Page 6 of Forbidden Hawaiian Nights
Some of her nerves eased as she rationalised her reactions. She also could not let herself forget that he was also her boss, and in his hands lay the power to make or break her.
She would have to temper her responses, she thought. She was going to have to act like an adult and be as cool, collected and self-assured as he was.
Or, at any rate, she was going to have to try.
Without betraying her friend’s confidences.
‘You do realise,’ Max said, ‘that, whilst it would be preferable not to involve a private investigator to handle this situation—which is something I’d hoped to avoid by approaching you directly—that remains an option.’
‘She’s not in any…trouble.’ Mia grudgingly gave way. ‘I mean, just in case you’re thinking that she might have become involved in anything…dangerous.’
‘Define dangerous.’
Mia looked at him. He was so…self-controlled. She could understand now how Izzy had managed to find herself in a place where she would rather not have been, in a job that did not cater for her creativity. Max Stowe exuded the aura of someone who didn’t brook too much disagreement, someone who expected orders to be obeyed.
‘She’s not into drugs,’ Mia said bluntly. ‘And she hasn’t done anything illegal. Not at all. You should know that. You’re her brother.’
She was surprised at the dark flush that appeared on his high cheekbones.
‘There is a considerable age difference between us,’ he returned stiffly. ‘Twelve years. Our relationship is possibly a little more formal than you might expect.’
‘Why is that?’ Mia heard herself ask.
Max looked at her with thinly veiled incredulity, and she was surprised to realise that she had overstepped the boundaries with that simple, innocuous question.
‘None of my business.’ She shrugged and he nodded curtly in agreement.
‘No. It’s not. You refuse to tell me the whereabouts of my sister. You think it’s enough for you to say that she is not in a dangerous situation. Why should I believe you?’
‘Because I’m telling the truth. I wish I could tell you why your sister needed a bit of space, but it would be breaking a confidence. All I can say is that she doesn’t plan on staying away for ever.’
‘There are no problems I would not be able to handle,’ Max said flatly, his cold, deep voice oozing such supreme self-confidence that Mia’s mouth fell open. ‘Izzy should know that. When it comes to sorting things out, I have never let either her or my brother down.’
Mia clicked her tongue impatiently and wondered how someone evidently so astute could also be so dense. She raised her eyebrows but remained silent until he said irritably, ‘If you have something to say, then I suggest you just go ahead and say it.’
‘I got the impression that you’re not that keen on people speaking their minds,’ Mia murmured.
‘It’s strange because, if that’s the impression you have about me, then you’re obviously undeterred by it,’ he returned bluntly, and she blushed.
‘Izzy doesn’t want you sorting her out,’ she confessed. ‘She hasn’t just taken time out—she specifically asked me to make sure you didn’t try and locate her. She wants a bit of time and you’d be making a big mistake, in my opinion, if you didn’t give it to her…’
CHAPTER TWO
‘SHE SPECIFICALLY ASKED YOU…to make sure I didn’t follow her…?’
Frustration, bewilderment and something else tore through him, something ill-defined that pressed uncomfortably behind his ribcage.
He had done his utmost for his siblings. When their parents had died twelve years ago, Izzy had been just ten and he had been twenty-two, the same age she was now. Young and fresh out of university, ready to spread his wings. Fate had had other plans in store. His parents had been killed in their light aeroplane, which they had insisted on taking out despite poor weather conditions.
In a heartbeat, Max had found himself catapulted out of his youth and into instant, responsible adulthood. It had fallen to him to become caretaker to both his siblings and he had done so without complaint. He had done his utmost to make sure that their lives remained as steady as possible whilst he had put every thought he had ever vaguely had of taking time out on permanent hold.
Of course it had helped that his parents, both wealthy in their own right, had left behind a company in reasonably good health, thanks to delegation. Because his father, from memory, had never graced the inside of his office as he’d spent most of his time having fun.
Truthfully, Max had never surfaced from the weight of having to provide for his younger siblings.
And now his sister…didn’t want him finding her?
He had made sure to take care of her! He had guided her through her life choices and arranged this job for her here! How many girls fresh out of university were given the golden opportunity to use their business degree to set up a boutique hotel in Hawaii with only a few guidelines and minimal supervision, free to make their own mark and prove their worth?
