by Reina Torres
“I have!” Train smacked the table top. “Are you going to be on that?”
Hi`ilani nodded. “I have a reoccurring character that might change depending how I do in the first half of the season and if we get picked up for a second.”
She let out a breath.
“So, CeeCee was calling to find out if I can make the press conference.”
“Press conference?” Train was seriously going to get himself in trouble with Jackson if he didn’t stop staring at her like that.
“There’s a local fan convention. Like Comic Con, but it covers all kinds of stuff… anything that has fans. The Network wants to introduce the cast at the con. When all of this happened with Mackie the press event was still just an idea, but now they’ve scheduled time.”
“Hey.”
She felt Jackson’s hand on her shoulder and she turned to look up at him.
“What’s got you so worried?”
“I know that Detective Wong said everything looked okay. That the other men responsible are gone, but I wasn’t sure what you’d say. Or if you’d even be excited for me and-”
He leaned down into her, slanting his lips against her for a kiss. Her gasp only deepened the kiss and when he pulled back, she was starry-eyed and speechless.
“Baby, I’m so proud of you I might actually act like Train for the rest of the day.”
She laughed and felt all the worry on her shoulder slide away.
Jackson’s words continued to comfort her. “And you’re going to be at that… that, whatever you call it. I’m going to make sure you’re safe while you’re there.”
Train jumped in. “Oh, there is no way you’re going to keep me out of it.”
Hi`ilani looked across at Train. “I wouldn’t dare tell you no.”
Baron swallowed the last bite of his lunch and picked up his bottled water. “And I’m going too. Better safe than sorry.”
Chapter 14
Sato sat down on the sofa in his new office and stared out the glass window at the topless bar across the street. “Oh, how the mighty have fallen.”
Peck set down a box and gave his boss a look.
Smiling, Sato looked at him. “We still have boxes in the truck.”
He saw the way a muscle ticked in Peck’s jaw. He wasn’t going to push the man much more. They were both upset. Both of them frustrated.
But, as the adage went, the shit rolls downhill and Peck was downhill. “Let’s get the rest of the boxes up here.”
Peck headed for the door and stopped. “A little help?”
Sato’s goodwill, what he had of it, was fading quickly. “I’m waiting for a call.”
He almost didn’t care if Peck understood the point of the comment. Still, it would be good for the man to remember who was the head guy around here. Muscle is good, but to get where he was in his life, in this business, it took being ruthless and cold.
Peck would only last as long as it served him.
The gunman nodded and walked out the door into the hallway and kicked it shut with his foot.
“Well, that was uncalled for.” A few moments later his phone rang and he picked it up. “You’re late,” he grumbled. “You’re going to lose money because of that, and you’re not going to argue. We have a… mutual acquaintance, and I think he’s lonely in lockup. Poor boy couldn’t make bail.
“I want to remind everyone how generous I can be.” He smiled and leaned back on the sofa, lifting one leg to set it over the other, making the sunlight gleam off the side of his highly-polished Oxfords. “I’d like you to make sure he’s not lonely anymore.”
Jackson didn’t mind waiting in the lobby of the Diamond Head Studios. There was more than enough to look at while the cast was doing their first read through. The room had a number of comfortable chairs that told him people regularly spent a good amount of time here.
The walls were a veritable museum of pictures and some notable props from shows and movies that had shared the soundstage or Diamond Head Studios property. It had already been a couple of hours, but none of that mattered to him.
He was waiting for one particular moment and given the crescendo of sound near the doors and the shift of light visible through the crack under the heavy metal.
Standing up from the chair he’d just started to settle in.
When the doors opened a few people walked out, talking amongst themselves. He wasn’t as into movies and TV as Train was, but he thought he might actually recognize a few of the faces. Still, he couldn’t put names to the faces. Train would probably pester him and show him the whole cast on that movie information website he trolled like it was his job.
“Hey!”
He saw Hi`ilani’s hand waving above the heads of the exiting crowd.
As soon as the slightest path opened up, he saw her, but he didn’t move toward her, he just stood there and watched.
She was, in a word, amazing.
Graceful in every move. Talented beyond his understanding.
And if the dark-haired man beside her didn’t take his hand away from her shoulders, Jackson was probably going to end up in trouble. Even when she moved straight to him, the man didn’t give up his place beside her, and his eyes, well they were more than just curious. The man was clearly interested.
“Jack, this is Cort Caldwell. He’s going to be the lead in the show.” She turned to the side. “Cort, this is Jackson Guard.” As they shook each other’s hand, Jackson couldn’t help but smile as Hi`ilani moved up beside him and wrapped her arm around his waist. “Jackson’s my boyfriend.”
That took the wind out of the actor’s sails and Jackson had to tamp down his smile so it wouldn’t look so smug.
Cort excused himself and another gentleman stepped outside, moving toward Hi`ilani with a big grin. He looked like a proud papa when he took Hi`ilani’s hand and pressed a kiss to her fingers.
“You, my dear, are going to be a star.”
Jackson could see her cheeks flush with color.
“I just want to make sure you don’t regret casting me.”
