Page 28 of Duty and Desire

Chapter Twenty-Six

Bora-Bora

Gio

B y the time Aulani arrived, my head was spinning.

“Do you know how many flights I need to get to Eisenland? How many hours it will take to get there?”

She huffed. “No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me. And then I’ll tell you he’s worth every mile, every blessed minute.” She frowned. “Will you be coming back?”

That was the part that had me stumped.

“I don’t know. It will all depend on what I find when I get there.” If I met with resistance, then I couldn’t see myself flying back to Bora-Bora.

Writing would be the last thing on my mind.

Flying back to San Francisco, crawling into a hole and licking my wounds would be nearer the mark.

“Have you told Mister Roger about your trip?”

“Not yet.” That was next on my To Do list. Because if I did end up going home, Roger could at least advertise the place.

I rolled my stiff neck. “Am I doing the right thing?”

Aulani joined me at the table on the veranda. “Going after Nick, you mean?”

“Yes. He hasn’t been in touch.” Not that I knew how I’d react if he did. I wasn’t certain the first words out of my mouth wouldn’t be How could you keep this from me?

I’d bared my soul to him. I’d told him the truth. Didn’t I deserve the same in return?

The next words to leave my lips would be Was any of it real?

Part of me believed it was, the part that recalled our nights together, the whispers, the moans, the sighs…

That had felt more real than anything I’d ever experienced.

“Listen, you need to be careful. Kai called me this morning. He told me there was a journalist sniffing around the bar last night, asking questions, and that I was to pass this on to you. Kai said his name was Hans Hasler. He also said he’s sharp as a tack.”

I stiffened. “He was asking questions about Nick?”

She nodded. “Kai said he pretended not to know what this Hasler person was talking about, but then he pulled up the photo Kai had posted.”

“What did Kai do?”

Her eyes twinkled. “Played dumb. He’s good at that.”

“Thanks for the warning.” So what if Nick had broken my heart? I wasn’t about to give this guy any dirt on him.

“When do you leave?”

“I’m on a flight to Tahiti tomorrow. Then it’s Los Angeles, Paris, and then Switzerland.

And then a train to Korenz, the capital city.

” I grimaced. “Twenty-eight hours, and that’s not counting layovers.

I’m gonna be wrecked by the time my train pulls into the station.

” I glanced at my laptop. “And in the meantime I’m going to do a little research. ”

She frowned. “Into what? ”

“Eisenland. Its Royal Family, its history, exports, politics…” I set my jaw.

My plan was simple. I wanted to be a goddamn expert when I walked into that palace.

That was assuming they’d let me past the front door. Gate. Drawbridge.

Whatever.

In my head I was picturing guys in suits of armor, brandishing huge swords or spears. Not to mention the deep, dark dungeon where they’d leave me to rot.

My imagination had gone from Don’t bother me, I’m sleeping to Let’s see what else I can conjure up.

Kai smiled when I walked into the bar. “Hey.” He clasped my hand in his. “How are you doing? Still holding up?”

“I’m better than I was.” The impending trip was the reason. I had something to focus on, and that was way better than throwing myself a pity party.

“Then a mai tai can only improve the situation.”

I laughed. “Bring it on.” I’d avoided alcohol the last two days. The state I was in, it wouldn’t have helped. If anything, it would have made things much worse.

“Did Aulani pass my message on?” I nodded, and he inclined his head toward the rear of the bar. “Then watch your step,” he murmured. “That’s the journalist, last table on the left. The guy on his phone.”

“In that case, I’m staying right here with my drink.” I grinned. “The company’s better too.”

Kai got on with the job of pouring juices and rum into a cocktail shaker, and I helped myself to peanuts, keeping my back to the ocean. When Kai cleared his throat, I knew it meant trouble.

“You’re Giovanni Colonna, aren’t you?” Hans Hasler leaned against the bar, regarding me with an intense gaze that made me squirm.

“You have me at a disadvantage.” I kept my tone neutral, my voice low and even.

“The name’s Hans Hasler. I’m a journalist.”

“I wanted to be a journalist once,” Kai muttered. I blinked, then spotted the twinkle in his eyes. “I had to rethink that. Turns out I could never be one.”

Hasler frowned. “Why on earth not?”

“I didn’t qualify.” He gave Hasler a polite smile. “My parents were married.”

