Rescuing A Runaway Bride (12 page)

Chapter 10

Tad turned to study Samantha. “You sure you’re ready to beard the lion in his den, sis? I can go tackle him if you like, and get a few clues to Jake’s whereabouts.”

 
Samantha smiled at the kind offer proving just how right she’d been about Tad’s character but she couldn’t take him up on the easy out. Tensing as she looked up at the estate’s white colonial façade she told herself that she could do this.
Let’s do this before I chicken out.

“We might as well get this over with,” Tad said reluctantly.

“Right.”
Time was of the essence if she was going to find Jake. Samantha opened her car door and got out. Their father was strong but rigid. A self-made man, he’d always expected model behavior from his kids. Samantha always fell short of the mark, but Tad was his pride and joy. This was going to be tricky.

Her stepmother, Carol, opened the door, her eyes widening with surprise and delight. “Well, if you kids aren’t a sight for sore eyes. Your father will be so happy to see you.”

Samantha relaxed realizing there wouldn’t be any recriminations from her about the wedding that wasn’t. “We need to see Dad. Is he at home?”

“He’s in a private meeting in the den.”

Her father’s loud booming voice, obviously in heated conversation, stopped her short.
Oh great, he’s already ticked off.
She shifted her gaze to look through the open doorway between the rooms focusing on the man standing across the desk from her father. Even from the back she recognized Jake’s wide-shouldered stance. Well, at least she wouldn’t have to track him down. Her father looked up at that moment and saw her standing there. He said something, and Jake spun around to see her. Samantha fought the urge to turn and flee from his irritated gaze. Gone was her lover and in his place was the granite-faced investigator.

She found herself snared and held motionless by his compelling gray eyes nevertheless. Samantha felt as if she was standing in quicksand. She broke eye contact and turned her attention to her father. He looked a bit haggard. She felt a pang of regret for any pain she’d caused him.

“Hello, Samantha,” Samuel said gruffly. “It’s good to see for myself that you’re in one piece.”

“I’m fine, Dad,” she said, walking into the room, surprised by her father’s display of emotion. She flicked an inquisitive glance Jake’s way. Her presence had probably messed up his plans. But just what were those plans? “Mr. Ramsey,” she said with a nod, acknowledging his presence.

“So we’re back to Mr. Ramsey now,” Jake said, his mouth kicking up with reluctant humor.

“Would you prefer goon?” Samantha replied sweetly.

“No,” Jake said solemnly, “I’d prefer to go back to a first-name basis, if you don’t mind, Samantha.”

“No problem,” Samantha said, feeling a deep pang of regret.
The last time he’d called her that they’d been making love.
Was he trying to remind her of that sweeter time? She couldn’t afford to relent. For her brother’s sake, she had to see this through.

Her father cleared his throat. “Samantha, if you’re through sparring with my Chief of Security, I propose we get down to business. Your brother’s got a lot of damage to fix.”

“Fine,” Samantha said in a clipped voice. So Jake told him about Tad’s involvement. She pinned Jake with a steely gaze. “Well, Jake, as you can see, the lettuce has hopped out of the icebox. And my question to you is
,
what kind of crap have you been telling my father?”

“Samantha Katherine Logan,” Samuel said harshly. “I’m surprised at you using that kind of language. Jake is a friend and a valued employee. I can assure you anything he tells me is the honest truth.”

Samantha continued to scowl at Jake confused and angry. Jake reached out to touch her and she pulled away and noticed a flicker of distress cross his hard face. Why was he so hurt after he’d been the one to reject her?
Unless he’d done it to protect her.
Then she remembered his wound and looked at his shoulder.

“I’m fine,” Jake said tightly.

She sighed. How the hell had he gotten into her heart in such a short time? “I don’t need you to
baby-sit
me,” she said out of pure self-defense.

“Oh, but I think you do.” Jake’s smile was harsh.

“But…”

“He’s right, Samantha,” Samuel cut in. “Jake told me about Tad’s involvement in the thefts…”

“In Tad’s defense,” Samantha began her plea.

Her father shook his head. “Don’t worry about it, Samantha, honey. I understand there were extenuating circumstances.” He added with a tender smile, “I love you and Tad very much.”

Astonished, Samantha could only gasp and her father’s delighted smile warmed her heart. Maybe she owed Jake an apology.

Her father continued on, “Jake has also filled me in on the reason you fled your wedding, and more importantly on the events that happened at the cottage.”

Samantha’s smile faded. Jake had told her father about her finding Grayson in bed with another woman? He’d led her to believe that he’d let her broach the subject in her own way and time. His high-handed tactics were irritating. But, in a way, she was glad she didn’t have to talk about it. Still, it was embarrassing.

Samuel’s voice broke in on her musings. “I was, of course, upset to find out about St. James’ infidelity. I’m sorry, Samantha honey, don’t you worry. I’ll deal with him.”

The idea of Grayson being fired appealed to her, but did she really want to be responsible for ruining his career? He hadn’t bothered her since she’d scared him that night. “Don’t. Let him stand or fall on his own merit. I don’t care.”

Samuel nodded. “I want you under Jake’s personal protection until we get the individuals involved in the thefts and attack on you arrested. Jake has agreed to stay on with the firm until the case is solved.”

