Accidental Shield (Marriage Mistake #6)(11)

Yeah, I can imagine one thing.

How about a desperate, lying SOB who’s not really your husband?

I don’t know what to say. For a second, guilt roils my blood, quickly overruled by cold logic.

“You look thirsty. Cash said you should stay hydrated. Let me get you something to drink.”

Back in the kitchen, I remember she didn’t finish her pineapple juice. Too sweet, maybe, so I open a bottle of tea, pour it in a glass of ice, and carry it out to her.

“Mango flavored. Hope you like it.”

She smiles as I hand her the glass. “I was hoping for iced tea. And if anybody hates mango, maybe they need their heads checked for amnesia. Something’s clearly wrong.”

Good call on my part. Lying shouldn’t be this easy. I take the lounge seat next to her, trying not to dwell on this charade fuckery.

“Did you really build this place?” she asks.

“Yep.”

“All of it?” Her mouth goes for the tea, taking a long pull off the glass. Far more seductive than it should be.

“Most of it,” I growl, trying not to let my dick run off with my head. “Had some help with a few parts like the wiring and plumbing, but the carpentry was mine.”

“When?”

“Just finished the final touches about a couple months ago.”

Hard to believe. A few months later, and here I am with a chick crashing in my digs who I can’t even have a normal fucking conversation with.

Valerie nods, sipping her tea. “So that’s why it looks so unlived in. Where did we live before moving here?”

“Honolulu.” That’s where I’d been with Bryce for years, and it’s where her family lives, too.

“We’re on the other side of the island, aren’t we? Farther north?” She smiles like she’s talking about some far-off land. Not the other side of an island that hardly takes an hour or two to drive across.

I wonder how much she ever traveled. Or was she shut up and sheltered?

“Yeah, right near Punaluu,” I tell her. “Lots of green. Nice mountains. Organic farms. Small towns. Just how I like it.”

She smiles real sweet. “Funny how you can live on an island this small, but never take the time to appreciate what’s in your own backyard. If I never did before, I’m sorry. I guess that’s the silver lining...seeing everything with fresh eyes.”

I don’t have the heart to tell her there’s no damn silver lining at all.

What she said is true. I lived in California years ago, but only saw less than a fourth of the state. Moving to Hawaii, I explored every inch of Oahu the first few months, so when I sold my patent and was ready to build, I knew exactly where I wanted my place.

“How long have we been married?”

I shake my head. “Not long.”

She smiles. “I’m not overdoing it with the questions, am I? I’m just—” She sighs. “I don’t know. Curious. It’s so strange, losing your freaking mind.”

“I’m sure it is. It’s not gone for good. Trust in Cash. I’m sure it’ll be back.”

She smiles and extends a hand to me. Can’t resist grabbing her wrist, sliding up to her fingers, and holding her just like that.

It’s my turn to feel that strangeness hit. I can’t even remember the last time I ever held a woman’s hand. I’ve never hurt for attention, or putting my balls to good use whenever I want, but it seems like that’s all I’ve done between raising Bryce.

Romance? No fucking time. No motivation, either, if I’m blunt.

Still, it almost feels natural as an easy calm settles in. We spend most of the afternoon just sitting on the lanai, not doing much of anything. Fine and dandy.

She dozes on and off with the cat on her lap, and during those naps, I scour the web on my laptop, learning all I can about her family’s company, King Heron Fishing, Val by visiting social media sites, and Cornaro news by scanning underground sites through a secure cloud based network. It lets me log into the dark web undetected.

She’s awake when Cash arrives for the evening checkin.

I get the grill going while he’s examining her. It keeps me busy while being close enough to take in everything going on.

He doesn’t stay long, and I follow him into the kitchen.

“What’s the verdict?” I’m hoping like hell for some good news.

“She’s doing well,” he says. “No sign of internal injuries or long-term muscular damage at all.” He nods to the archway that leads to the living room and front door, then leans in and whispers, “I left an envelope on the table by the front door. Take a look when you get a chance.”

“Wha—” Sensing someone’s footsteps in the breezeway, I change my question. “When will you be back?”

“Tomorrow as planned,” he says, nodding at Val in the doorway. “But call if you need me sooner.”

“Okay. Will do.” She nods and walks over to stand next to me.

Cash leaves. I dig out the ingredients for a salad to go with the fish I’m about to grill.

She’s hesitant when it comes to assembling the salad. I’m guessing it’s not because she doesn’t remember, but she’s probably never spent much time in a kitchen. Her family is loaded, wealthy beyond belief, old world blue blood that makes my nouveau riches look like a damn joke.