Queen of Lahaina

By Naleighna Kai and Karen D. Bradley

Someone is sabotaging Dr. Lani Jamison’s career and their tactics are escalating. Are the attacks attempts to prevent Lani from working with The Castle to implement robotic surgery in the hospital? Or does her association with Jordan Spears have his clients seeking to take her out of the picture?

Jordan lives a complicated life from his family dynamics to his “interesting” career. When Lani tries to distance herself from him, he’s forced to temporarily accept it as he staves off the hostile demands of his brother who has racked up debt with the criminals who won’t take no for an answer. Will Jordan be able to convince Lani that their relationship deserves a chance despite its origins? And will Lani survive an unknown enemy’s endeavor to put her six feet under?

ABOUT THE QUEENS OF THE CASTLE SERIES
Each Queen book is a standalone, NO cliffhangers

USA TODAY, and National Bestselling Authors have created a world where women can—and will have it all—love, family, career, and leave a legacy while overcoming generational challenges.

These powerful women, brought together for a higher purpose, change lives by providing safety for those who cannot protect themselves; care for those from tragic backgrounds, and make an impact on their families, communities, and the world at large.

The Kings laid the foundation; the Knights created a bridge of hope between continents; but the Queens will change the world.

Book 1–Queen of Lahaina
Book 2–Queen of Shadow Bay
Book 3–Queen of North Shore
Book 4–Queen of Belize
Book 5–Queen of Kingston
Book 6–Queen of Cambridge
Book 7–Queen of Wilmette
Book 8—Queen of Curaçao
Book 9– Queen of Bahia

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macro Publishing Group
• Release date: Dec 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781952871245

Naleighna Kai

Her name is pronounced (Na-Lay-nah Ki) which means "the determined one is present." Naleighna is the author of Every Woman Needs a Wife, and co-author of How to Win the Publishing Game. Naleighna, a Chicago native who began writing in December of 1999, now pens fiction, romance, erotica, new age, and science fiction. She works for a major law firm in Chicago and incorporates that background into her characters, infusing them with humor and depth that rings with authenticity.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Dr. Jamison to O.R. 8 stat. Dr. Jamison to O.R. 8 stat, a man’s voice blared over the intercom. 

And showtime, Lani called over her shoulder to Sandra, one of the veteran prenatal nurses, as she sprinted in the designated direction. Thoughts of checking on the newborns who came into the world last night would have to wait.

The silver doors to the scrub zone of the operating room hit the walls with a thud as Lani rushed to wash her hands and arms, gloved up, and slip on a mask and gown. She scanned the area. 

Where is everyone?

In a flash, someone shot past her, bursting out of the room so violently that the doors slammed against the walls and vibrated the entire area.

Lani swept into the operating room and froze. No nurses clamored with instruments while prepping a patient. No other doctors barked orders. The silence was unnatural.

What the hell? she whispered, then lowered her gaze. Oh, God! Lani rushed to the cloth-covered table and shuddered with disbelief. A tiny form in pink lay there, blood dripping at a fast clip from those delicate wrists. With a gasp, Lani smacked the alarm on the wall to put the entire hospital and security on high alert. She rushed back to the baby and worked feverishly to stem the flow of blood from its injuries. 

In seconds, the crash doors burst open. Sandra and a newer nurse, Jennifer, jumped into the fray. 

Quick, Lani commanded. Get me sutures and number four silk. We have to stop this bleeding. Call downstairs and have them get some blood up here, pronto.

Sandra was on it, the worry lines in her forehead more pronounced.

I need vitals. Now, Lani demanded. Check her pressure. Bring over that oxygen mask. I don’t like her color.

Jennifer rushed to comply with the rapid-fire instructions, selecting a mask specifically for newborns. Behind them, thundering footsteps echoed in the operating room. 

Someone tried to kill this child, Lani exclaimed to a big bear of a man who almost filled the doorway. Alert security to get the police and seal off the pediatric wing to everyone except approved personnel.

The man barreled out of the room. 

Come on, little one, Lani soothed. Stay with us. Her head snapped toward Sandra. Vitals?

Blood pressure is faint. The heart is fighting like hell to keep pumping. She carefully massaged the small chest. What happened?

