Free Chief Distraction by Stella Kelly Page B

and between her breasts. Soft auburn tendrils fell
around her face. She pushed them back as if begging for relief from the
scorching sun. Mak was used to the heat, having grown up in it all his life.
Being saddled with Blythe was the curse’s doing and Mak reminded himself of
that. Pele, the God of Fire, was not about to make escaping easy for him. Not
when a beautiful woman was involved. Hell, maybe the curse is what brought him
to this damn island in the first place…in the form of Blythe Davenport.
    The rocky terrain grew
steep as they climbed to higher ground. Mak assumed the men would stick to the
shoreline if they ever found out about them. In turn, the men might assume he
and Blythe would stay within view of a potential rescue boat. There were spots
on the rocky hillside that were almost impassable, so Mak skirted around these
until the ground flattened out, making it easier to trespass. There was also
less chance of triggering a bomb on the slopes.
    Mak knew they were too
exposed to the elements up here. With minimal sunscreen and no hats or shade,
they didn’t have long before the sun took its toll.
    “We’ll have to find some
cover. Protect ourselves. Who knows how long we’ll be on this island.”
    “Maybe we’ll get lucky
and a group of scientists will be at the base camp. We can leave with them.”
    “No chance of that.
There was nothing on the reserve schedule to indicate anyone here but us.”
    “Anyone can boat over here if they wanted, can’t they?” Blythe asked,
huffing in her attempts to talk and keep up.
    Mak shook his head. “No way. Not unless it’s an illegal entry. You have
to clear it with the Island Reserve Commission. All unauthorized person’s must
stay at least two miles out from the shoreline of Kahoolawe.”
    “Then the Commission people know we’re here, right? You cleared it with
them. They’ll know something’s wrong if we don’t return on time.”
    Mak’s expression conveyed her answer.
    “No?”
    “No. They approved our visit here today, but leaving is our
responsibility. They assume whoever arrives would want to leave. They don’t
follow up.”
    “Won’t someone come for
us?” Blythe croaked in desperation.
    Mak’s heart skipped at
her naivety. The reporter really had no idea what was at stake here. He knew
he’d have to be her protector and take charge. Otherwise, they both may end up
dead. “Blythe, I’ll be honest. All of my men are at the Fireman’s Convention.
Your sister and her boyfriend are gone now and it’s Saturday. We’re on our own.
I think it’s best to stay out of sight and wait it out.”
    “Wait what out? What are
those men doing here?”
    Mak stopped and turned
around, letting her catch her breath. She placed her hands on her hips, her
chest heaving. He looked at her shoes and internally cursed the fashion
industry. They were so impractical even if they did make her toned legs stretch
on for eternity. “My guess is they’re hiding something – something worth
killing randomly for. Obviously something illegal.”
    Blythe straightened.
“Like drugs?”
    “Could be. Or guns. Wouldn’t
be the first time Hawaii was used as a stopping point for smuggling weapons.
Hell, the harbor on the other side of this island’s called Smuggler’s Cove for
that very reason. This kind of thing has been going on for centuries.”
    “And we’re caught in the
middle of it,” Blythe said softly. “That’s a much more important story to tell.
If we make it off this island, I’m going to expose them and put an end to this
senseless…”
    “Easy, Blythe,” Mak
shook his head. “First of all, we will get off this island. I’ll make sure that
happens. Second, I don’t want you thinking like a reporter right now. I want
you thinking like a survivor, am I clear?”
    She nodded silently.
“I’ve always been on the other side of the story, the impartial observer. This
is new for me.”
    “Well, welcome to your
own life or death situation.” Mak