Love on the Rebound (Hawaii Billionaire Romance)

by Jennifer Youngblood

  Blood shot to Everly’s face, and she had the urge to rip Roland’s head off. “I should’ve known,” she muttered. “This is a new low … even for him.”

  “The pictures in the tabloids weren’t taken by Bart, however. They were taken by Briggs.”

  It all came together in one hard slap. “No wonder the media was so concerned about Jordan’s whereabouts while we were in the hot tub.” Fury coursed through her as she clenched her fists. “Roland’s trying to cast me as irresponsible. That way, he can keep me in line—use the constant threat of taking Jordan away as a weapon. He outright told me yesterday that he is going to take me to court and get full custody of Jordan. Of course, he added that all of my problems would go away if I agreed to get back together with him.” The whole thing was nauseatingly disgusting.

  Fury swept over Christian’s face. “That’s not going to happen. I don’t care how much it costs, we’ll fight him.”

  “Thank you,” Everly said hoarsely, trying to keep her emotions in check. “But we will be hard pressed to find an attorney in South Carolina, who’s not influenced by Roland.”

  He tilted his head, considering her words. “You’re absolutely right.”

  Her heart dropped. “I am?”

  “Yes, we would have a hard time finding someone in South Carolina … but not in Hawaii or California.”

  “I suppose that’s true.” She told Christian how Roland had picked Jordan up from school without her knowledge. A sharp fear sliced through her. “As grateful as I am that you’re here, I fear what Roland might do when he finds out. Not only does he have connections in the courts, but also in the police department.”

  “Okay, then we need to leave for Hawaii immediately.”

  “What?” Could she really just pack up and leave?

  “If you wait until Roland gets wind of you leaving, then he’ll try and stop you. But at this moment, he doesn’t even realize I’m in town.”

  “Or that we’re back together. It could work.” The prospect was exciting and a little scary. She’d never just picked up and left a place before. Her boss Matt would be livid … or maybe not. He’d been so disgruntled about the press thing that he might be relieved.

  “I’ll hire a security team to watch the estate.” Regret tinged his features. “Had I done that earlier, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

  “Don’t beat yourself up. As ruthless as Roland is, he would’ve found a way to undermine our relationship. No matter what.”

  Marbles appeared at the corners of his jaw. “Well, he’ll have a much harder time getting to you there, than here.”

  Everly ran through various scenarios. Christian was right. The best way to outwit Roland was to act quickly. Life really was opening up a golden nugget of possibility, but she had to summon the courage to take hold. She took a deep breath. “Okay, let’s do it.”

  CHAPTER 18

  Everly sat by the pool, enjoying the soothing sound of the waterfall flowing over the rocks. A light breeze ruffled her hair as she breathed in the scent of flowers. It had been exactly one week since they’d left South Carolina and taken a red-eye flight to Hawaii. The past week had been surprisingly peaceful, considering how worried she was about Roland.

  She’d left her old phone at her home in South Carolina, just in case Roland was tracking it. The day after they arrived in Hawaii, Christian bought her a new phone. At which point, she called her mama and gave her the number. Even though Everly and Christian invited Florence to come with them, she decided to stay in South Carolina a while longer. Everly was relieved when Florence told her she was going to Greenville for a few months to live with her sister before coming to spend a few months in Hawaii with them. She didn’t want her mama in close proximity to Roland, for fear of what he might do.

  A part of her wondered what Matt and the employees at the fitness center thought when she simply didn’t show up for work. She hated leaving them in the lurch, but it couldn’t be helped. There was still her house to consider. She didn’t want it sitting empty for a long period of time. Christian suggested they hire someone to pack up her personal items, place them in storage, and then put the home on the market. The more she thought about it, that seemed to be the most feasible option.

  Christian came up behind her and began massaging her shoulders. “I wondered where you’d gotten off to. How ya doing?”

  “Great.” Her senses seemed to come alive at his touch. “You have magic hands,” she murmured. “You’re distracting me.”

  He chuckled. “That’s the idea. What ya working on?”

