Beach My Life Read online

  She nodded.

  Holt sprinted back to the Palekaiko resort. His phone rang just as he was rounding the corner into the lobby.

  “Oh,” Amelia said, hanging up the phone. “I was just calling you.”

  Amelia was a pretty blond with enough energy to fuel a dozen cars. She was their concierge and did her job well. Why she married a slacker like Dude was beyond Holt’s imagination.

  “Has anyone been looking for Joely?” Holt said.

  “Just you.” Amelia narrowed her eyes at him. “Why? What’s going on?”

  “I don’t know yet, but she’s afraid of the guy in 418. He’s a Minnesota senator named Timothy Andrews. Can you reiterate with the staff that it’s against company policy to give out any personal information about a staff member to a guest?”

  “Sure. Is everything all right?”

  Holt nodded. “It will be. But for right now, Joely and I are taking the day off.”

  “You are?” Amelia looked shocked.

  Holt knew he didn’t take time for himself ever and certainly not with Joely, but she didn’t have to look so surprised. “Just keep it on the down low. I’ll have my cell phone on me for emergencies, though. I’ll fill Dude in on everything later.”

  “I want to be there when you do. Be careful.”

  He nodded, and took his keys off the peg from behind the concierge desk.

  “Hey, Holt,” Hani, the bell captain, said.

  Looking up, Holt saw that Hani was leading a guest towards him. He wasn’t surprised to recognize Senator Andrews from his driver’s license photo. Assessing the man, Holt wasn’t impressed. Andrews was tall, but flabby, and he had a mean look about him.

  A bully.

  Rising up to his full height, Holt let them come to him. “Yes?” he said, politely. Maybe he’d be able to find out why Joely was so afraid of this asshole.

  “This is Senator Andrews. He’s looking for someone. I didn’t recognize her, but I figured you might.” Hani turned to the senator. “Holt is the director of security. He knows everyone.”

  “Thank you,” Andrews rapped out curtly. “You may go.”

  Hani’s face was schooled in polite disinterest as he walked away, but he shot an unreadable look over his shoulder at Holt and shook his head “no” at him.

  Interesting.

  “What can I help you with?”

  “Have you seen this woman?” Andrews shoved a picture in his face.

  Plucking the picture out of the man’s hand, he studied it. It was definitely Joely. He could tell that by the eyes and the freckles. But her face was fuller and her hair was brown, cut short in a severe pixie cut. It showed off her cheekbones. Her nose was different too. And in this picture, she wasn’t smiling. This was not the woman who haunted his thoughts and laughed with her friends while surfing.

  “No, can’t say that I have. Who is she?” Holt handed the picture back to Andrews.

  Andrews frowned and glared at it. “She’s my wife.”

  Holt forced himself not to react as his stomach dropped to his shoes. “What makes you think she’s here?” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Amelia practically standing on her tip toes to get a look at the picture.

  “I saw a picture on the internet of her. She was wearing a maid’s uniform from this resort.”

  Holt nodded. “Well, I can look in our system to see if she’s ever worked here.”

  “I would appreciate that, son.”

  Baring his teeth in what he hoped was a smile, Holt went around the desk where Amelia was and opened up a browser window.

  “May I see?” Amelia said.

  When the senator handed her the picture, Holt gave her a warning look.

  “What’s your wife’s name, sir?” he said, watching Amelia stiffen in recognition. But she didn’t say anything.

  “Annie Andrews. But she might be using her maiden name Post.”

  Amelia watched over his shoulder as he googled Annie Post Andrews Minnesota. “I don’t see anything in our system for an employee by that name.”

  “I’m sorry,” Amelia broke in. “I didn’t catch your name, sir.”

  “Amelia is one of the owners of the resort, and our concierge,” Holt said.

  “I’m Senator Timothy Andrews from Minnesota.”

  “I see here,” Amelia said, typing information in their reservation computer, “that you checked in alone yesterday. Were you expecting your wife to come in today?”

