Page 2 of Trust

A sinking feeling hit Jakob as he realized who this woman was.

“So, you’ve met my little sista, Lani?”

Well, fuck.

One

Lani Kingston did everything in her power not to show how irritated she was with the interview she had been forced into. The lights were hot. She was sure she was sweating like a baboon in heat, and the host…well, he was annoying.

“So, one last question,” Devon Peters said, flashing that million-dollar smile. Lani was surprised that he hadn’t blinded her with how white his teeth were. He wore a Hawaiian shirt but didn’t look right in it. It was as if he were dressed up for a costume party. She knew he was a haole, or newcomer, to the islands, but she felt as if he looked down on their culture.

“Of course.”

It wasn’t like she could tell him to get bent. She was on camera, and one thing she would never do as head of PR at Kingston Surfing was cause a scandal.

“With your brother getting married this weekend, there’s been speculation about you and Rick Bellows.”

She held her smile even as her stomach twisted in knots. Lani knew the question was going to come, and having to deal with speculation about Rick was something she was used to. However, since her brother started planning his wedding, therehad been more speculation on social media about him and Royal.

“Has there been?”

Yep, this guy always treated her like she was an idiot. Fluff reporters like him never stood a chance with her. She might run the PR for their company, but she also had a law degree.

Granted, there was no chance of a wedding—not when he couldn’t keep it in his pants. She would never again date someone like Rick. It had been her own fault. He had been asking her out for about nine months when she finally gave in. The reason for that was too embarrassing to think about.

“That’s not a no.”

That shark smile was getting on her nerves. She’d been dealing with men like him for years. Peters thought he was an apex predator when he wasn’t even a beta male.

“Was there a question? I think that was more of a statement.” He opened his mouth, but she decided to end his stupid speculation. “And besides, this has nothing to do with Kingston Surfing.”

“Rick Bellows is your top surfer.”

“True. But I didn’t ask about your latest date…or should I say scandal.”

What little color he had on his face seemed to vanish. That’s right. She never went into an interview without some information about the reporter. Not that everyone on Oahu didn’t know that Peters was going through a nasty divorce since he had been caught by his soon-to-be ex-wife with his producer.

“That’s not pertinent to the interview.”

“And neither is my relationship with Rick. I’m sure you understand about keeping things professional.”

The interview lasted for a few minutes as she answered a couple more questions about the invitational, and then they ended it.

Once the cameras were off, Peters’ stupid smile vanished. “Not cool, Lani.”

She blinked at him. “What? Not wanting to answer questions about my relationship with Rick? It’s almost like I’m held to another standard than any man.”

He sniffed—actually sniffed—at her. “Your relationship has a lot to do with the company. Your company sponsors him.”

“Then ask him about it. Or maybe you would like me to have my brother talk to you.”

His eyes widened. “N-no.”

Yeah, her brother was a massive threat, but it was just that, a threat. Her brother was too wrapped up in his wedding, and soon-to-be wife to even care what was going on with her. Although, she was sure she would get a call later from him complaining. These days, he never hesitated to blast her for one thing or another. Still, he held much power on the island, especially advertising power. Peters knew that it could sink his already dwindling career.

“Now, I have some things to do for my brother’s wedding, if you don’t mind.”

He nodded, and she headed out of the studio. Maybe she imagined it, but a few women smiled brighter as she passed. Yeah, Peters wasn’t well-liked. He had a reputation for being a slobbering drunk who couldn’t keep it in his pants.

---