The Hero She Deserves (Unbroken Heroes #4)

Leilani perched on the corner of his desk. “I have a friend from Oahu visiting?—”

“No.” This was a topic Leilani loved. She was forever trying to set him up.

She got a stubborn look on her face. “I want you happy, Sawyer. You deserve it.”

“I am happy.”

She rolled her dark eyes. “Fine. I want you getting some. You deserve that too. You know that regular sex leads to lower blood pressure, decreased stress, better sleep, better heart health?—”

“Leilani…”

“You look tired,” she said quietly. “I worry about you.”

“I’m all right. I just didn’t have a great night’s sleep.”

She wagged a finger at him. “Sex would help with that.”

He groaned. She was like a damn terrier that wouldn’t let go of a bone.

Deputy Sheriff Jesse Lee stopped beside them, file in hand. “Leilani playing matchmaker again?” The man was in his late fifties, with graying black hair and a barrel chest.

“I’m being a concerned friend,” Leilani said.

“What have you got?” Sawyer looked at the file, hopeful Jesse had something that would get him out of the office again.

“PD called. Asked if we can take a look at a place out in Haiku. They think the people staying there might be linked to the drug case they’re working. I’d go, but I’m due in court.”

Sawyer stood and held out a hand. “I can take a look. Surveillance, only?”

“Yeah.” Jesse slapped the file in Sawyer’s hand. “They’re building a case and hoping to take the entire ring down. They’re peddling fentanyl on the island.” Jesse’s face hardened. “Been an uptick in fentanyl overdoses lately.”

“I’ll check it out.” Haiku was on the other side of Paia. It wasn’t too far away.

Leilani hopped off his desk. “I haven’t forgotten our conversation.”

“I have,” Sawyer said.

She poked her tongue out at him, then headed for her desk.

Sawyer grabbed his keys and headed out. In the parking lot, there were several Sheriff Department SUVs parked in a row. He climbed into his, then opened the file. He scanned the details, then plugged the address into his navigation system.

Yes, his work now wasn’t as dangerous or high-intensity as his Ghost Ops days, but it was still important. He liked knowing he was helping to keep the people of Maui, and the tourists who visited, safe.

He tossed the file on the passenger seat and started the engine. As he drove out onto the street, he wondered what Hollis was doing today.

No. No thinking about Hollis Stanton. His hands flexed on the wheel. He had work to do.

This.This was what she needed.

Hollis had done some research, and found a hiking trail just along the coast from Paia. She paused on the trail, gripped the straps of her small backpack, and breathed.

The air was warm and humid, and the lush scent of plants and flowers filled the air.

She continued on, her leg muscles pleasantly warm. She got to the top of the hill and smiled. There was a gorgeous view of the ocean and coastline. She exhaled. She could feel her blood pressure lowering.

It was easy to see why Sawyer had moved here and stayed. Of course, that made her thoughts turn to him, and not the view, or the interesting, complex script she’d read that morning.

It was clear he’d needed a haven after the military. She hadn’t asked what branch he’d been in, and now she wondered how he looked in a uniform. If it was anything like the way he looked in his Sheriff Department uniform… She fanned herself. Here she was, drooling over a man like a teenage girl.