Isla

 

“Huh?” I muttered, jerking my head on my pillow and rubbing at my chin. I was drooling. I never drooled, gross. “Ugh, what a weird dream,” I muttered, rolling over and trying to open my eyes. But it was too much of a struggle and I fell back to sleep.

When I woke up again, the light had both shifted and brightened. Forcing myself awake, I squinted around, trying to make sense of what I was looking at.

I was in a lovely yellow room, the walls covered with colorful paintings of ocean scenes. Beach themed knickknacks lined the shelves. Everything was simple, tasteful, and beautiful.

Everything was wrong.

“I don’t own those,” I murmured, staring around. Then I looked down at the blue and green blankets. “Or these. Turtles?” Rubbing my temples viciously, I tried to piece together my memories. “This isn’t my room. What the hell is going on? Why can’t I remember yesterday?”

Frantically, I thought back. Isla DeLuca, a resident of Burbank, California. Roommate of Dionne Wriggs. Both aspiring and starving artists. I work at Henny’s Diner…

“This isn’t LA. Or is it?” I asked, my voice scratchy and rough. “Where–where am I?”

A meow answered me and I jumped. A tawny fur ball unwound itself from the bottom of the bed and blinked at me. Walking over, it began to purr and rubbed itself under my shaking, outstretched fingers. It was a gorgeous, sweet looking cat with a sparkly collar.

“Hi, pretty kitty,” I murmured and it purred harder. “You know where I am?”

It jumped down and walked towards the door. My head was clearing by the second and the room began to come together more. An ornate palm-leaf ceiling fan was turning overhead, while an air conditioner whirred in the corner and sunlight filtered through the closed blinds. Getting out of bed, almost toppling over as I did so, I went the window and jerked the blinds open. My jaw dropped.

A dazzling view of the ocean, white sand, and palm trees greeted me.

Stumbling back, my legs hit the bed and I realized my heart was pounding so loudly, I couldn’t hear anything else. None of this made sense. This wasn’t LA. Could it Malibu? Cabo?

Faint, melodic whistling pierced my senses and I froze.

I wasn’t alone.

Tiptoeing over to the door, I pressed my ear against it. There was a soft strum of guitar music from a radio, the hum of a dryer, and then, unmistakably male footsteps. Followed by louder whistling in an upbeat tune.

Did I go back to some guy’s place last night? Why would I do that? What the hell did I drink?

Going back to the window, I tried to see if there was any way I could get out that way. But it was too high off the ground and the windows were locked. This house was on stilts. Moving back to the door, I could feel my brain clear a little more. And one thought seized me.

Get the hell out of here.

In the distance, I heard a door open and shut. Silence. No more whistling or footsteps. Slowly, I opened my door, the cat running out and making me jump. I studied the little I could see – squeaky-clean floors and art-covered walls of an airy beach bungalow.

For a moment, I was entranced, staring at the vistas of ocean and sky through the window across from me. Then, shaking my head, I started to move through the house.

The cat reappeared, glancing at me as though puzzled and I tried to ignore it. But I’d never seen a cat act quite like that and it was freaking me out. Everything was freaking me out. I had to find a phone and call my roommate. Dionne could tell me what the hell I’d gotten myself into.

At least, I hoped she could. Had we partied last night somewhere?

Oh my God, did someone friggin’ roofie me? That is the last time I party in Hollywood.

Taking a deep breath, I slipped up to a window and peeked outside. A set of stairs led down to a sandy walkway, where a paddleboard and several surfboards were lined up against a fence. Sneakers were in a pile at the bottom of the stairs, the back heels crushed beyond recognition. Beyond was a little patio, clothing flapping on a line over an outdoor shower in the corner. I studied the clothes. All tanks, shorts, and bathing suits. All male.

Whose house is this? Have I been here before?

Turning, I stared around the bungalow for a phone. But it was oddly bare of any kind of modernity. No TV, no computer, and no phone. Only an old-school radio.

My eyes then landed on a desk in a bright, sunny corner. I shivered with both interest and unease as I looked at it. It was stacked with sketchbooks and with a folded easel next to it.

Artist or not, this is too weird.