I don’t know, Lani replied as she worked in tandem with Sandra. She injected the numbing agent into the skin near the open wound. Start an IV so we can begin the transfusion. We have to get her hydrated. I don’t know how long she was in here before I arrived. 

BP’s rising, Jennifer offered, an unmistakable thread of hope in her voice. Come on, baby girl.

Sandra stroked the child’s tiny head. Her color’s improving. She’s a fighter.

Lani glanced up, whispering, Yes, she is, then returned to suturing. But no innocent baby should have to fight this hard when they just got here.

CHAPTER TWO

Jordan Spears perched on the edge of her bed and tried to tamp down on his anger. Why didn’t you tell me you were dying?

Would it have made any difference? Carla whispered. You always were an absolute gentleman. The perfect companion. You’ve been the best thing that’s happened to me. My family believes you were only with me for my money. And I’m going to let them hold on to that lie. They’re going to be pissed that I left every dime of it to the grands. Every. Single. Dime. She looked up at him, putting a tighter grip on his hands. But I’ve made you the executor of the estate. You’ll see it through. I know you will.

Remembering the dour faces of her children who were holding camp in the waiting room, he was certain there would be a fight on his hands. Are you trying to get me killed?

Not at all. Just wanted someone objective enough to make sure they knew exactly how to guide my grands into being better human beings. I failed them. Their father failed them, so I need to focus on three things—education. Living skills. No codependency. That’s what I want for them. Your center will be a big part of it. Her gaze locked on him. Will you do that for me, please?

How did you know about—

Your life is not as private as you think, Jordan Everett Spears. Your center is an amazing place. I love what you’re doing for those children and don’t understand why you have that um … other career.

It’s not for the money.

I get that, she countered with a smile, then gave him a wink. So, how about one more tumble for old times’ sake?

Jordan’s eyebrows winged upward. Woman, you are not going to have me land in prison because you checked out of here in the middle of an orgasm.

She outright laughed. I need you to promise me one other thing.

What’s that?

I need you to live a little more, she said, and her tone held more concern than it should.

I like my life just fine.

Your life is boring and predictable, Jordan. You’re so afraid of living you don’t do anything outside of your comfort zone. Your meals. Your job. Your women. The same ones for ten years. You like your life orderly, styled a certain way. You have OCD.

I do not have—

Sweetheart, I know what it looks like. I tested you out on that score.

His head snapped up as he glared at her.

I would purposely shift things a little, just to see what you’d do, she said, seeming to ignore the fact that he was angered that she would do such a thing. You’d put the vase, the photos, everything back in their original place each and every time.

Jordan drew his hand back, weighing her words and observations. I compartmentalize things in my mind. It started in my youth when I was in a coma. Then, everything in my world was controlled by everyone else. So yes, I’m organized and kind of like my life that way.

Coma? She shifted a little in the bed. What happened?

I don’t think we should talk about it right now. Let’s focus on happier things, all right?

Well, if you want to make me happy, break me up out of this joint and take me to see the sunset at Lake Michigan.

Jordan rushed towards the door.

Jordan, she yelled. Wait. I was only—

He sprinted down the hall, made it to the nurse’s station and addressed the tall brunette behind the counter, Please, get the doctor here as soon as you can.

Several nurses jumped up from their places when he said that.

No, he said. Nothing’s wrong. I just need his approval to take her to the beach. She’d like to see the sunset one last time.

Two of the nurses gave each other pointed looks while the brunette said, Call him, to her co-workers before turning back to face Jordan. I want to warn you that he’s not going to allow you to do that. The things we’d have to put in place to make that happen cannot be coordinated in such a short amount of time. I mean, in the time she has left...

Jordan thought that over, feeling a sense of helplessness, but with it, a plan formed until one thought hit him square on. Then we bring the beach to her.

Several nurses gathered around, and the head nurse in charge said, What do you mean?

Jordan fumbled in his wallet and said, One of you, please head to Walmart and buy the largest smart television they have.

My shift’s about to end, the blonde said, snatching up his credit card. I’ll do it, but I still don’t see how that’s going to work.

Just bring it. I’ll work something else on my end, he countered while dialing his brother who didn’t answer.

