“Oh my god, how can we ever thank you?” I heard a woman cry, then our progression was stopped when she stepped in front of our group. “You are all heroes, every last one of you. My Becky, and all those girls, would be lost to us for
ever, if you hadn’t swooped in and saved the day.”
I gasped when the woman pulled me into a tight hug, then pulled back and said, “Bless you. Bless you all.”
“We’re just happy your daughter is going home safe,” I assured her, my throat clogging at the sheer relief on her face.
“Aloha nui loa,” she said, before spinning on her heel and rushing back to the man and young girl, waiting by the one of the ambulances.
“Cade,” I managed, then I felt him behind me and turned into the safety of his arms, and wept.
Hours later, we sat outside around the fire at home. I had an ice pack in one hand and a cold beer in the other. My body was pretty banged up, and I had bruises scattered all over my body, which had made Cade’s jaw clench when he saw them. I’d taken a couple Motrin and was on my third beer, so I didn’t really feel any pain.
I knew tomorrow I’d be crying in my Loco Moco, but at least I was back and safe, and with my family again.
Elin and Elena didn’t really know what went down, all they knew was that we’d all left in a hurry, and when I came back, it looked like I’d been in a serious accident. I didn’t want to lie to them, but I hadn’t been ready to get into the details yet either, so I promised to explain it all later, and assured them that their mom was okay.
They were satisfied with that, since I was obviously back with them and in one piece, but I knew they’d make me hold true to my promise. And I fully intended to. They both needed to know the truth about the predators out there. I’d rather cause them a little worry and upset with the knowledge of what could have happened to Alani, Hannah, and me now, than fall victim to predators themselves in the future.
Alani was sandwich between her parents, who understandably hadn’t let her out of their sight since we’d returned home.
Jun, Chris, and Ripper were all with us, drinking beers and explaining how everything had come to pass. Elena and Elin were inside watching TV and talking to their friends back home on their iPads. I knew even though they loved being here, they were starting to get a little homesick.
“So, Cade was with the MC and Jun and I were talking to a couple of guys at the bar when Ripper came running in to tell us that he knew where the auction was going down,” Chris was explaining. “Seconds later, Cade calls and tells us he just heard from Alani and he put in a call to one of his MC brother’s actual brother, who was now in the Coast Guard. Once we had a plan in place, shit came together quickly.”
“I can’t tell you how good it was to see you guys sitting in the audience,” I said, smiling at the reminder. Then my eyes filled with tears, which had been happening a lot, and Cade pulled me closer to him.
“The funniest shit was when the Coasties tried to tell Cade he couldn’t board the ship with a weapon … Fuckin’ arrest me then, he said,” Jun said, laughing so hard he was bent over. “Those guys took one look at Cade, who was beyond pissed, and let him keep it.”
I looked up at my man, remembered how fierce he’d looked when he’d busted into that room, and kissed him softly on the cheek.
“Have you heard from Hannah?” Ripper asked Alani, who looked younger than ever tucked into her father’s chest.
Alani shook her head.
“Her mom said that she’s still at the hospital for observation, and she doesn’t want to talk to anyone. Hannah said she doesn’t want to go to graduation either.”
“She just needs some time, Ku‘uipo,” her mom assured her as she brushed her hair back lovingly. Then she looked up, her gaze sweeping the faces of everyone around the fire, and added, “I can’t thank you all enough for what you did for Ni Ni and her friend. Over a hundred girls are safe and sleeping in their beds tonight because of you. You should all be very proud of yourselves.” Her voice broke at the end, and she stood up quickly, saying, “Excuse me,” before rushing inside the house.
Cade watched his mom, then started to stand, but I stopped him by putting my hand on his arm and saying, “Let me.”
With a small smile to Pops, I stood and followed Cade’s mom into the house. I walked inside, looked in the kitchen, waved to Elin and Elena, who had their headphones on as they talked into their iPads, then went down the hall.
I found her in her bedroom. She was sitting on the edge of her bed, crying into her hands. I considered the fear she must have lived through all day, then the utter relief that her daughter was safe, and knew she had to be emotionally drained.
I crossed to her, sat down on the bed, and gathered her in my arms. I held her as she cried, this sweet, loving, strong woman, and emotion hit, causing tears to run silently down my face as I did.
“I’m sorry,” she said, once she could catch her breath. She pulled back, wiping her cheeks with the backs of her hands, then looked me in the eye and said, “Thank you, Lila. I knew you’d bring them home.”
Her faith made me feel guilty. I clutched her hands in mine and said, “But, if I hadn’t gone after Alani and taken her to the port, we never would have been in that situation…”
It was the worry that had been nagging at me all day, and what I’d essentially told Cade on the ship. I couldn’t stand the thought of what could have happened to Alani, and that it would have been my fault. I couldn’t imagine how Cade and his family could forgive me for that.
Cade’s mom clucked her tongue at me and proved she was her son’s mother.
“If you hadn’t gone, Hannah and those other girls would be lost and hurting. I’m grateful that you were there for Ni Ni and her friend, and I’m very, very sorry you were hurt in the process.”
I shook my head in denial. “I’m okay.”