Sneaking outside, I winced at the creak of the door and then frantically looked around for the mysterious male. But no one appeared. Tiptoeing down the stairs, I paused at the bottom and stared at the ocean for a moment, entranced again.

Where am I? This is not California.

Glancing around, I tried to see if there was a road or another house, but the forest around the house was too dense. Maybe on the beach, I could get a better look around. But where was that guy? Starting to panic, I darted out onto the sand and glanced around.

Mountains rose up behind the bungalow, staggering against the sky and covered with a veritable jungle in every shade of green imaginable. Turning in a circle, the salty air hit my lips, along with the smell of brine and fresh flowers. The air was so clear and clean.

As was the water. Pure blue becoming deeper teals and sapphires as the depth changed. In spite of myself, I walked closer, watching as the sun threw the waves into a dizzying shatter of light as they roared to shore. I’d never seen a more beautiful or remote spot.

Then I stopped dead as someone spoke.

Someone who knew my name.

“Mornin’ Isla,” said a laconic, deep male voice. “Want breakfast? Or you makin’ a run for it?”

Heart slamming now, I turned and tried to breathe. Keep cool. Then I blinked in confusion as I tried to take in what I was looking at.

A surfer boy was walking over, before settling himself down and lounging against a picnic table on the other side of the stairs. His shaggy, shoulder-length hair was falling into his eyes and he raked a hand through it to pull it back. Sunlight picked up golden glints in the brown of his hair, eyes, and deeply tanned skin. As well as in the fur of the small umber kitten on his shoulder.

A kitten? This is his house, I think.

Surfer boy grinned lazily and I gaped at him. He was wearing nothing but black surf shorts and a series of colorful, knotted bracelets. Not even shoes.

He was gorgeous, shirtless, and had a kitten.

It was all too much.

I’m dreaming, I thought dazedly. Reaching down, I pinched my arm savagely and pain flared.

Maybe not.

But this guy was crazy built – muscular legs, huge arms, and a torso like a cut swimmer. Lines of tattoos swirled and curved up his arms and across his left pec, where there was an image of a sea turtle inside a sun. Oh, those were definitely his sheets. And this was his house. Who was he?

Did I sleep with him? And I forgot? Man, life is not fair.

“Huh?” I managed to squeak out.

His smile became wry and my heart fluttered. “Breakfast,” surfer boy said, jerking a thumb at the table next to him. “Want some?”

All of my instincts to run were overridden by the need for information. "Oh, hell no! First, who are you, sir?” I demanded. “Where am I? What is going on?” I paused, then blurted out before I lost my nerve, “Did we sleep together?”

A snort of laughter escaped him. “‘Sir!’ Geez, you’re cute.” He stood up and stretched his arms overhead, causing the muscles of his chest and abs to flex. “First, no, we did not sleep together. Nothing like that. And…” He looked thoughtful. “Call me Kai.”

Heat was rising in my cheeks and I forced myself to look away, at the table next to him. It did indeed have an impressive breakfast spread. On a nice floral tablecloth, too.

“You don’t have a last name?” I asked flatly, ignoring the way my heart was leaping around at the word cute and the flexing muscles. I wasn’t going to be taken in by any stupid flattery or big biceps. No, not even by a ripped surfer boy with a kitten on his shoulder.

"I do…" Kai let out a noise between a sigh and a laugh. "But uh… Well, it's a surprise. But come on – breakfast. I'm glad you finally woke up.”

I gaped at him. “What? This doesn’t… Where am I? What am I doing here?”

“This is Maui.” He raised an eyebrow at me. “Huh, I’d thought that’d be more obvious. And, I mean…” Kai made a graceful gesture. “What are any of us doing here?”

“Maui?” I gasped. Oh, god he’s a crazy surfer hippie. Did he roofie me? Lifting up my head, I clenched my fists and glared at him. “How did I get here? Tell me what is going on or I will scream.”

“What will that do?” Kai asked in a maddeningly calm and indifferent tone. “Besides upset the cats, of course.” He reached up to pat the one on his shoulder and gave me a serene smile. “Long story short, you were kidnapped for a surprise vacation in Hawaii. All expenses paid. Aloha, kid.”