  She motioned at the laptop on the poolside table. “Just strategizing for the fitness center.” They’d already looked for property on which to build the center and found the perfect spot in Haleiwa. They put in an offer, and it was accepted twenty-four hours later. Everything seemed to be falling into place in record time

  Christian leaned in, and she inhaled his clean, masculine scent that smelled of cinnamon. “You’ve been drinking hot chocolate.”

  “Want some?”

  “Maybe later.”

  He leaned in and placed a string of light kisses down her neck. Every cell in her body came alive with a spiral of pleasure. The need for him consumed her as she turned to kiss him full on the mouth. He pulled her to her feet and encircled her in his arms. She ran her hands along his arms, appreciating his defined muscles. Her lips parted expectantly as he moved closer. When their mouths connected, a flame ignited between them. Their lips moved in perfect sync and they melted into each other. They only pulled apart for want of air.

  “It just keeps getting better and better,” Christian said fiercely.

  “Agreed.” She’d never before been this happy, but she couldn’t help feeling this was the calm before the storm. They’d hired an attorney to represent her, and he kept assuring Everly that everything would be fine, but she was worried. Roland was a force to be reckoned with, and he wouldn’t stop until he destroyed her.

  Concern touched his features. “What’s wrong?”

  “I just keep feeling like something bad is about to happen. I worry what Roland will do.”

  “You need to stop,” he said firmly. “Everything will be okay.”

  She nodded but couldn’t shake the sick feeling in her gut. They sat down in the lounge chairs, and she snuggled close to Christian. “Any news about the movie?”

  “Still in negotiation.”

  She thrust out her lower lip in a pout. “I’m not sure how I feel about you kissing another woman.”

  A mischievous smile flittered over his lips. “It’s just acting. It doesn’t mean anything.”

  “Bull crap.”

  His eyes widened, and he burst out laughing. “You really are something. You could always be my co-star.”

  She cut her eyes at him. “Yeah, right.”

  “I’m sure you could act.”

  She batted her eyelashes alluringly. “Well, I can certainly do a convincing Scarlett O’Hara.”

  “Really?”

  “Sure can. I played her in my senior high school play.”

  He grinned. “This I’ve gotta see.”

  She paused. “Let’s see if I can remember the lines. She sat up straight in her chair. “Oh, Rhett!” she gushed, bringing her hands together. “When I think of myself … with anything I could possibly hope for,” she chirped, flouncing her hair, “not a care in the world …” she adopted a petulant frown “… and you here in this horrid jail.” She balled her fist. “And not even a human jail, Rhett, a horse jail,” she wailed, letting out a long sigh. Then she hiccupped a self-deprecating laugh. “Listen to me trying to make jokes, when I really wanna cry.” She fluttered her eyelashes, adopting a glib expression. “In a minute … I think I will cry.”

  He started clapping. “That’s pretty good … for an amateur.”

  “What?” She shoved him. “I thought that was pretty convincing.”

  Amusement danced in his eyes. “Well, you certainly have the Southern a
ccent pegged. But maybe you’d better stick to running a fitness center and leave the acting to me.” He started tickling her. She jumped back, “St-op,” she laughed.

  A few minutes later, he scooted his chair closer and they cuddled up.

  “Show me what you’ve got for the fitness center,” he said.

  She could tell that he genuinely wanted to know, and that thrilled her to the core. “Okay, here’s what I was thinking …”

  Everly was weightless and free, moving through the water as she and Mitchell explored the shipwreck. Time was distorted underwater, but Everly was certain they’d been under too long. She kept pointing towards the surface, shining like the moon in the blue abyss. She tried to persuade Mitchell to go up with her. But he shook his head no and took off in another direction. She went after him, but as soon as she got close enough to touch him, he darted out of her grasp. Fearing for her own safety, she started going up and then realized Mitchell was struggling. In a flurry, she went back down to help him. His eyes radiated panic through the mask. He was running out of air! She tried help, but it was no use. Anguish wrenched her gut as she watched him sink into the black nothingness. Then it occurred to her that this was a dream, and she had the power to change it. She used all of her concentration to exert her will. At that moment, she saw Christian above her, holding out his hand. As she clutched it, they zoomed, side-by-side, to the surface.

