Captain Sandoval stuck his head in the door. “Everyone ready?”
Tessa pulled down the bags from the bins, passing them out to their owners. Josie, Trevor, Willow, and Katherine helped carry Abbi’s and Sophia’s things, while Bryce took the kids’. Connor held tightly to Molly’s leash, but the dog made no move to get away. She stuck close to the quiet child as if she really were his companion.
Josie was pleasantly surprised at how well organized the captain and his crew were. The ride to the hospital was spent enjoying the scenery. Josie had never been to the Big Island, and she found its Old-World charm to be more beautiful than the lavishness of the more modern islands she and her family visited when she was younger. There was something to be said for the air with its gentle breeze. Unlike the big city of New Atlanta where everything was in constant motion, the island held a laid-back vibe. She couldn’t wait to visit Kai’s homeland.
The next couple hours were spent eating takeout from a local restaurant while Sophia and Abbi were checked over. Both babies and mothers were deemed fine, and as soon as they had eaten, the group made their way to the resort Sixx had reserved. In their haste to pack, no one had brought a bathing suit, so Tessa took it upon herself to ask for everyone’s sizes and preferences. They each had their own room, but they all ended up in Isabelle’s suite. Both kids went down for a nap without fuss. Tessa had a laptop she must have packed, and she used it to search for a store where she could order bathing suits and have them delivered.
“We don’t know how long we have until we leave for Samoa, and I for one could use a dip in the pool,” Tessa explained. “Plus, the kids need some normalcy. Just because we know this isn’t technically a vacation doesn’t mean we can’t treat it as such. Our lives are going to be stressful when we return home, so I suggest we use this time to relax as much as possible.”
“Don’t forget to order tons of sunscreen,” Trevor motioned down his body. “The fluorescent lighting of the morgue does not a tanned body make.”
Raised voices coming from the hallway had everyone jumping to their feet.
“My daughter-in-law is in there,” a deep voice Josie recognized growled.
Tessa reached out to stop Josie as she headed for the door. “That’s Ariki, Kai’s father.”
“Look through the peephole to be sure.”
Josie did as her friend requested, then threw open the door. “Bryce, it’s okay. Ariki…”
Kai’s father grabbed her arms gently. “Laʻu tama teine, let me look at you.”
“I’m fine, I promise.” Josie noticed another male who was definitely Kai’s brother. “You must be Pono. Thank you both for coming to see about me.” Pono smiled, placed a fist against his other palm, and bowed.
“Bryce? What’s going on?” Two more men strode down the hallway in their direction.
“Sinclair, Sixx. Good to see you both. This is Malakai’s mate, Josie.”
Both males fisted their heart and, in unison, said, “On my honor.”
Josie gave a little wave, but she was awestruck at the sight of Sixx. She knew he was Desmond Rothchild’s father, but seeing the male in person was shocking how much alike they looked. Sixx smirked, and Josie blushed. “Sorry. I’m Josie, and this is Malakai’s father and one of his brothers. Ariki and Pono, these males are Sinclair, the King’s brother, and Michael Gentry, who goes by Sixx.”
Josie waited while the males grasped arms in greeting.
“Now that the posturing is done, why don’t you all come in out of the hall?” Tessa said from the doorway.
Sinclair grinned. “Tessa, I’m surprised you left Gregor to fend for himself.” He entered the room and pretended to shoot Tessa. Sixx followed, and Josie gestured to the room.
“Please, join us.” Her new family entered the room, and Josie made the introductions. She and Kai’s father and brother stood off to the side while Sin and Sixx greeted the others.
“There really is a dog,” Ariki said as Molly growled at the newcomers.
Tessa walked over to where they were standing and knelt beside the Lab. “Molly, friends.” Molly stopped growling and began sniffing the two males. “My brother has an affinity for animals. He convinced Molly some Gargoyles aren’t the enemy.”
“That’s an amazing gift to have.” Pono let Molly sniff his hand, and when she leaned into his palm, he rubbed her head.
“Where are Thane and Gannon?” Tessa asked.
“Thane is guarding the elevator, and Gannon is posted beside the stairway door. Rocky and Desirae send their love, by the way. When we told them where we were going, they were pissed we wouldn’t let them come with us.”
“I’m surprised you left them behind,” Tessa admitted.
“We’re only here until the others arrive, then we’re headed back home. Desi is on a break from touring, so he and Simone are there with Rae. It wasn’t all that hard to convince Rocky to stay behind. She and Simone have gotten close,” Sixx said.
Pono snapped his fingers. “That’s why you look familiar.”
Sixx smiled, looking more like his son. “Guilty as charged.”
Sin looked around. “Where are my two favorite kids?”
The bedroom door flew open, and Amelia ran straight for him. “Uncle Sin!” Sinclair caught the whirlwind as she jumped for him.
“Hello, my littlest love. Where is my little man?”
Amelia pointed to the bedroom. “In there. He’s drawing again.”
Isabelle rushed to check on her son, and Amelia turned to Kai’s family. “I’m Amelia. I don’t know you. Are you my uncles too?”
Josie explained who the two males were, and Amelia told them, “Oh.