My vision went in and out. “Kidnapped?” I gasped.

“Nah,” Kai said and yawned. “That was a joke. Well, I mean kind of.” As I blanched and stumbled back, he waved his hands and walked forward slowly, as though trying to calm a skittish dog. “C’mon, you’re in Maui. If it was a real kidnapping, it would’ve been a good kidnapping.”

“No! There is no such thing as a good kidnapping, you lunatic!” Then I sucked in a sharp breath as something hit me. “Oh my God! Japan. Dr. Crane! We were supposed to leave…” I glared at Kai. “Did you roofie me and fly me to Maui? You sick bastard! What the hell is wrong with you?”

“That is a long list and irrelevant to the topic at hand. And no, I didn’t roofie you.” Kai pressed his hands together and gave me a strange look. He’d stopped about a foot away from me. “Isla, what’s the last thing you remember?”

The sudden seriousness of Kai’s voice arrested me – as did the flat look in his brown eyes. His cavalier manner had vanished into an intense and unwavering look. One that was equal parts compassion and concern, along with something I couldn’t name.

But it sent a strange ache through me.

This close, too, I could see he was not as young as I originally thought. Kai had to be a few years older than me, probably in his late twenties. His jaw was scruffy, and there were shadows under his eyes and lines around his mouth.

“Remember? About what – you kidnapping me?” I asked in a strangled voice.

I didn’t want to admit I was struggling to remember anything over the last few days. Only bits and pieces were coming back. Packing for Japan. Driving to TLO.

It was terrifying, like grasping for something in a void and finding nothing to hold onto.

"Mm, maybe that was a bad joke…" Kai frowned, then he suddenly let out a laugh. "Sorry, didn't mean to laugh, I was just thinking. Um, so not the time. Okay, um, how do I explain this…?" He squinted up at the sky. "Well, first, Dr. Crane is not who you think he is.”

“You know Dr. Crane? Wait, how? Is this about the TLO?” I bristled. “You can go to hell! Dr. Crane is a great man. He’s giving me everything I ever wanted. He’s the best.”

“Ha. So, what is the TLO’s moniker these days? Tricking Lemmings Overnight?”

“Talent Leadership Organization!” I growled and Kai laughed. It was a bitter kind of laugh and hit me like a slap in the face. “Whatever. Are you like a rival or something?”

“A rival?” Kai looked revolted. “No. Hell no. So, Isla, Dr. Crane is giving you everything you ever wanted, huh? You ever ask why?” Kai asked, his gaze searing me as he folded his arms. His crisp tone now had an acerbic edge.

I struggled to come up with a response. Ugh, it was very disconcerting to be stared down by a shirtless man with a kitten on his shoulder. “Because he cares!” I finally got out.

“Oh, really? Or were you so down and out on your luck, you jumped at the opportunity?” I blinked and Kai gave me a knowing look. “Never heard a little whisper in your head that all of this was too good be true? Ever ask where the money was coming from? Why he does what he does? Why you’ve never heard of him? Why he asked you to help him keep a low profile?”

I opened and closed my mouth. The sense of something closing in on me was hitting me hard and I hugged myself. “What are you trying to say?” I asked in a whisper.

“Have you heard of the witness protection program?” Kai asked abruptly.

“Sure,” I said, thrown for a second. Then my mouth went dry. “Why?”

“You’re in it, kid,” Kai said and I gasped. “Or a version of it. I – we got you out of there before the good doctor could–” His face went tight and he pulled in a hard breath. For several seconds, there was silence as Kai looked away and he struggled for words.

“Why? What was he trying to do to me?” I asked in a breathless voice, my eyes tearing and my hands at my throat. “Who is he? What is the TLO?”

Kai shrugged. “Need to know, sorry. Also, sorry, you’re stuck with me for now. But hey, you’re in a gorgeous tropical paradise with me and a bunch of cool cats. Could be worse.”

“Oh, no.” I snorted. “Hell no. I need something more.” I glanced around. “This can’t be how the witness protection program works. This doesn’t make sense. Why would Dr. Crane waste all that time and effort on me if he wanted to use me for some nefarious purpose?”

