Read Online Love or Justice by Rachel Mannino - Free Book Online

Dante’s steady gaze briefly, then looked away.
    “Kissing Ricky Pearson by the soccer field.”
    They nearly choked on their laughter.
    Laurie rolled her eyes.
    “I hope it was a good kiss.” Cheyn gave a mischievous smile.
    “Well, it was my first kiss, and he was my big high school crush at the time. I went home thinking it was the best day of my life. Then I sat at home, waiting for my parents to get back from picking up my little brother, and this police officer shows up at my door. Well, that was that.”
    “What happened then?” Dante moved closer to her.
    “My uncle in Seattle couldn’t take care of me. They have too many kids of their own. I went into foster care until I was eighteen. They helped me get the job at the resort, and that’s where I’ve been ever since.”
    Dante sat close enough to Laurie to see her eyes mist over. He should have left Cheyn at the house and taken her hiking by himself. Dante wanted to cheer her up with this trip. Now she was sad again. He wanted to reach for her hand, to offer some comfort, but he wouldn’t dare, even if they were alone.
    “I’m sorry you lost your family, Laurie.” He shifted forward until his knee pressed against hers just a hair. He would settle for that brief contact. “It’s a tough life growing up in foster care. It’s probably what makes you so brave now.”
    Laurie smiled. She hugged her knees into her chest, taking away the brief contact Dante had with her.
    “I’m not brave.” She turned her face away to stare at the waterfall
    “Now that’s not true, Miz Laurie. You attacked the guy at the resort, and you’re in the Witness Protection Program instead of just running off to your uncle in Seattle.” Cheyn’s expression sobered.
    “Well, it’s the right thing to do isn’t it? Serve the greater good?” Laurie pulled up a few pieces of grass and twirled them around her fingers.
    “Do you mean the greater good for you or for everyone else? Because most people will just choose the greater good for them. A lot of people won’t agree to go into Witsec because they’re too scared. You are brave.” Dante locked eyes with her.
    “Yes, you’re a super woman.” Cheyn flexed a bicep. “You attack bad guys and fight crime. Most of all, you eat what Dante cooks for you—now that shows a lot of bravery.”
    Dante turned on him with a look designed to melt metal.
    “I don’t see you pulling out the frying pan in the morning.” Dante shoved his snacks back in his pack.
    “Of course not. They invented cereal so you don’t have to.”
    Laurie laughed at both of them. She laughed so hard, she fell back onto the grass clasping her mid-section. She stared up at the sky peeking through the dense foliage above. Then she turned her face toward Dante.
    He smiled at her, and he felt the ground shift beneath him when she smiled back. He was in trouble. If he wasn’t careful, he was going to be in big trouble. Giving in to this electric, delicious attraction would be foolish. She wasn’t going to be in Hawaii much longer. He would eventually lose her and maybe his job too. He broke the connection and looked back at the waterfall.
    They sat for a while in silence, watching the water pour down from the sky. The sun dipped behind the waterfall’s horizon, and several rainbows appeared. They hovered in mid-air above the waterfall’s mist.
    “That is so beautiful,” Laurie breathed. She turned to Dante. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
    Dante’s breath caught in his chest. All he could do was nod in response. The sun illuminated Laurie’s face, bathing it in a rosy gold. Her hair caught the light, glowing around her face like a halo. Gratitude shone in her eyes as she smiled at him. It was the most striking picture of beauty Dante had ever seen, and he would remember that vision of her for the rest of his life.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER SIX
     
     
    Laurie
     
    Laurie was in the car. Her parents were in the front seat.