He ended up calling back three more times before Zach finally picked up. I need you to do me a huge favor, man.

Bro, I’m in the middle of the biggest client meeting ever. I only picked up because you never call back-to-back like this. So it must be an emergency.

It is, he said. To me.

He quickly filled Zach in then said, I need you to take your iPad to The Point, just past 69 th Street that overlooks the lake and the city’s skyline. You’re the closest to it.

I’m on it, brother.

A sense of relief filled Jordan as he heard Zach tell the people on his end, I’ll have to reschedule this presentation for another time …

So what can we do? Another nurse said, tapping him on the shoulder. He turned, taking in the solemn expression.

Can you get an engineer up here so we can mount the television along one wall? And a tech guy in here so that my brother can stream the image in from where he is to here?

Got it. She rushed off down the hall.

Your brother’s only going to be able to stream for so long, then his battery will die.

Damn. Jordan hadn’t thought of that.

You could have him live stream for as long as he can, one of the nurses said. Then either upload the video to play in a loop or make a television screensaver.

Great idea, the doctor said as three more people standing nearby nodded.

No, I don’t want to cheat her of the experience, Jordan said, scanning the nurses. If anyone has a portable power source they’d let me borrow, let me know.

The doctor pulled one from his white coat, dropped it on the counter, and slid it over. They let me know what’s going on. I called the admin for approval to bring that television up here. They’re clearing it with security and the loading dock.

Here, I have one, a transport aide said, handing it to Jordan. A few others surrendered theirs as well.

Thank you, Jordan said, scanning the faces of the medical team. Thank you all so much.

CHAPTER THREE

Twenty minutes later, Lani and the two nurses had the baby stabilized and out of danger. While Miracle—as Lani fondly called the unnamed infant—was being transported to the neonatal intensive care unit under armed security, members of the Chicago Police Department stood outside the operating room. 

Lani stepped forward at the same time as a burly man with a cynical expression. 

I’m Detective Coleman, said the dour man draped in a wet trench coat. I understand you were the one who found the baby.

She shook the detective’s extended hand. The moment I arrived on the premises; I received a page over the intercom to report to an emergency in O.R. 8.

The detective inched away, scribbled on a pad, and gestured for her to come with him. The security team and the other officer stayed behind. With a piercing gaze, Coleman took in the layout of the infant wing adjacent to the floor’s operating rooms, then stepped into the doctor’s lounge to take a seat. Lani joined him, perching on the arm of a chair a few feet away. 

Did you see anything out of the ordinary or anyone unusual? he asked. 

Someone ran past me as I entered the operating room. When I made it inside, the baby was there alone and bleeding out … Lani paused to get her quavering voice in check. The adrenaline had worn off and reality set in that the little one could have died.

Coleman stopped writing and looked up from his notes. You didn't think that was odd? 

Lani slid into the seat and looked the detective straight in the eyes. The man across from her had seen a world of horror. His wary eyes betrayed his suspicion.

Of course, she said, That’s why I sounded the alarm.

He squared his shoulders as if put off by her reply. Did you get a good look at the person or ask what he was doing there?

Not ‘he’. It was a woman, she replied, trying her best to recall the details of the encounter. And no, I didn’t question her because she almost knocked me over. A second after she ran past me, I was focused on saving that baby’s life. 

This time his gaze narrowed on her, and Lani held up a hand to halt another battery of questions. All I know is that someone specifically summoned me to that particular operating room. Whoever this woman is, she purposely left that baby for me to find and deal with.

Lani’s focus shifted to Mary, a feisty red-haired resident who walked into the room and tapped a watch on her tiny wrist.

I don’t have all the answers. Lani signaled to the resident that she’d be with her in a minute. Turning her attention back to the detective, she said, I don’t know why anyone would be that cruel.

The detective scribbled some new text, and she noticed he’d put two question marks next to her name. Evidently, he considered her a suspect. In what world did that happen?

Now maybe instead of being suspicious of me, what you need to do is check the security feeds, because she must have slipped out using one of the secured exits. Someone had to have seen her.

She stood, ready to end this whole process. I have patients to see. Is there anything else?