  “No,” he said, brushing his hand in the air. “I haven’t seen her in almost five years. We’re estranged.”

  Amelia’s lips tightened and she handed him back the photo.

  Holt could confirm that there was a woman named Annie Post who married Timothy Andrews. He saw the marriage announcement. He could see if there was a divorce filed, but he’d have to put a credit card in and he didn’t want to do that with the senator watching.

  “Perhaps, then, she doesn’t want to see you,” Amelia said swiftly.

  “We have unfinished business between us. I will find her.” Timothy slammed his fist on the counter.

  “Easy,” Holt growled out. He couldn’t find any police or court reports from Minnesota.

  “I’m sorry. I’m just very concerned about her. She has ... mental issues. She’s sick.”

  Holt almost went over the desk. The urge to pummel this guy senseless was strong, but he refrained himself.

  “I can ask around to the other resorts,” Amelia cut in. “All of our uniforms are similar.”

  “They are?” Timothy said, frowning.

  No, they weren’t, but it was possible that someone like Timothy wouldn’t notice that.

  “Let me put a note in your file that if she turns up to contact you immediately. May I see your driver’s license?”

  Bless her. Holt watched as Amelia typed in his driver’s license number, home address.

  “Phone number, please?”

  She was good. That would be more than enough to search for more details.

  “Thank you,” she said, handing his license back to him. “Please enjoy your stay. May I recommend a tour to Molokini for some snorkeling?”

  Timothy considered it, but then shook his head. “I’d like to speak to your service staff.”

  “It’s 50% off today only,” Amelia said, as if she hadn’t heard him. “But the bus leaves in twenty minutes.”

  “Really?” He pocketed his wallet. “Does that include lunch?”

  “It does.”

  Holt smirked in amusement as she then proceeded to charge him full price and print him out a voucher. “You can pick up the shuttle bus to Ma’alaea Harbor out front.” Amelia pointed to the entrance.

  “I need to go back to my room and change, but I would still like to speak with the staff when I get back.”

  “I’ll make the arrangements,” she said.

  When the senator left, Amelia turned to Holt. “What the fuck is going on?"

  “I’m not sure, but Joely’s hiding out at Whaler’s Inn, terrified of that asshole. I’m going to take her out to D.T. Fleming and see if I can get to the bottom of this. When you talk to the staff, be firm. No one tells him anything, or they answer to me.”

  Chapter Three

  Every instinct in Joely’s body was telling her to run, but she didn’t know where. She couldn’t risk going back to her job and her friends. If Timothy found her, he could easily overpower her and she’d be on a plane back to Minnesota before she came to.

  How did he find her? She was always so careful to be in the background at the hotel events where she might be caught on camera. She never was on social media. It was too coincidental to be just a chance meeting.

  “Are you going to buy something?” the sales girl asked, while chewing her gum.

  “Yeah.” Joely grabbed a bikini, a tote bag, and a towel. “I’ll take these please.”

  After the sales girl rang her up, she darted into their bathroom to change. Stuffing her maid’s uniform into the tote bag, she tugged on the suit. It was far too young for her, way too little, and an annoying shade of purple. It was nothing like Annie Andrews would wear. And that was the point.

  Maybe she could get Holt to pack her things for her while she waited in the car. If she could get him to take her to the bank too, that would make things easier.

  If she could trust him.

  If he believed her.

  If he ever showed up.

  Glancing out the door of the shop, she still didn’t see him or his car. He was late. Holt was never late.

  “These too.” Joely added a pair of flip flops. She wouldn’t be able to run fast in them, but they stood out less than her comfortable sneakers. “And these.” She plopped down a large pair of sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat.

  The girl sighed as if this was all too much for her. Joely paid with her credit card, wondering if she should drain her bank account and stick with using cash. She was taking a risk that Timothy hadn’t cracked her identity, but it was nearly impossible to connect Annie Post Andrews to Joely Anderson. Her identification and social security number were the best that money could buy. Her sister had seen to that.