“Never! In fact, I was a little late coming out because I had a little meeting with the head writer. They’re going to add more to your part. You’ve got great chemistry with Cort,” they both heard Hi`ilani gasp in shock, “and I think if we gave your scenes the right snark and sass it could be like… Moonlighting.”
Jackson knew he was going to have to look that show up.
“Thank you, Mr. Hutchins! Oh!” She looked up at Jackson, I forgot to introduce you.”
“I can manage that.” Chuckling, Mr. Hutchins extended his hand to Jackson. “Jim Hutchins, I’m the Executive Producer of Honolulu P.I. And from what I understand you wanted to speak to me.”
Jackson shook his hand, admiring the man’s firm grip. “Yes, sir. I just wanted to make sure that the upcoming press event is safe.”
Jim looked him up and down, nodding. “Military?”
“Yes, sir.” Jackson’s mouth tilted up at a corner.
Again, Jim looked at him, narrowing his eyes for a moment before he stepped back and nodded. “Army?”
With the barest hint of a chuckle, Jackson nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Jim gestured down the hall. “Why don’t you both come with me into this office and we can chat for a moment.”
Jackson made sure to step behind Hi`ilani and follow behind the two, keeping a watch on the doorway behind them through the reflection in the opposite glass doors.
When he entered the room, the producer had already pulled a chair out for Hi`ilani and settled her in it.
He was quickly beginning to like the man. It didn’t seem like he was doing it just for effect. And when Jackson explained the situation that had led up to their meeting, Mr. Hutchins listened careful and offered his condolences to Hi`ilani.
“But the Detective doesn’t think it’s going to be a problem?”
Jackson heard the man’s hopeful tone and he didn’t blame him. “That’s what he said,” he reached o
ut a hand and Hi`ilani held it in both of hers, settling it in her lap, “but I hope you’ll understand that I’m more than a little concerned. This sudden disappearance makes me more nervous than relieved.”
Watching him carefully, Jim Hutchins thought through the words. “I can see what you’re saying. Hmm…” He gave Hi`ilani a gentle smile. “I would be concerned as well. They have one of the men in custody, but since there were two shooters I can’t imagine that having one on the hook to pay for the loss of your friend would be enough.”
Turning back to Jackson he leaned an arm on the edge of the table. “Your worry probably won’t amount to much. Fighting local crime is in the hands of the HPD. Still, the room we have for the con is the biggest one and from the social media buzz, we’ll likely be standing room only for the event.”
Pulling out his phone he typed out a message that took up a bunch of lines on the screen. Once he sent it he let both of them know. “I’ve messaged my assistant. She’ll have an HPI Staff badge for you to access the room without having to wait in line.” He chuckled. “But that doesn’t mean that people will give you space. Fans at these cons are loathe to give up a good space while they have it.”
“Thank you, Sir.” Jackson blew out a breath. “I hate to ask but two of my teammates are coming with me. Would it be possible to get three badges? We can cover the backstage area and two in the house.”
The producer thought through his words and Jackson had more than a passing appreciation for the older man. “We also have hired some HPD officers for security. We have quite a few well-known actors cast in the show so we will be expecting a crush in the room.
“You won’t be allowed to bring weapons in, but I’ll provide you with the passes. Will that be enough?”
Jackson knew it was as good as he could expect, especially if Detective Wong thought everything was going to be just fine. “I would appreciate that, sir.”
“Great!” Jim looked at Hi`ilani and gave her an encouraging smile. “Between HPD and your man here,” he nodded, “you’ll be just fine.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“You don’t need to thank me, sweetheart. We’re all going to be family and we take care of each other.”
Hi`ilani handed a clean plate to Train and rolled her eyes at him when he gave her a wink.
Pausing as he was scrubbing a plate clean beside her, Jackson sighed at his friend. “Will you stop flirting with my girlfriend!”
“I’m not flirting.” Turning the plate in his hands over, Train continued wiping the plate dry. “I’m just expressing my gratitude that she’s rinsing. My hands turn to prunes in minutes.”
“And that,” sighed Baron as he read the paper at the kitchen counter, “is why you would have made a crappy SEAL.”
Train shrugged. “I can’t help that I look so good in swim trunks, but actually swimming is not my favorite thing.”
Hi`ilani had to blink her eyes to clear them of her tears. “Are you guys this much fun every day?”
“These guys?” Jackson jerked a thumb back at Baron.
“Yeah, is this what you guys are always like?”
Train jumped in to answer. “Baron’s always grumpy,” he agreed, “but he’s a big Monty Python fan so sometimes even when he’s joking we don’t know and think he’s just being a jerk.”
That was confusing. “Then what does Monty Python have to do with any of it?”
Jackson leaned closer and pressed a kiss to her temple. “It’s the only kind of humor he can deliver and make it seem almost humorous.” He thought for a moment and then added on, “Unless it’s SPAM or I’m a Lumberjack. He’s been banned from singing that around the rest of us.”
Baron sat back in his chair and slapped the newspaper down on the hard surface. “It was only at Halloween! And it was my costume!”
Train held up his hands to placate Baron. “Yes, yes… we know… relax.”
