shore. If it survives, I’ll head to town when this is over and find help.”

  Kayla joined them. “That is the scariest thing I’ve ever seen.”

  Chase put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “We should be safe—”

  The bridge rose into the air and split in half by the giant hand of a hurricane. The wind hurtled a huge piece toward them.

  Chase tackled Kayla to the floor. The building shuddered as board after board slammed against it. With a mighty groan, part of the roof peeled away.

  Screams filled what was left of the common room. Kayla trembled under him. Chase held her tighter and prayed.

  When the assault from the bridge ended, he got to his feet, helping Kayla to hers and surveyed the damage. Not a lot they could do to temporarily repair the damage to the roof and wall.

  “We can move everyone to the kitchen,” Kayla suggested. “It’s in the center of the building, it’s large, and there are no windows.”

  “Good idea.” While Kayla made her way around the room letting the guests and staff know they were changing their safe zone, Chase glanced outside again. Nothing was left of the bridge. He moved to the back door. Most of the cottages were either flattened or gone. The manmade island was devastated. Kayla might never be able to recover the loss.

  ~

  Kayla stared at the destruction as the winds still raged and the rain pounded. She’d failed again. Logical or not, another resort she managed was a total loss. Her shoulders sagged as she turned and followed the last guest into the kitchen.

  Grandfather would never give her another chance. It wouldn’t matter that Mother Nature had destroyed what had taken millions of dollars to build. The only thing that would concern him was that Kayla had been the manager.

  She glanced around the pristine modern kitchen at the faces of the guests. No one had been lost. They had either evacuated or chose to follow her direction. That was the most important thing. But what if this building couldn’t withstand the storm? She’d lose them all.

  “This is a good idea.” Chase peeled off his shirt and tossed it in a corner.

  Kayla swallowed hard. The sight of his chiseled muscles almost made her forget the nightmare surrounding her.

  Chase tossed her a towel and pulled on a chef’s jacket. “You might want to get into something drier.”

  “Oh. Right.” She grabbed a promotional tee shirt from a box that had been intended for the gift shop. She couldn’t change right there as he had. She’d have to make her way to the restroom. No, the pantry would work. She glanced around for her assistant to stand guard. “Where’s Alana?”

  Chase scanned the room. “Where did you see her last?”

  “The lobby.” Kayla dropped the shirt and raced toward the pile of rubble in the corner. “Alana!”

  A faint moan came from underneath.

  Kayla dug at the scraps of wood and brick until Chase shouldered her out of the way. “Get Daniel.”

  She nodded and rushed to get the big man, returning seconds later with not only Daniel but the governor’s bodyguard. Chase muttered something under his breath and shook his head.

  Together, the three men uncovered Alana.

  “Can we move her?” Kayla wiped the rain from her eyes.

  “We have to.” Chase scooped her into his arms and moved slowly toward the kitchen. “Get back to the governor.”

  At first, she thought he was speaking to her, but when the bodyguard squeezed past them she realized her mistake. It was almost as if Chase resented the man’s help. That couldn’t be it. The large man’s strength had helped make short work of freeing Alana.

  In the kitchen, Chase laid Alana on the kitchen island. Kayla pushed in front of him and ran her hands down the young woman’s arms and legs. “I’ve had medical training. Alana? Can you hear me? Where does it hurt?” She smoothed her hair away from her pale face. A gash under her hairline bled heavily. “I need clean towels and the first aid kit. Now.”

  Chase handed her some white kitchen towels. “What can I do?”

  “Hold her still. I couldn’t feel anything broken, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a spinal injury.” When the first aid kit was set next to her, Kayla used antiseptic wipes to clean away the blood. Butterfly band-aids followed, pulling the wound closed. With the most urgent injury taken care of, she moved to cleaning the multiple scrapes on the girl’s arms and legs.

  Why had she been so close to the window? She knew the dangers of a hurricane. The last time Kayla had seen her assistant, Alana had been speaking to Bill Davis.

  Kayla glanced up and noticed the man watching her. His tanned face was stern, the eyes cold. She shivered under his gaze. Tearing herself away, she covered Alana with an unused tablecloth.

  “You did well.” Chase grinned. “You’re good under pressure.”

  “Only when it’s someone else in danger. When it’s me, I tend to panic. Crazy, right?”

  “Not really.” He pulled her in for a hug.

  While the gesture felt wonderful, she knew his focus wasn’t entirely on her. His body was stiff, his heartbeat fast. She glanced at his stony face, then followed his gaze to Bill Davis. Chase didn’t like the man, that much was clear. The question was why?

  Davis gave a salute and went to stand as close to the governor as Dalton would allow.

  Chase gave Kayla a quick squeeze, almost as if it were a habit of his, and stepped back. “Go rest. You’ve earned it.” He marched toward the men and took up a position on the other side of the governor.

  Davis narrowed his eyes.

  Something was going on right under Kayla’s nose. Something more dangerous than the hurricane.

  Chapter Six

  “I could swim it, I guess,” Daniel said, large arms crossed as he stared at the mainland.

  “Absolutely not.” Kayla shook her head. “Find the rowable boat. We have one somewhere. I will not chance you swimming across water still choppy after the storm.” She eyed the dark clouds. “I don’t think we’ve seen all this baby has to give us.”

  His gaze flicked upward. “Maybe wind and
rain. Nothing like yesterday.”

  “I hope you’re right.” She wrapped her arms around her middle, chilled from the ocean breeze. With telephone lines down, along with cell phone towers, they were cut off from the rest of the world and at nature’s mercy.

  “The boat was tied to one of the pilings on the bridge, boss. But, I’ll stroll around the island and see if it washed onshore. If not, maybe I can build a raft.” He moved away, leaving her to stare at the dark water keeping them isolated. With a heavy sigh, she turned and marched toward the main building to find Chase. She needed to know which, if any, of the cottages were habitable so some of the guests could return to their own space.

  Chase wasn’t in the main building. Kayla headed for her office where she’d had Daniel carry Alana the night before. The girl was still unconscious, but her breathing seemed regular. Kayla turned to the girl watching over Alana. “Has she woken at all, Mara?”

  “Once. She stared up at me and closed her eyes again.” The older woman’s features saddened. “She needs more medical attention than we can give her, I’m afraid.”

  “We’re working on it.” Kayla patted the other woman’s shoulder. “Let me know if there’s any change.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Kayla left the building and stood on the lanai, unclicking her radio from her belt. “Chase?”

  “Yep.”

  “Where are you?”

  “Far end of the island. I’m working on the governor’s cottage.”

  “Is he with you?”

  “No, he’s in the garden with Dalton.”

  “I’m coming.” She turned off the radio and headed across the island.

  The devastation brought tears to her eyes and a lump to her throat. While much of it could be salvaged, the fauna and walkways, the damage to the cottages would cost millions. Millions her grandfather would raise a ruckus about paying.

  No matter. If he fired Kayla, she’d empty her savings and buy a bed and breakfast to run herself. She’d find, or build, something on one of the islands, hopefully Maui. She would no longer allow her grandfather to rule her with an iron fist. No one died as a result of the hurricane, and other than Alana the other injured people would heal. Hopefully, Alana would survive, too. All because Kayla had listened to her experienced staff and put a plan into action that kept people safe. She’d done a good job.