Kai looked bemused. “You are cute.” I flushed with rage as he yawned and stretched. “Believe me, don’t believe me. Doesn’t matter, there will be someone here at the end of the week who will explain everything and move you along.” He paused. “Now. Breakfast?”

“No!” I snapped. “I don’t trust anything you’re saying! I need to know what is going on!” I put a hand to my head as pain lanced through it, followed by dizziness. “Shit, I feel like shit.”

“Food will help,” Kai said.

“You know what, go to hell!” I said, as tears pooled along my lids and threatened to spill. “I’ll find out for myself what is going on. I’m out of here.”

“In pineapple pajamas? Okay.” Kai gave me a lazy grin.

I looked down. “What the hell?” Glaring at him, I raised my fists. “I know I was wearing something else before. You sick bastard–”

Kai held up his hands. “Not my doing, don’t worry. I woulda picked something smokin.’” He winked at me as I glared at him. “Also, you should know, there’s no one for miles. Pretty remote, isolated area I live in – kind of like my privacy.”

Looking up and down the beach, my stomach twisted and my skin went cold. He was right. It was all empty, lonely shores with a thick forest running down to it. Without my phone or a map, I’d be lost in no time. And my stomach rumbled painfully as I thought about it.

Kai was continuing. “The Hana Highway is back there a way, but it’s a hike and without water, or knowing where you’re going, you’d probably perish. Or come back even hungrier.”

I turned in a circle and then stared at Kai. “So, I’m just supposed to believe you and stay here? Mr. No Last Name? You’re my babysitter warden or something?”

“Geez, harsh,” Kai said. “Let’s say, protector, I guess. Surf instructor if you wanna try it out. Temporary roomie and cook. Nothing else.”

“Protector?” I asked, folding my arms and giving him a once over.

“What are my abs not defined enough? Arms need to be bigger? Yeah, I saw you lookin.’” Kai winked at me as my mouth opened in outrage. “Geez, woman, my poor ego. What’s a guy gotta do, huh? I’m doing my best here. Did you see the kitten?”

At the look on Kai’s face, I had to fight down a smile and snapped, “Shut up. Shouldn’t you be wearing like gear or something? Or have a gun?”

“I’ve got these guns,” Kai said flexing and this time I did smile. At that Kai’s face lit up and my heart did a funny twist in my chest. “Isla, I know waking up here must feel like you’re tripping out, but I promise you, you are safe here.” He paused, staring at me intently until I had to look away. “And. hey if it makes you more comfortable, I’ll stay out of the way. I know you don’t know me, but come on.” I glanced back and he pointed at his shoulder. “Bonsi likes me and he’s very particular.”

Kai then began walking backward, waving me along and I found myself following slowly.

First, I was starving and there was nowhere to go.

Second, if Kai was as crazy as I thought, (or crazier), perhaps I needed to play along. Maybe he was an enemy of Dr. Crane or something. He certainly didn’t seem to like Dr. C.

Third, something was up with me. I felt sick like my body was fighting off the flu and I knew I couldn't outrun this guy.

“Can I ask you something?” I asked as we got closer to the table. There was fresh pineapple out, along with rice, eggs and something slathered in gravy. It smelled amazing.

“Yes, of course,” Kai said as he sat down.

“Why’d you ask me if I remembered what happened?” I paused. “I only remember packing and driving to the office… How’d you know I didn’t remember?”

Kai gave me a meditative look but said nothing.

“Wait. When was that?” I demanded, fearing the worse.

A pained look flitted across Kai’s face. “Day before yesterday.”

“What? Why don’t I remember anything in between?” I asked, my heart in my throat. “Am I suppressing it? Did you do something to me?”

“No!” Kai said vehemently. “If I was that kind of a guy, would I let you be walking around and making you breakfast? Wouldn’t you be locked up?” His fist knotted. “I protect people.”

This time I had nothing to say.

A dark, flinty look came into Kai’s eyes. “I’ll tell you this much – thank Dr. Crane.” He shook his head. “And be glad those memories are gone. Ignorance is bliss when it comes to the TLO.”