Page 70 of Taboo

“You’re here to take over. She lives in England.”

“I don’t care what happens as long as she’s by my side.”

His grandfather nodded. “As it should be. I will not stand in your way.”

“You won’t?”

“No. She’s special and when the two of you are in a room together, there’s a buzz between you. That’s too special to ignore.”

“Thanks,Tutu.”

“What now?’

He gave him everything Nic had told him on the phone and how he needed to get over to the island before Jules left.

“Go on. I’ll call my friend Pete and get you a charter. You need to get Oahu.” Pete and his grandfather had been friends for years. He owned a private charter service.

“Thanks.”

He stepped up in front of Alek, settled his hand against the back of Alek’s neck, then set his forehead to his grandson’s. The traditional Hawaiian greeting, or Honi, had been used for centuries between Hawaiians. It caused his heart to turn over. When he pulled back, his grandfather’s eyes were watery with unshed tears.

“Tutu.”

He shook his head. “No. Go. Don’t lose that woman. She’s your other half.”

He nodded. As he was hurrying out of the office, his grandfather said, “I’ll text you the info for the flight.”

“Thanks again,Tutu.”

“Go, get on out of here.”

Alek hurried through the lobby, ignoring the looks, but came to a stop when he saw who was leaning up against his car. Shelley.

He had a few things to tell her and if she thought he was rude before; she had no idea just how mean he could be.

“Oh, Alek, too bad about the gossip,” she said with an evil smile. She must know Jules’ history. Shelley would be one of those types of people who hung on the word of the rags.

“Yeah, too bad that you had something to do with it.”

Her eyes widened innocently—but she couldn’t quite pull it off. Instead, it looked comical. “I have no idea what you mean by that.”

Before he answered, he sent a text to his grandfather explaining the situation. He got a text right back agreeing to what he wanted.

He turned his attention to his old girlfriend. Her porcelain skin, blue eyes, and long dark hair used to drive him wild. He couldn’t imagine life without her at the time. Now, he wanted nothing to do with the snake.

“You do, but I’m not going to argue with you about it. I’m going to say this again. I have no interest in a relationship with you. When I needed you to stand by me, you tossed me aside. You were okay getting dirty with the Hawaiian as long as he had money. Living as a military wife, well, that wasn’t quite up your alley. I would rather cut my dick off than sink it in you. And, I know you had something do to with this mess. I will find out. But in the meantime, you’ve been banned from the resort.”

It took her a couple of seconds to process her thoughts apparently. The smile faded. “You would never.”

“I just did. And don’t think you can go to my grandfather and get him to let you on again. He knows you’re the one behind the photos and malicious rumors, and he agrees. If you show up at our resort, we will call the police.”

Her mouth opened and closed. Twice.

“Now, get the fuck off my car and leave. I don’t ever want to see you again.”

It took her a second, but she finally stepped away. “You’ll regret this, Alek.”

He smiled at her. “What are you going to do? Hire someone to take pictures and stalk me?” Her frown turned darker. “But, hey, thanks, because you helped me.”

---