Coleman wrote one last note, took his time rising to his full height, then said, I’ll call you if I have any other questions.

Got it, she answered, and headed back to the nurses’ station with Mary leading the way. 

Who would want to harm a child that way? And why did they specifically want me involved? 

The questions floated in her mind, but no answers were readily available.

The fact that the first person she wanted to call and discuss the situation with was Jordan, was a strong reminder of why it was time to end things with him. She was getting too attached to the man she’d selected as a partner specifically because she could remain emotionally detached in their relationship, if she could call it that.

Lani dismissed the option of talking to him about the day’s events. She would have to find who was behind this nefarious act on her own.

CHAPTER FOUR

The towering Chicago landscape displayed across a life-like screen that stretched alone one entire wall. Jordan remained by Carla’s side as the view changed from the final stages of daylight to a beautiful and colorful sunset.

Jordan whispered, Are you sure there’s nothing they can do?

Not a single thing, she admitted. They tried everything and I’m tired, Jordan. I just want to leave. The pain is just that bad. Well, a lot less now that they have me on the good stuff… She grinned, gesturing to her thighs. Are you sure you don’t think we could—

No ma’am, he said trying to hold back a laugh. You’re not going to have me splattered on the news—Jordan Spears defendant in the murder by orgasm trial.

She laughed so hard she cried.

But I’ll hold you, if that’s all right with you.

I’d love that.

Jordan took off his jacket, lowered the railing, then carefully positioned himself in the bed. I can’t believe I didn’t realize …

You did. You just thought it was something else. You think I didn’t notice that you cleaned my house on the days I couldn’t lift a finger.

Jordan shrugged. I just thought you were exhausted from work. I didn’t know that …

And I didn’t want you to know, she said, stroking the palm of his hand. I didn’t want you treating me any different. Like my children have been doing for the past year.

She sighed, and a world of conflicting emotions was in that sound. Only when that terminal diagnosis came did my son and daughters appear, each fighting for me to come live with them. I guess they felt possession is nine-tenths of the law and whoever had me physically with them would have better access to my money. Fools. My husband raised three completely useless adults. And it took intentionally going to jail to free myself from him, them, and the judge.

A nurse peered inside and raised an eyebrow about the extra body in the bed, but Carla signaled that they were fine. She quietly closed the door behind her.

When I wanted to leave my ex, he sued me for full custody and child support. My modeling assignments brought in enough to cover more than his mechanic’s job ever could. The good old boys network was in play and the judge allowed my ex to use our children as pawns, always wanting more money; always wanting more than I was able to give; always wanting to control my life. She accepted the cup of water Jordan held out to her and took a few moments to let the cool liquid bring refreshment.

Both of those fools tried to drain me dry. I had to hide my assets so they wouldn’t take it all. I slid that money into a place that was out of reach of the American financial and judicial system. Then I angered the judge and my husband when I stopped working altogether. Didn’t take on any new assignments. My ex had to go to work, and he was pissed.

She chuckled and shook her head. Suddenly he thrust a set of angry children in my lap who resented me for not being able to keep them in the life to which they were accustomed. They were his children and represented none of the values I tried to instill in them early on. Their father hated me enough that he made sure they became little greedy replicas of him. All three of them. Toxic just like the rest of his family. After too many incidents with the children living with me, one of which almost claimed my life, I packed their bags, returned them to him, moved out of state and out of reach. I’d had enough of every one of them. That move gave me a few years of peace. She frowned at that moment. Until the judge issued a warrant for unpaid child support that continued to rack up even when I didn’t have money coming in.

That’s so unfair.

Are you asking me or telling me? she scoffed. Spent a few years inside the clink to make it believable, and when I came out, I washed my hands of all of them.

How did they find you?

My blabbermouth sister, she answered and her tone left no doubt how she felt about that woman. We never had the best of relationships in the first place, but she had no right telling them, and they came in like vultures and buzzards.

Buzzards, he said, without thinking. Vultures take you apart after you die.

She grimaced.

That was … I should not have said that.

You’re spot on. She snuggled into him as best she could. I told you my secrets. Now it’s your turn to tell me yours. You’ll know I’ll take them to my grave.

That’s not funny.