Hi`ilani felt Jackson’s hand on her shoulder.
“You look like you’re about to cry.”
She smiled up at him. “If anything, it’s happy tears. Don’t get me wrong, I love my apartment, but it’s surprisingly quiet most of the time. It’s going to be hard to get used to it again.”
Jackson took hold of her shoulders and crouched down enough to look straight into her eyes. “What are you saying?”
She looked down at first, willing her heartbeat to maintain an easy, friendly pace within her chest. “I feel like a fourth wheel around here. You guys need your space and I’m fine going back on my own.
“I’m sure I’m a pretty decent buzzkill for three bachelors living together.”
She heard the cessation in conversation between the other two but couldn’t quite meet their eyes.
“I’m thinking after the press event, when we know more from Detective Wong, it’ll probably be a good time to move back to Waikiki.”
“Whoa, hey,” Train shrugged off Baron’s hold and made it to her side. “Don’t way that! With you here Baron doesn’t walk around naked all the time.”
In answer, Baron smacked Train hard enough on the back that the other man staggered forward a couple of steps.
“Okay, so many he’s not naked, but I swear I saw a g-string.”
Baron’s eyes were dark and filled with warning. “Those were… a friend’s.”
Train winked a Hi`ilani. “Friend in this case means ‘lady friend.’”
Grabbing Train by the scruff of his neck, Baron started to move the man across the room. When they stopped outside of the first bedroom, Baron turned around and gave her a smile. “Don’t leave on my account. You’re kind of nice to have around.”
“Kind of?”
For his question, Train managed to duck and miss most of Baron’s blow, glancing off the back of his head.
“Come on, you can finish the dishes later.”
Train moved along for a bit and then stopped short to look at Baron. “Why do I have to finish the dishes?”
By the time the other two disappeared into their rooms to give the couple a little privacy. She could see that Jackson was ready for a fight.
“I need to know you’re safe.”
She nodded. “You don’t think this thing is over yet.”
“Do you?” He wanted her opinion more than anything.
She thought about it and then shook her head. “It seems too easy, doesn’t it?”
He sighed. “I’m not trying to make you worry, or make you afraid, but if something happened to you and I didn’t say something or try to stop it. I’d never forgive myself.”
“I’m not asking you to.” She heard the tremor in his voice and felt the hiccup in her own heartbeat. “Do you think I should call and cancel the event?”
“No!”
The vehemence in his voice shocked her.
It sounded almost pained.
He pulled her close and turned so her back was up against the counter. “No, you don’t have to give up this event, Hi`i. This is a huge break for you and I wouldn’t ask you to give it up.”
She felt tears on her lashes. “That’s just it. It’s big for me but if I go and something happens and someone else is hurt for me. I don’t think I could handle it. I’m… I’m still not sure that Mackie’s death wasn’t my fault. Everyone tells me that it wasn’t, but I can’t escape the feeling that if I hadn’t gone out there, they wouldn’t have had a reason to shoot him.”
He picked her up and set her up on the counter. “No one is responsible for what the shooters did, except for the shooters. Mackie did what he did because he loved you. Those men did what they did because they wanted to.”
“I’m going to be in a roomful of people. Innocent people. And if something happens-”
“You’re going to have me. You’re going to have Baron and Train there too. They might act like little children sometimes, but I trust them with my life and I trust them with yours.”
He set his palms down on either side of her on the counter and leaned in.
Closing her eyes, she breathed in his scent. She felt his heat surrounding her.
His strength.
She felt him rub his cheek against hers.
“And there’s one more thing working in our favor.”
That caught his attention and he leaned back enough that she opened her eyes to look up at him. He was watching her carefully. “And what’s that?”
“Mister Hutchins said we’ll have the HPD there. You never know,” she lifted up her chin in a little defiant gesture, “Kyle might be there and- Oh!”
Jackson wrapped his arms around her, his hands grabbing the full curve of her backside and pulled her to the edge of the counter.
Before he could speak, she rolled her hips against him and she felt him hardening against her.
“So, I’m guessing you don’t want me to talk about Ky-”
His hands lifted her off of the counter completely and with a soft gasp she wrapped herself around him, arms and legs and when she smiled at him with a wink he covered her mouth with a kiss.
When he came up for air she murmured against his lips. “So, I guess that’s a no.”
He swept the tip of his tongue along her bottom lip. “I’m going to get you to say yes in a minute… to me.”
She arched against him, rubbing her breasts against his chest. “Make me.”
Hi`ilani laughed against his lips as he carried her away.
Chapter 15
Honolulu Fan Con could be described by one word: PACKED.
If anyone of the group was expected to enjoy the event, it would have been Train. If they’d known him a little longer before they gave him his nickname they might have ended up calling him Telenovella.
But even as much as he enjoyed TV and movies, after a few minutes of trying to move through the throngs at the Hawaii Convention Center, even Train was soured on the idea. “Did they have a back entrance?”
Baron was decided chipper, putting his teammates off balance. “Nope, but this is kind of interesting. People watching,” he mused, “who would have thought I might enjoy something like this.”