Stay on in the firm. Where the hell is he thinking of going?
The thoughts flashed through her head before she focused on the words.
His last case.
Oh great!
It was probably the least sexy, least romantic prospect she could think of. She wouldn’t keep him by her side with strings attached. But maybe that’s all she’d ever been to him, just a job. On that painful thought, she surged to her feet. “No thanks. I’m going to take care of myself from now on,” she said and then turned on wobbly legs and collided with Jake’s hard chest.

His arms came out to hold her fast. “No way, sunshine. This little lettuce is not getting out of my sight.”

She snuggled against him for one blissful moment weakening before telling herself to suck it up. “No thanks,” she said troubled by Jake’s worried look. However, even in her state of fury, she couldn’t help responding to Jake’s nearness. Inhaling his natural, masculine scent, she was transported back to the nights he’d touched her and she’d tasted him. Would she ever get the chance again? If she had the chance to go back into his bed, would she? He liked her, he lusted for her, but he didn’t love her.

Looking over her shoulder, she saw Carol and Tad standing in the hall. Tad had a militant expression on his face and Carol looked concerned. She hated the distress she was causing them by rejecting Jake’s protection. She turned her head to glance at her father. Worry lines bracketed his mouth. He seemed to have aged overnight. Oh hell, Jake had her trapped in his web and he knew it. She glanced up at his victorious expression. She really had no choice but to become his last case.

* * * *

Samantha slid into the driver’s seat of her car frowning as Jake slid into the passenger seat beside her. What the hell was she supposed to do now? With a sigh, she turned the key in the ignition. She was just going to have to make the best of an awkward situation. She gazed back at him, confused and off balance. She wasn’t at all sure she’d be able to resist him day and night but she was damned determined to. This time he’d have to make all the moves if he wanted her. She was through throwing herself at him.

“You can turn left,” he said.

She frowned at him and cut her wheels to the right. Oh no, she was not going to his place. If she had to deal with him, it would be on her own turf.
“No way.
I’m not going to your place,” she stated flatly.

His jaw tightened momentarily before he let out a sigh. “Fine, we’ll play it your way for now. You might as well keep on going to your place.”

She frowned. He seemed so determined to remain cool and businesslike. “So you know where I live. I wouldn’t have thought that would be any of your business.” She was unable to resist the temptation to keep on baiting him.

“I keep tabs on you,” Jake responded evenly. “
It’s
part of my job as head goon,” Jake said and smiled at her gasp. “I know about your business Samantha’s Special Affairs, and that you’ve gone into debt to get it going. I know that you rarely date. That was until you moved back home and met your ex. I know when I kiss you, your toes curl,” he added with a half-smile.

She gazed at him in shock at how accurate his info was. He’d obviously been wasting his time working at
LI,
he should have been a world-class spy or something. So why had he buried himself in this job? Even as she thought it, it rankled that he’d had her investigated. “Snoop.”

He grinned as she pulled into a parking spot next to her apartment.
“Guilty as charged, brat.
We need to talk about why I left.”

She heard his less than apologetic tone and frowned. Didn’t he know how torn up she felt? Or didn’t he care? The last thing she wanted from him was a half-hearted excuse. “No we don’t.”

Jake nodded. “Maybe you’re right. We can hash this over better inside.”

She got out of the car, walking up to her front door as she pulled her key from her bag. If this was going to work she had to establish some boundaries. Even as she thought it, he took the keys from her and opened the door pressing her back.

“Stand back and let me do my job.”

Well hell, he already thought she didn’t trust his abilities. She didn’t want to add fuel to that fire so she stood cooling her heels for the moments he checked out her apartment. Then a glance over her shoulder told her he had back-up arriving as two of his staff’s vehicles pulled up. She recognized them on sight. Oh great, he was turning her place into an armed camp. Maybe she should have gone to the safe house after all but she’d made her stand and she had to abide by it.

She froze when he eased into her place gun drawn and her worried gaze immediately went to his shoulder. How badly had he been wounded? He still moved like a predator, even if a slightly wounded predator. She couldn’t let him get shot on her account again. Without waiting for permission she strode into her townhouse but she relaxed feeling good vibes. Her thoughts that the trouble lay at LI confirmed, she relaxed a bit. Then Jake stalked back her way with a fierce look on his face for disobeying his direct order and she just smiled at him her heart melting. She guessed it was up to her to save the tough guy.
Even though he wouldn’t thank her for it.

She closed the door behind her wanting to block the possible fireworks from her neighbors.
Mrs. Morley for instance from two doors down was probably peeking at them through her lace curtains.
Then Jake stepped into her personal space and she burned deciding her place suddenly seemed so small and intimate with him standing there. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked into his eyes and knew she had a decision to make—run away—or find out just what it took to make him hers. So why was she so nervous all of a sudden?

“Now for the rules,” he said. “You do everything I say when I say or face the consequences.”

She glared back at him even though his sensual threat thrilled her deep inside but she knew it wouldn’t pay to weaken. She had a few demands of her own.
Demands that would save his stubborn ass.
“Agreed, if you agree to my demands.”
She held her breath for a minute as he hesitated.