  Her eyes popped open as a hand pressed over her mouth. Panic raced through Everly as she looked at the face looming over her. Christian! He put a finger to his lips. “Someone’s in the house,” he whispered.

  Sleep immediately fled as Everly tossed off the covers and leapt out of bed. Sweat broke over her brow as she thought of Jordan, sleeping in the room at the end of the hall. “We have to get to Jordan,” she whispered.

  Christian nodded.

  They heard a slight creaking noise and both went statue still, craning their ears to hear.

  Christian had already hired a couple of guards to watch the grounds and had ordered a security system, but it was scheduled to be installed two days from now.

  Everly’s heart was in her throat as they inched to the door of her bedroom. Every step on the wood floor seemed to crack like a gunshot in the still house. Christian looked out into the hallway. “The coast is clear,” he whispered.

  She caught his arm. “What happened?”

  “I was asleep when I heard a noise,” he whispered. “I came to your door to check on you, then I heard someone walking downstairs. That’s when I woke you up.”

  Everly’s pulse hammered in her ears as she nodded. Stealthily, they made their way to Jordan’s room. When they heard a muffled sound, they ran to the door. Christian threw it open, and Everly flipped on the light.

  She cried out when she saw Roland, holding a sleeping Jordan in his arms. She rushed forward. “Put him down!” Then she saw the glint of metal and realized Roland was pointing a gun.

  “Stop where you are,” he ordered.

  A swift terror rushed over her as she complied, holding up her hands. She felt movement from behind as Christian stepped up beside her.

  “I said stop,” Roland thundered, a crazed look in his eyes.

  Jordan opened his eyes. “Daddy?”

  Roland forced a smile. “Hey, buddy.”

  Jordan looked around and saw Everly. He tried to wiggle out of Roland’s arms, but Roland held him tight.

  “I want my Mommy!” Tears erupted as his face crumbled into sobs.

  Everly felt her own eyes grow moist. “Roland, please, put him down. Let’s talk about this rationally.”

  “Rationally?” He let out a grating laugh. “I tried to handle the situation rationally. Called you to my home. Gave you the opportunity to come back, but you wouldn’t do it.” His voice broke. “You betrayed me, Everly. And now, I’m taking my son home where he belongs.”

  Panic filled Jordan’s eyes. “No! I want to stay here with Mommy and Christian.”

  “Shut up,” Roland barked.

  Everly winced as rage contorted Roland’s features. This was her worst fear, coming to life. Sheer desperation overcame Everly as she looked at Jordan. It was all she could do to keep her voice even. “Do what he says, okay?”

  “Put Jordan down,” Christian demanded through clenched teeth.

  Everly noticed out of the corner of her eye that Christian had inched up a couple of steps. His body was pulled taut, a panther ready to pounce.

  Roland’s eyes turned to icy flecks as he glared at Christian. “You’re the one to blame for this entire thing.”

  Things were spiraling out of control. Instinct told Everly that if she allowed Roland to walk out of this house with Jordan, she would never see her son again. She would do everything in her power to protect Jordan, even if it meant dying in the process. Frantically, she searched her brain for a way to appease Roland. “I’ll go with you,” she blurted. “I will,” she said, holding Roland’s eyes. She could almost see the cogs in his brain churning as he considered what she’d said. “Both of us can take Jordan home. Just put him down. You’re scaring him.”

  Roland sneered. “Do you think I’m stupid?”

  “No, I don’t think you’re stupid at all,” Everly continued. “I think you’re upset.” And then she had an idea. What they needed was a distraction. She glanced at Christian, wishing he could read her mind. “If you wanna know the truth, I’m glad you’re here.” She jutted her thumb in Christian’s direction. “Because I’ve just about had enough of this puffed-up, pretty-boy actor who’s been strutting around like a peacock. I guess my mama was right when she said, ‘Never date a guy prettier than you.’”

