“Correct.”
“So why would one of the team’s owners fly all the way to Hawaii?”
“Lachlan always said that Dax was just a really good guy. That he’d do the same for any of his players, regardless of whether they made the team millions every year or were barely scraping by in the minors.”
I parted my lips to argue my point further, but Nikko held up his hand, cutting me off.
“Do I think it’s strange? Yes. And taken together with everything else we know, it is suspicious. But like Agent Curran stated earlier, it doesn’t measure up to anything remotely close to the burden of proof needed for an arrest warrant. His lawyers would have him released before he’s even been read his rights.”
I sank into the barstool, feeling defeated. Disheartened. Frustrated.
This was one of the things I hated about this entire situation. Growing hopeful we were on track to getting answers, then being yanked several steps backward.
“Have you shared this with Lachlan?” I dropped my voice. “Including the most recent attack?”
He slowly shook his head. “I figured that was more a conversation to have face-to-face.”
I took a sip of my tea, meeting his gaze from over my mug. “I didn’t tell him, either.”
“It would only worry him unnecessarily. He deserves to enjoy his big win.”
I nodded. “You’re a good friend.”
“I try to be. We may not always see eye to eye, but he’s ohana. And he always will be.”
“Speaking of your long friendship with Lachlan…” I waggled my brows, cutting through the tension. “You’ve got to have some good stories about him as a kid, don’t you? Something incredibly embarrassing.”
He chuckled, the deep rumble filling the space. “Do I ever. There was this one time—”
The sound of the door opening interrupted him. We tore our eyes toward the foyer, Lachlan entering. He dropped his suitcase and turned, about to head up the stairs. But when he noticed Nikko and me sitting at the kitchen island, he stopped, expression wide, concern etched on his face as he stalked toward us.
“What happened? What’s wrong?”
I slid off my stool, feeling oddly at peace now that Lachlan was back.
“Everything’s okay.” I ran my hands down his arms.
Things weren’t exactly okay. But I didn’t want to get into that mere seconds after he walked through the door.
“Why are you awake? Why—”
I wrapped my arms around him, snuggling into his warmth. We hadn’t even been apart for forty-eight hours, yet it felt like so much longer. “I’ve gotten so used to having you in bed with me that I struggle to sleep without you by my side.”
He pulled me closer, inhaling deeply. “I missed you, too, love,” he murmured, his voice evidencing his exhaustion.
I lifted my eyes, lips brushing his. “Congratulations on your big win.”
He smiled shyly, the cocky man I once thought him to be nowhere to be found. “To be honest, I’m surprised I pulled it off with everything going on. But I really wanted to win.” He laughed under his breath, then glanced toward Nikko. “I knew I had nothing to worry about with Nikko here watching my girls.” He gave him a grateful smile. “Thanks, cousin.”
“You pitched a hell of a game, Pohili. Your mother would have been proud.”
Lachlan dropped his hold on me as Nikko approached, patting his back in a bro hug before pulling back and smiling. But then his expression fell, his eyes focused just past Nikko.
We followed his line of sight to see what caused the sudden shift in mood. I should have known.
“Why are you looking at photos of Piper’s paddle-out?” Lachlan asked. He wasn’t angry. More curious.
And concerned.
I met Nikko’s eyes, the two of us nodding slightly. Then he turned toward Lachlan, his expression even, quickly becoming the no-nonsense detective I’d met in Hawaii.
“Agent Curran stopped by earlier today.”
“What did he say?”
Nikko and I shared another look before he turned to Lachlan again.
“You might want to sit down for this one, cousin.”