Burning up the Rain (Hawaiian Heroes) Read Online Free

he drew the line at following her through kitschy pet boutiques. When the fluff-ball peed on his favorite leather jacket, Jack realized he didn’t like her enough to put up with her dog. He sent her expensive flowers and made himself scarce.
    His sister was the only woman he knew who didn’t like to shop. Emme lived in swimsuits and jogging shorts, just throwing on a jacket and a pair of jeans in the winter. With her affinity for the ocean, she’d definitely like the informal atmosphere on the Big Island. Next time he came over, he’d bring her. They hadn’t spent much time together in the last few months, and he missed her, even if she was a pesky little brat, nagging him about his drinking and his long work hours.
    “Where are Bella and What’s-his-name?” Jack asked, draining his beer. “The TV survival dude. Thought they’d be here. Don’t they live right up on the mountain?”
    “Joel Girand. Bella had to drive him in for a doctor appointment. He’s recovering well, but it’s only been a month since he was shot. They should be here soon, though. His appointment was early afternoon.”
    “A semiautomatic round at close range, it’s damn surprising he lived,” said Jack. He rubbed his own ribs in sympathy. “Damn surprising any of them lived.”
    He’d watched the news stories with horror. Bella, her celebrity client and three models hired to showcase camping gear and clothing for her sporting goods company had been kidnapped by the crazed heir to a California drug syndicate. They’d apparently survived only because a freak wind storm had struck before they could all be murdered in cold blood, and because Frank Lelua had managed to get his hands on a gun. The tough ex-cop had survived a beating to help save Bella and the others.
    “The grace of God,” Malu agreed. “And Mother Pele.”
    Jack nodded respectfully. Hawaiian legend credited Pele with having created these islands. While the Ho’omalus were Christian, they were comfortable with their cultural legends as well. The older Ho’omalus could send chills down his back when they “talked story” around an evening fire here at the beach.
    On this untamed island, he could believe many things he’d scoff at back home. He just wished he were Hawaiian himself—he could use a little help shoving the world off his shoulders.

Chapter Three
    “So what else is new?” Jack couldn’t put his finger on it, but he wasn’t the only one who was stressed. Malu wasn’t his usual mellow self.
    The big Hawaiian turned to him. “Jack, I gotta tell you, we can use your advice. You remember the Helmans, crime syndicate out of LA trying to get in here, sell their drugs?”
    Jack shrugged. “Yeah. But they’ve all died in freak accidents here on the island, haven’t they? Weird, but not a bad thing, if you ask me.”
    Malu nodded. “We thought so too. Thought Hawaii was rid of them. But it turns out they were fronting a billion-dollar land deal here on the Big Island. Most of the financing is from the Helmans’ CalTrend Corporation.”
    Jack stared at his friend, beer forgotten in his hand. “No kidding? Where?”
    Malu shook his head, his handsome face grim. “On our back doorstep. Right up the mountain.”
    Jack set his bottle on his thigh, barely noticing the chill. “ What? I thought you were surrounded by National Forest.”
    “Kau Forest to the south of us, but there’s another strip of private land between us.”
    “Oh, man. How long have you known about this?” He could barely wrap his mind around the idea of development on this country flank of the volcano. There were houses, sure, but they were mostly small or half hidden in trees and shrubs.
    “We’ve known only for a few weeks—since the last Helman died in that, ah, freak storm at Na’alele.”
    “ Shee -it,” Jack breathed. “What’s the timeline on this? There’s a whole process of hearings and such. The developer had to get permits. Who hands those out here?”
    “Hawaii