It kinda is, but it’s also true. She glanced over her shoulder to lock gazes with him. Spill it, mister. And don’t skimp on the details. Coma. Start with that.

Jordan was silent for several moments, filtering what he should share and what he would like to take to the grave.

The entire time, people didn’t know I could hear them, he said, recalling when he was stretched out on that bed, hooked up to all sorts of machines. I heard my Aunt Bethany praying for me. My Aunt Shelah, too. My mother, sometimes, when she wasn’t demanding answers from God about why it happened to me. My father and my brother, Quinn, wanted me to die.

Your father? She blinked several times to clear her vision. Are you sure you heard that right?

Jordan glanced at the machine monitoring her vitals, following the steady pace and rhythm. One of the reasons my mother was so upset was because my father asked the doctor if he could speed things up so everyone could accept the fact that I would not recover.

Carla gasped and took his hands in hers once again.

Every day, I wondered if it was my day to die. Every day, I let God know that I was thankful to be alive. I believed in my Aunt Bethany’s God because she was putting those prayers up like she expected the Heavens to open up and make things right. It finally did.

Carla’s lips lifted into a smile. And you’re here, but you’ve been half-living ever since. She placed her hand on his cheek. The woman who hurt you the most made it difficult for you to love anyone else. You do it because it shields you from having to love. Really love. You have to forgive your parents for you—not for them. Then the best part of your heart will open all the way… She searched his eyes for a moment. Promise me. You’ll start living and you’ll let love in.

CHAPTER FIVE

What a day, Lani groaned as she opened the garage door to her tri-level home situated in a quiet neighborhood a few miles from the hospital. She entered the mudroom, hung up the puffer jacket and kicked off her work shoes. Dropping her Banda Tote onto the coffee table in the family room, she trudged to the kitchen and went straight for the refrigerator. After pouring a glass of mango juice, she headed back to the family room and settled into the comfy leather sofa.

She placed her weary feet on the table, closed her eyes, and stifled a yawn. To her annoyance, the security cameras at the hospital hadn’t picked up anything relevant to Miracle’s case. The staff members the detective interviewed hadn’t seen or noticed anything out of the ordinary either. For a minute, she thought about calling Daron Kincaid, a member of the Kings of the Castle. Someone who had resources beyond what local law enforcement had at their disposal. She quickly swept that aside for now, believing that the seasoned detective seemed capable and determined enough. If that proved to be false, then she’d bring Daron into the loop.

She sifted through the events of the day, trying to make sense of something so … senseless. The mother was devastated that her child had been taken from the nursery. Lani stayed with both mother and child until the mother had reached a much calmer state. The hospital had no choice but give in to her demands for the baby to remain in her room for the rest of her stay.

Lani was on call as a pediatrician and it wasn’t on the record that she was cleared for that type of surgery. The procedure she’d used to save Miracle today was one she learned last week. Could the stranger have known that she would be able to perform that particular procedure?

None of this sat well with her. Does it have to do with me trying to implement those changes at the hospital?

Members of the board were up in arms because they favored the traditional way of doing things. Even going so far as to have moral clauses in all employment contracts because Meridian was under the umbrella of an Evangelical religious system headed by Joseph Risden. Didn’t stop his son from running through female staff as though they were part of his personal harem. Evidently, the moral parts of the religion must have skipped a generation because Sandoval Risden had none.

Absently, she rifled through her purse and pulled out her cell. In all the chaos of the day, she’d missed a few calls. Lani hit the button for voicemail. 

Dr. Gervais had returned from Africa and was giving her the details of the work she was doing with girls who were suffering aftereffects of genital mutilations. Another reason robotics were needed. It was the best way to perform the delicate surgery to rebuild those girls’ vaginas and the nerve endings that needed to be reconnected to give them a clitoris. Dr. Gervais had every intention of moving to Africa permanently and wanted someone who could help with the surgeries. She saved that message and tapped for the next one.

Dr. Jamison, this is Dr. Risden. She paused the message and massaged her temple behind those six damning words. Today’s actions could cause her to face ramifications from the hospital’s administration that was very stringent about doctors overstepping their boundaries of practice. She was already on their radar because of one person in particular: Dr. Sandoval Risden who hated her