  Putting on the hat and sunglasses, Joely wrapped the towel around her waist and bustled out with some tourists. Heading towards the parking lot, she darted glances all around her. Timothy could be anywhere.

  Luckily, Holt had decided to show up after all. He parked by the curb, and she eased into the passenger side of his Honda Accord. Noting the surfboards on top, a little tension eased out of her back. It would be nice to surf one last time.

  “What the hell are you wearing?” Holt barked at her, as she pulled the seatbelt around her and clicked it in place.

  Normally, she would have blushed and stammered being in such close proxim
ately to him. But suddenly, she was so very tired, she just didn’t give a fuck anymore. She wouldn’t be seeing him again anyway, which was too damned bad.

  “I couldn’t wear my uniform.”

  “Did you put sunscreen on?” he continued.

  “What? No. It wasn’t on my list of things to do.”

  “Glove compartment. You’re going to get burned to a crisp.”

  “We’re not going to be out there that long,” Joely said regretfully.

  “With your skin, we don’t need to.”

  He had a point. She pulled the sun block out and slathered it all over, trying not to get any on his leather seats.

  “Did you give Amelia my notice?” Joely asked. She’d figure out how to do her back once they were on the beach. The thought of his big hands smoothing over her body made her shiver. She had a crush on him from the moment she laid eyes on him five years ago. Then he had to ruin it by accusing her of being a hooker.

  “I said we were taking the day off.”

  “I need to leave the island. I was wondering if you could pack up my things for me and drive me to the bank so I can drain my account?”

  “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on? I talked to Senator Andrews.”

  “What?” Panic coursed through her. “You what?” She looked in the backseat, suddenly positive Timothy was hiding back there waiting to jump out at her. When he wasn’t there, she gripped the door handle. Holt locked the doors. With a jolt, she realized she was trapped. But a quick look out the window confirmed that they were on the way to the beach instead of going back to the resort. Forcing her hands to stay still, she clasped them in front of her. “What did you tell him?”

  “He showed me an old picture of you. I told him I hadn’t seen you.”

  Joely deflated like a balloon against the soft leather seats. “Thank you,” she said weakly.

  “Your husband seems eager to find you.”

  She bristled. “Ex-husband.”

  Holt nodded. “Good.”

  “You’re damn right it’s good. Of course, that little piece of paper ending our marriage didn’t mean anything.” She risked a glance at him under her lashes. “Or the restraining order I filed against him.”

  Joely knew Holt got what she was trying to say by the way his jaw clenched.

  “What’s he doing here looking for you now?”

  Blowing out a sigh, she rested her forehead against the window. “I wish I knew.” Straightening, she played with the threads in her towel. It was so cheaply made, it was already fraying. “But I can’t let him find me.”

  “Why?” Holt said.

  “He’ll kill me.” Joely shrugged.

  Holt went white knuckled on the steering wheel. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean the last time, he shattered my jaw, broke my cheekbone and smashed my nose.” Joely was surprised that her voice was so calm. She felt like she was floating above the car looking down. “I married him just after high school. He was controlling, and at first I didn’t know any better because he treated me like my father treated my mother. But then he wanted to run for the Senate, and he needed for me to have a college degree.”

  Her mind wandered to those first gloriously frightening days of attending classes on the huge state campus. She was so excited to take all the computer classes she could. She had even conned Timothy into buying her an expensive gaming rig.

  “I learned a lot of things he hadn’t expected me to. Freshman psych was an eye opener. I filed for divorce sophomore year and moved to on-campus housing. I got a restraining order junior year. I was in the hospital for reconstructive surgery on my face during what would have been my senior year.”

  Worse than that, he had smashed her computer to bits.

  The silence fell heavy in the car. There was more to the story, so much more. But the less Holt knew about her and her family, the better.