I had to fight the urge to snort.

Hasler bristled, then returned his attention to me. “Can we pick a quiet corner and talk?”

I stared at him with wide eyes. “Sure, but I can’t think for the life of me what you’d want to talk about.”

I could play dumb too.

He gestured to a table out on the deck. “How about there?”

“Fine by me.”

Kai handed me a bigger than usual glass, filled to the brim, and adorned with two cherries and slices of pineapple. “Here. You’re going to need this.”

I had a feeling he was right.

I followed Hasler to the table, and we sat. “So, what can I do for you? I’ll be honest. I didn’t think anyone knew I was here.”

Hasler frowned at me in obvious confusion. “Excuse me?”

I arched my eyebrows. “You’re here to interview me, aren’t you? About my next book?”

He blinked. “Well, not exactly.”

Now he was at a disadvantage, and it felt just fine.

Hasler leaned back. “You’re an author?”

I nodded. “I write under the name G. Meyer. I assumed that’s why you wanted to talk to me.”

“Sorry, but I’ve never heard of you. ”

I brought my hand to my chest. “Well, that’s my ego crushed.” I frowned. “Then why are you here?”

He opened his bag and removed a photo. It was of Nick, the same one that had been all over the news. Then he pulled out another. This time it was Kai’s photo from the bar. He pointed to it. “You know this man?”

“Sure. That’s Nick. He works all over the island. He isn’t around at the moment.”

Hasler’s eyes held a glint. “And you two saw a lot of each other, didn’t you?”

I frowned again. “Not sure what you mean by that. He showed me the island, took me on a hike, we went snorkeling…”

I didn’t like Hasler’s smile. Not one damn bit.

“I heard it was more than that.” Lord, even his voice was slimy.

“Then you heard wrong,” I declared. “Tell me, why are you asking questions about him?” I gave a gasp of mock surprise. “Is he some international crime lord hiding out here?”

Hasler tapped the first photo. “He’s King Nikolaus of Eisenland.”

My jaw dropped. “No shit. Well, he certainly kept that quiet. Where the hell is Eisenland?”

He narrowed his eyes. “So you’re saying you didn’t know? That you and he weren’t involved?”

I stood. “Mr. Hasler, you’re barking up the wrong tree.

I had no idea Nick was anything other than what he appeared to be, and as for your insinuations, all I can say is, someone’s fed you false information.

Which means we have nothing further to discuss.

” I pushed my untouched glass toward him.

“I think your need is greater than mine.” Then I headed back to the bar without a backward glance.

Kai’s eyes shone. “You rock.” He placed another cocktail in front of me. “On the house.”

I snickered. “Do you have all the tables bugged or something?”

He snorted. “I don’t need to. There’s an English guy who comes over here a lot. Weird accent. I think he’s from someplace north, and they must talk funny up there. Anyway, he’s got the perfect line to describe that lowlife’s expression right now.” He grinned. “He’s got a face like a slapped arse.”

I gave a giggle-snort Nick would have been proud of.

I raised my glass. “Thank you. For the cocktails, the conversation, the laughter. It’s been a pleasure knowing you.” I drank half of it, coughing when it hit the back of my throat.

Kai gaped. “Then Aulani was telling the truth? You’re leaving?”

“I fly out of here Friday. And seeing that I don’t know if I’m coming back, I thought I’d better get my goodbyes in while I can.” I finished my drink.

I didn’t want to hang around there too long. Hasler might not give up so easily.

Kai came out from behind the bar and hugged me. “It’s been great knowing you, Gio. And when your next book comes out, I’ll buy a copy.”

“Then let’s hope I come back some day to sign it for you.” I hugged him back, then left the bar.

I had some packing to do.

I killed the buggy’s engine. Aulani’s bike wasn’t there, so I guessed she’d left. Then I spotted a familiar figure standing by the gate.

Claudia had poise, even in casual clothing, and she held her chin high as I walked toward her.

“The lady who was here when I arrived told me to wait. She said you wouldn’t be long.” She held out her hand. “I’m Claudia Kaufmann.”

We shook. “I know who you are. Nick’s friend. And before you ask, yes, I know who he is.” My pulse quickened. “Now tell me why you’re here.”

Her cool gaze met mine.

“I’m here because Nick needs you.”