  Christian jerked, stunned. “What?”

  She slapped him hard across the face. “It’s like I told you earlier by the pool. I shouldn’t have come here. We’re from two different worlds. It’s not working. You’re an actor, for goodness sakes! How can I believe a word you say? I told you it wouldn’t work, but you dragged me here anyway.”

  For a second, Christian just stood there, dumbfounded, as she silently tried to convey what she was doing. “Say something,” she demanded, shoving him hard in the chest. “I said you dragged me here anyway! This place is worse than a jail!”

  Suddenly, it clicked as he got up in her face. “How dare you say those things to me. You’re lucky I even gave you the time of day.”

  Everly went wild, rushing at Christian, attacking him for all she was worth.

  “Hey!” Roland yelled. He put Jordan down on the bed and then turned to them. “I said enough!”

  Jordan was whimpering, his eyes filled with fear.

  Everly stumbled and fell forward into Roland. When he moved to help break her fall, Christian charged at him full force, knocking the gun out of his hands. Everly scrambled to get it, while the two men crashed into the nearby bookshelf. They rolled on the floor, trading blows. But the fight was over quickly when Christian flipped Roland over, face-first on the floor and thrust his knee into his back, pinning him to the ground.

  Everly handed Christian the gun. He jabbed it into the center of Roland’s back.

  “On your feet,” he ordered. Then he looked at Everly. “Call 911.”

  Roland shot Everly a venomous look. “You think you’re so smart. But you’ll pay dearly for that.”

  Christian shook his head, a look of revulsion coming over him. “She’s already paid dearly for all the crap you’ve put her through. Now it’s your turn to pay. And if I have anything to do with it, you’ll be paying for your sins for a very long time.”

  Everly returned a couple of minutes later. “The police are on the way.” She hurried to Jordan’s side and gathered him in her arms. He buried his head in her chest. She could only hope the night’s events wouldn’t leave him scarred.

  She glanced at Roland one final time. Even though he wore a surly expression, his shoulders sagged in defeat. He seemed puny in comparison to Christian. She knew enough about the law to know that thanks
to this escapade, he would be charged with enough crimes to keep him on the defensive for quite some time. And he would most likely serve jail time. No amount of influence on his part could convince a judge to grant him full custody of Jordan.

  Christian’s eyes connected with hers. “Are you okay?”

  She gave him a weak smile. “Yeah.” For the first time, she really was.

  After the police took Roland away, Everly laid down beside Jordan, until he drifted off to sleep. Then she joined Christian in the living room for a cup of hot chocolate. He’d turned on music, and it was playing in the background. Christian turned to her, a slow grin crossing his face. “I guess I stand corrected.”

  She took a drink from her cup and placed it on the coffee table. “What do you mean?”

  “You’re a pretty good actress … for an amateur.”

  “Uh, huh. I hear ya.”

  He placed his cup beside hers. “Seriously, for a minute there, I wasn’t sure what was going on when you went all Rosie O’ Donnell on me. But when you mentioned the word jail, it clicked.”

  She flashed a coquettish smile. “Not just any jail, Rhett … but a horse jail,” she drawled.

  He put an arm around her. “So you’re a fitness expert, an amazing cook, a tolerably good actress.” He winked. “Tell me, Everly, Southern Belle extraordinaire—is there anything you can’t do?”

  She thought for a second. “Live without you.”

  Her forthright answer caught him off guard, and she thought she might’ve seen a tear form in his eye, but he blinked it away. Then a radiant smile touched his lips. “Hey, they’re playing our song.” He began singing along softly to the lyrics.

  She had so much to be grateful for and could hardly believe she was here, in this beautiful place, with the love of her life. Everly trailed a hand along the line of Christian’s jaw, her voice growing reflective. “Despite all of the heartache the two of us have endured, it really is a wonderful world anyway.”

  His eyes captured hers, and she thought she might’ve caught a glimpse of eternity as he clasped his hand over hers. “Yes, and what a wonderful world it is.”