Malakai (Stone Society #13) - Faith Gibson Page 0,115
with photos of both Clans together. Josie had her favorite blown up and framed. It was the two of them kissing after the ceremony. Ariki stood off to one side, his face full of pride, while his brothers looked on with smiles. Her headpiece along with Kai’s golden leaves were displayed on a table underneath the picture. She couldn’t wait until the arrangement had its special place of prominence in their home once it was rebuilt. Josie knew if she and Kai ever had a wedding, it wouldn’t hold a candle to the mating ceremony.
They were getting ready to meet Henry, Kili, and several other couples at Frey’s home for a barbecue when someone pounded on the door. Josie was fixing her hair in a messy updo that Kai loved, since it gave him access to her neck. A voice she hadn’t expected boomed through the apartment when Kai opened the door.
“Josie, you—”
Josie rolled her eyes and padded barefoot into the living room. “Presley,” she said in her best bored tone.
“What the hell are you wearing?” Presley looked Josie over from her messy do to her bare feet.
“A lavalava. What are you doing here?” Josie didn’t want to be petty and throw her relationship with Kai in her sister’s face. Wait, yeah, she kind of did. Kai must have read her mind because he strode over to her and kissed her soundly.
Pressing their foreheads together, he said, “I’m going to get ready.” Kai then kissed her temple and left the room, completely ignoring Presley.
Josie watched him walk away because she could. When she looked back at her sister, she asked, “What do you want?”
Presley noticed the photo and stalked over for a better look “What is this?” she asked, pointing to the headpiece.
Josie joined her to make sure Presley didn’t touch anything. “If you notice in the picture, this is my ceremonial crown, and these are Kai’s neck and leg pieces. That is his father, Ariki, and those are his brothers.”
“His father looks important. Like a—”
“King? That’s because he is.” Josie stepped between Presley and the photo. “We’re just on our way out, so I’ll ask one more time; why are you here?”
Presley opened her moth then shut it. Josie almost laughed because it was rare for her sister to be at a loss for words. Kai returned, carrying Josie’s sandals. He knelt in front of her and slipped them on her feet. When he brushed his fingers across her ankles, Josie glanced down. Her breath caught at the love staring back at her. Kai’s phone pinged with a text, interrupting the moment. He stood and wedged his phone from his pocket. When he read the message, Kai laughed.
“That was Trevor. Again. Making sure we’re bringing the keke fa’i.”
“I guess it’s a good thing we made two of them. I can see him hiding the one so he can take it home with him.”
“What’s a keke fa’i?” Presley asked.
“Cake,” they responded in unison.
Presley studied the two of them, and if Josie hadn’t witnessed the change for herself, she never would have believed it. Presley smiled, and it was genuine. “Uh, the reason I stopped by is to tell you I appreciate all your hard work. Dad and I went over all your notes, so when we hire your replacement, they’ll be able to jump right in where you left off. Anyway, have fun at your… wherever it is you’re going.” Presley walked to the door, and when she turned, she told Kai, “Welcome to the family. I’ll see you both Sunday for dinner.”
When the door closed, Josie muttered, “Huh.” There really wasn’t anything else to say. Smiling up at Kai, she asked, “Ready?”
“Ready, Sunshine.”
With two banana cakes in hand, they headed out to join her other family for dinner.
Epilogue
June 2050
Malakai held his breath as the announcer called out the judges’ decisions.
“By unanimous vote, the winner of the welterweight title is, for Team Palamo, King – the Cobra – Massey!”
The shouts from the crowd were deafening. The title bout had been fought in New Atlanta’s arena instead of an out-of-town venue, and approximately thirty of the Stone Society along with Kai’s parents and several members of his family were in the crowd, cheering on Kai’s star fighter. Kingston had been the first to sign up to train under Malakai, and less than two years later, had won their first title match. When the young man walked through the door of the training center, Malakai knew there was something special about the