That’s right, I said, the news. And we weren’t met only by about a million news vans, many more than I would have thought possible on an island, but the local police, a bunch of men in suits, and what looked to be the distraught families of the victims, were also waiting.
The Coasties ushered our group to the side, and I heard one of them tell Cade, “If anyone asks, you were never in possession of a weapon.”
To which Cade replied, “What weapon?”
“Exactly.”
While they were all talking, I turned my head to see the girls being led off the ship, then heard the uproar of cries from their families as they were reunited with their loved ones.
Tearing up, I grabbed Alani and hugged her to me, and we both watched the touching scene unfold before us.
“They’re going to need to get statements from both of you,” Cade said softly to Alani and I. “It’s not going to be quick, or easy, but they need all the ammo they can get for when these assholes go to trial.”
Alani and I both nodded, then I was distracted again by someone shouting my name.
“Delila, are you the same Delila Horton from Greenswood? The one who took down the Mexican Cartel when they tried to sell using Country Club wives?”
Shocked, I looked up and to the right, to see a short man with a microphone and a large camera behind him, sporting a local news logo.
I gasped when Cade rushed toward him and grabbed his mic.
“Wait here,” I told Alani, then ran after him. “Cade, stop, it’s all right.”
“Get that fucking camera out of her face before I smash it on the fucking ground,” Cade threatened.
I put my hand on his arm and shot a half smile at the reporter, then tried to diffuse the situation.
“Look, what went down today was a horrible, terrifying event, and I understand the need to report it. To let the people of Hawaii know what was going on here on island, so that they can protect their children. Really, I do… but, this is not something that we want to have broadcasted all over the world.”
When the reporter looked like he was about to protest, and I felt Cade’s arm vibrating beneath my hand, I clarified, “What I mean is, we don’t want our names broadcast all over the world, even though we do want people to know what happened here. So, what do you saw we make a deal? I promise to give you a full account of what happened here… everything, and you promise not to use my name, or the names of my friends and family who were involved. Deal?”
The reporter considered for a moment, and I knew he had to understand that not only was I offering him information, but by keeping us anonymous, he’d be saved from Cade’s wrath.
“Deal,” he replied, accepting my offered hand and shaking it.
“Okay?” I asked Cade softly, stroking my hand down his arm.
I took Cade’s grunt as a positive response, and shook the reporters hand back.
“First, she sees the medics, then the cops, then, if she still wants to, she’ll talk to you,” Cade amended. I let him have his macho moment, figuring he needed it after I’d been once again taken by bad guys. It helped that I agreed with everything he said.
The reporter nodded, watching Cade fearfully.
Satisfied that the reporter wasn’t going to do anything to piss him off, Cade dragged me over to one of the waiting ambulances and asked the medic to look me over.
“Ma’am, do you have any narcotics in your system?” The sweet young medic asked.
“Nope, I’m drug free,” I quipped, then lifted my shirt. “I do have some bruising though.”
“Cade, can we see you over here?” one of the Coast Guard guys called.
“You okay?” Cade asked, his eyes filled with concern.
I reached a hand up and touched my palm to his cheek, trying to comfort him, at least a little. I knew how hard it was for a man like him to feel helpless, and I was sure that’s how he’d felt all day, knowing Alani and I had been captured by Yusuf and his goons.
“Yeah, babe, I’m fine. Go,” I urged. After I watched him walk away, enjoying this sight a little more than a banged up broad should, I turned to the medic and asked, “Do you have anything for the pain?”
A couple Motrin, a police report, and down and dirty interview later, we were finally ready to head home.