Five Stars (Desire Island 5)

“Malia took me to a hairdresser to get what was left of my hair styled.” Shani gave a small laugh, amending, “Well, not really styled. It was too hacked up for a style. But once she’d sort of evened it up, I found I kind of liked it super short. It was a totally different look to go with the new me—the me who would never let herself be fooled or bullied again.

“Malia was great, letting me stay at her place as long as I needed. I started looking around for job opportunities but I really wasn’t up for working in retail. Options are pretty limited when you only have a high school diploma from a reservation school. I found the Desire Island job totally by accident. I was on Malia’s computer one day looking through want ads, and I got frustrated and bored and started scrolling around various BDSM sites for a distraction. And I saw this advertisement about the place, and it sounded like heaven on earth. I knew I’d never be able to afford to go there as a guest, but then I saw in very small print at the bottom a section about job opportunities. I applied and, amazingly, got an interview and got the job! Master Ryan and Mistress Ella know I had a bad experience because I didn’t want to lie on the questionnaire, but they’ve always respected my privacy. They’re great that way. No judgments.”

Adam took her hand once more. “I hope you know I don’t judge you either. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to feel so powerless at the hands of an abuser. I’m truly in awe of you, Princess.” He kissed her again, gently at first, and then with more passion.

When they finally parted, she laughed, a bright, ringing sound of pure joy. “Thank you for listening. I feel—I don’t know—I feel so light. Like I just put down a huge weight I hadn’t even realized I was lugging around.”

Adam nodded. “It’s got to feel good—to get that off your shoulders. Secrets like that can be very heavy loads to bear. Thank you for trusting me. I think you’re amazing, Shani. I bet the Shani in the folktale was the most heroic of them all.”

Shani laughed again, her face radiant. “Don’t let my sisters hear you say that.” She sat up straighter and closed her window. “Now, we better get going. Mama makes the best frybread in the state, and it’s been way too long since I tasted it.”Chapter 9Adam stood back as five women rushed out of the small house set on a tiny plot of land. They raced down the set of stairs that led from the wraparound porch. The women were tall and graceful like Shani, but, unlike Shani, they all had long hair, thick and shining in the noon sun.

The oldest, who must be Shani’s mom, had her hair plaited in a long braid down her back. It was, he saw as he moved a little closer, threaded with silver, though her face remained smooth and unlined. All of the girls were pretty, but none as lovely as Shani, though he recognized he was probably biased.

Shani flew into her mother’s arms and they both began to laugh, cry and talk at once. Nina Youngblood stroked her daughter’s closely cropped hair, a flash of pain moving over her face, though she continued to smile. The four sisters crowded around, and eventually Shani hugged and kissed each one in turn before finally turning back to Adam.

“I’m sorry,” she said, still laughing, tears on her cheeks. “It’s been so long—too long—since I was home.”

She looked back to her family, who were all focused on Adam now. “This is Adam Hawk. Adam, meet my mom, Nina Youngblood, and these are my sisters—Kaiah, Malia, Yareli and Chenoa.”

He moved toward them, greeting and shaking the girls’ hands as they clustered around him. Nina stood a little apart, watching him with a bird-like, inquisitive gaze, as if sizing him up.

He approached her last and took her hand lightly in his. Her palm was rough and calloused, her grip firm. “Welcome, Adam Hawk,” she said in a deep, calm voice. The hint of a smile lifted her lips, but he sensed her reserve.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs. Youngblood,” he said.

She shook her head. “Call me Nina. Thank you for bringing Shani home to us. Please come inside and share a meal.”

The house was tiny but filled with sunlight. The wood-paneled walls were adorned with woven wall hangings and there were bright throw rugs on the linoleum floor. A hallway led off the main room, presumably leading to the bedrooms. There was a swinging door at the back of the space that, judging from the delicious aromas of fresh bread and roasting vegetables emanating from it, was surely the kitchen.