  “Then what happened?”

  “I changed my name. My face was already changed.” She hiccupped and gave a shaky laugh. Her calm façade was starting to break. “And I ran. I was lucky to get away. I ended up here.”

  Joely could feel Holt’s judgement in the thickly charged silence between them.

  “Did you press charges?”

  “One of his brothers is a state cop and the other is a lawyer.”

  Holt’s lips tightened. “He violated the restraining order and put you in the hospital. And now he’s a state senator.”

  “Yes, but he lost the election that year.” A hysterical giggle escaped her, and she clamped a hand over her mouth.

  Holt pulled into the beach parking lot. It took everything in her not to bolt as soon as he unlocked the car doors. She forced herself to climb out of the car with as much grace and dignity that she could muster. He took the boards down from the roof of his car.

  “Let me get your back, otherwise you’re going to be a lobster.” He reached in and grabbed the suntan lotion.

  She braced herself for his touch, holding her breath. He smoothed the lotion over her shoulders first. His big hands were warm and strong. She closed her eyes. It had been a long time since someone touched her so gently. Even if his strokes down her back and the back of her legs were efficient rather than lover-like, it was nice to be touched.

  “Thanks,” she whispered as he capped the bottle and tossed it back into the car.

  “‘A’ole pilikia.”

  She shivered. He was almost unbearably sexy when he spoke Hawaiian. She concentrated on carrying the surfboard to the water without tripping or making a fool out of herself. She almost swallowed her tongue when Holt shrugged out of his shirt and dropped his shorts. He was wearing a bathing suit underneath, but for a moment she almost had a heart attack.

  “Aren’t you going to put on sunscreen?”

  “Never leave the house without it.” He grinned at her.

  Well, damn. She had wanted to return the favor. Nothing ever went right for her.

  D.T. Fleming was almost deserted this time of the morning during the week. The lifeguards were hanging out in their booth, but aside from a few families spread out along the beach, they had the place generally to themselves.

  Joely wished she didn’t have to leave. She was going to miss the beach, and the ocean, and the absolute feeling of peace she felt when paddling out to the waves.

  Today the waves were flat, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was the feel of the sun on her back, and the quiet strength of the man beside her. If things had been different or if they had more time, maybe they could have had something more than a co-worker, grudging friendship. They didn’t say anything until they were out far enough that they were away from everyone else.

  “Thanks for this,” she said, and she heard the longing in her voice. “I’m going to miss Maui.”

  “I need you tell me everything,” Holt said. He was sitting astride his board, his leg close enough to touch hers. She wanted to smooth her hand over the fine hairs of his leg and muscled thigh. Holt would always be forbidden fruit for her. He was too sharp to lie to, and he wasn’t the type of man who would accept anything but the complete truth in a relationship. She couldn’t give him that. The secrets she kept weren’t only her own.

  Timothy ruined everything. First by being a dirty politician, but mostly because he considered her to be a loose end. Maybe if she told him she was content being a missing person, he’d go back to Minnesota and forget about her.

  And maybe it would snow on the beach today.

  “It doesn’t matter,” she said.

  “It does to me. It does to your friends.”

  Joely blinked back tears. “You can’t help me. You don’t know what he’s like. He’s ruthless.”

  “You’ve met my uncle, right?”

  She was surprised she could still laugh, and was startled by the chuckle that escaped her. His uncle, Tetsuo, was rumored to be the oyabun of the local Yakuza clan. “Okay, point taken. The thing is if Timothy knows I’m at Palekaiko, he’ll wait until I’m vulnerable. Then, he’ll knock me out, and take me back to Minnesota. If he doesn't kill me out right, he'll keep me there until I escape. And before you tell me I’m being dramatic, he’s done it before.”

  “That’s kidnapping, a federal crime, especially if he takes you across state lines.”

  “If he’s caught. If anyone believes me. And only if I escape this time. Like I said, he just might kill me.”