Page 89 of Faith

“I know he’s your friend, but he gives me the creeps. It makes me feel bad to admit.”

“We’ll only be an hour or so, then I can come back and kick him out.” He took her hand and pulled her into his arms.

She smiled at him. “Okay.”

He knew it probably wasn’t a good idea, but he bent his head and kissed her. He meant for it to only be a simple kiss, but he felt himself falling fast. It didn’t matter where they were when he kissed her, he didn’t seem to be able to keep it sweet. Instead, he wanted to devour her. For once, he listened to his better instincts and ended the kiss.

He heard a sound and glanced over to see Carino waiting on them. “We’ll be back before you know it.”

She nodded, and he kissed her forehead. She walked with them to the door and waited until they both got into Carino’s car before closing it.

“So, along with the call I got from Dillon, I got one from Ross,” Carino said as he started the car.

“That’s where I have seen you before. I take it you’re a member?”

He nodded. “My wife and I both are.”

“Ah.” Jensen glanced at the detective. “I would appreciate it if you keep things about my relationship with Nicola quiet.”

“Trying to keep it secret?”

“For now. I just don’t need the irritation my family would cause if it leaked out to the press.”

“They don’t approve of her?”

“Good God no. My mother would be thrilled and would start pressuring both of us. Plus, we have other issues.”

“Unless there is a reason for it to come out in the investigation, I see no reason why it should be an issue.”

“Good. Now,” he said, as Carino headed toward the heart of Waikiki, “let’s go find this bastard.”

* * *

By the timethey arrived at the hotel, Michael was already detained in his room by a couple of HPD officers. When they walked into the room, Michael’s face was white as the sheets on his bed. He looked like he had sweat out enough moisture to fill the Super Pool at the Hilton.

Anger shifted through Jensen. He curled his fingers into the palms of his hands as he tried to ignore the need to beat the man to a bloody pulp. He lunged forward, unable to really control his rage, but Carino stopped him and pushed him away.

“I don’t want to have to arrest you for assault.”

“I should have known you were behind this,” Michael spat out.

“Why would you say that?” Carino asked.

“He’s trying his best to get control of my family’s resort.”

“You’re an idiot,” Jensen said. “We already have a verbal agreement, and I would have signed the papers if you hadn’t tried to kill Nicola.”

“Nicola? You mean Ms. McCann? Why would I want to hurt her?”

“You thought it might help your cause.”

Carino shook his head and motioned for Jensen to step back. He did, but he started to pace in the small space. It was the best he could do now.

“What are you doing on Oahu?”

He glanced at Jensen. “I came here to meet the VP.”

Jensen stopped pacing. “Alfie? Why would you meet with him here?”

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