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I’m thankful for the advice. Cris Ardmore’s demands for conversation throw me.
    “Matthew will meet you when you land in Kona. Be good, be careful.”
    “I always am.”

Chapter Four
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    T he flight is long, which I’m not usually in favor of, but I need the sleep. When the pilot announces our descent into Kona, I’m awake and feeling rested. It’s happening. In a few hours, I will meet the man who’s occupied my thoughts more than I’d like to admit for the past… Has it only been sixty or so hours? It seems like so much longer.
    I touch up my makeup, not wanting to waste the time once we’ve landed. When I’m done, I settle back, starting to get into character—but I can’t. Not until we’ve had our little chat. I have to be India Burke for a little while longer. Although he’ll still think of me as Kit Bailey-Isles, and that’ll be disconcerting. Damn Cris Ardmore and his need for conversation . This is far more trouble than I usually go to. He’d best make it worth my while.
    When we filter off the plane, Matty is waiting, and I give him a hug.
    “Aloha, kitten.” Matty was born on St. John and didn’t leave the Virgin Islands until college. He’s got the most beautiful latte complexion and lovely accent to show for it. Tall and wiry, his dark hair is clipped short, and he’s wearing a white linen button-down over pressed khakis. He doesn’t look like he spent the same six hours as I did on a plane.
    “Aloha, Matty.” I greet him with a kiss and take his hand. People often comment on what a handsome couple we are, which is hilarious. We are affectionate with each other and move with the easy synchronicity of people who’ve been together for a long and happy time, so it’s easy to forgive and we don’t correct them. The truth is far too complicated for your average bear. Matty is Rey’s sub, although they more regularly play with other people. He runs the administrative side of Rey’s business and, oh right, acts as my sometime babysitter/escort/bodyguard.
    While Matty picks up our rental car, I find a bathroom to change in and slip into an orange, white and navy tunic dress. I frown at my reflection. My hair’s made it through the flight relatively intact, black curls loose and glossy, and though my gaze catches on it, no one else will pay attention to the slight rise at the bridge of my nose. The only person who’s ever had a problem with that was my mother. Not even Hunter had said anything about it, and he’d had something to say about every square centimeter of me. My mom started dragging me to plastic surgeons when I was twelve, all of whom had been professional enough to turn us away.
    So, no, it’s not my “imperfect” nose that’s bothering me. It’s my eyes. They’re more conspicuous than usual. Most people don’t notice they’re two different colors because the difference is subtle—one green, one hazel—but not today. Through some trick of lighting or maybe the contrast with what I’m wearing, I’m practically emerald on one side and chestnut on the other. My sister used to tell me it was the mark of the devil.
    When I get outside, Matty’s leaning against a black 4x4 Jeep. It’s spotless and new, but a far cry from the luxury car we usually have.
    I cock my head in question.
    “Our friend lives off the beaten path.”
    A smile creeps over my face, and I bite my lip in anticipation. Matty laughs and raises a dark eyebrow as he holds open my door.
    “Rey said you were looking forward to this, but I had no idea. You have got it bad.” He hands me up before slipping into the driver’s side. The beast roars to life. “Can’t say I blame you. He is…appealing.”
    I gape at him as he pulls into traffic. Matty rarely expresses an opinion about the men I’m going to see, unless he doesn’t like the look of them. Then he’ll try to warn me off, which I should really take more seriously. He was right about Vasili. But this is the first one he’s had anything