Rescuing A Runaway Bride

by Jans, Honey

  “I wish,” he said with regret. “I’m afraid duty calls. Samuel has a lead on the broker for the dummy stock sales. I’ve got to go in to work and run down a few leads. This time I think we’ve hit pay dirt.”

  Samantha was disappointed, but she knew Jake’s duty to the firm came first. Whatever it took to wrap up this caper was worth it. She turned to face him with a bright smile, eager to be in on the clincher. “I’m going with you. It’ll take me ten minutes to get dressed.”

  Jake went still. “No.”

  Samantha set down the coffee scoop and slanted an inquisitive glance his way. Wondering why the sudden change of mood in him. “You can’t mean that. Remember, I’m your partner. You can’t just up and leave me here to twiddle my thumbs.”

  He faced her displeasure calmly and resolutely. “I meant every word I said. Stay out of this, Samantha.”

  She wrinkled her nose as she frowned back at him. Why is he being such a jerk all of a sudden? They’d had this argument before, and she’d won. They were partners whether he liked it or not. It wasn’t fair of him to try to change the rules now. Was there more to her father’s phone call than he was saying? The thought scared her a little. “Why should I stay out of it? We’re talking about white collar crime here, not murder, incorporated.”

  He arched a brow. “Have you forgotten being stalked and attacked at the cabin?”

  “Of course not.” She sighed. His closed expression told her she had little chance of changing his mind, but she had to try. “Those were just random acts of violence. Everything’s been perfectly fine since we returned.”

  He shook his head. “In this case, I’d rather be safe than sorry. You’re staying home. Period. End of argument.”

  Samantha scowled up at him. How dare he think he could order her around? That wasn’t his function anymore. He’d better learn that fact, and fast, or he’d be out on his ear. “I’ll go on my own then.”

  A nerve pulsed in his tense jaw. “You do, and I’ll see to it that you can’t sit down for a week,” he said dryly.

  Samantha gasped at the barbaric threat. Gazing at the steely look in his eye, she suddenly decided that she wouldn’t put it past him to resort to spanking her to control her. She automatically backed against the counter. “Lay one hand on me, and you’ll draw back a bloody nub.”

  The tension seemed to roll off of Jake as he flashed her a startled grin. “Bloody nub? Don’t be so dramatic, sunshine. I’ve got to go. I don’t want to keep your father waiting.”

  She fumed, but realized she was being just as unreasonable as he was for her own reasons. She was worried about his safety. But the best way for him to stay safe was to focus all his energy on the task at hand. She’d probably just be a distraction if she were there. “Fine go. Save me from the bad guys. I’m just a weak little lady, who needs a big strong hero like you to save me.”

  He flashed her an apologetic smile as he walked toward the door. “Don’t you dare try to follow me down there. I told the security guard to bar you from the building until further notice.”

  Samantha scowled as she followed him toward the door. “That’s just peachy.”

  He stopped at the door and bent to brush a quick kiss across her lips. “I’ll make it up to you when I get back.”

  “I might not be here,” she said.

  He stopped in his tracks and turned to slant a panicked glance her way. “Don’t even joke about walking away, sunshine.”

  “I just meant that I might go into the shop.” She read the concern in his eyes and knew that he was concerned for her safety. “All right. I’ll stay put until you get back. I guess you should get going.”

  “Later,” Jake said, walking out the door.

  “Yes.”

  Jake pulled out his cell phone. “I’ll call Laura to sit with you.”

  She didn’t relish the idea of company right now. Her emotions were too raw. “No, thanks.” When he hesitated, she hurried to reassure him, “I don’t need a babysitter, Jake. I’ll be fine. Besides I’ve got this nifty little alarm you put in to protect me.”

  “I hate to leave you alone.” He gazed at her rebellious frown and slid his phone back in its holster. “Okay, you win. I guess I’ve pushed my luck far enough this morning. Just make sure you set the alarm. And don’t forget the panic code.”

  Samantha smiled up at him, hoping to reassure him. “I won’t forget. Thanks to you I have my new alarm system to protect me. You need to leave now, or you’ll be late.”

  Jake glanced at her appreciatively. “You’re something else, sunshine. I’ll definitely make it up to you when I get back. Get ready for love lesson number ten.”

  Samantha locked the door behind Jake and slumped against it. “Dear Lord,” she prayed, “please don’t let anything happen to him.” She paced the confines of the living room for a moment, and then went into the bedroom to get dressed. Stewing over Jake’s mission wasn’t going to do either of them any good.

  As she pulled on her clothes, she couldn’t stop worrying about Jake. He was fast becoming the most important person in her life. She should have told him she loved him, now she might never get the chance. His concern for her safety made her wonder about his. Could he be right? Could the attacks on her be related to this case? Maybe she should drive to Logan Industries and lurk around outside.

  She wandered back into the living room, and a tap on the door jolted her out of her reverie. Had Jake called Laura anyway? It might be nice to have someone to talk to. Suddenly glad of the company, Samantha hurried to the door and tore it open. She realized her mistake in an instant. But by then, it was too late. “Oh my God.” She gasped and backed away. Grayson stood on the step, pointing a black revolver at her heart.

  Her eyes widened as she took in the anomaly of her usually dapper ex-fiancé dressed down in a ratty flannel shirt, worn jeans, and blue baseball cap. It was the same combo her stalker wore. Suddenly it all came together, the random acts of violence she’d experienced after she’d left him hadn’t been random after all. He’d probably worn the clothes for affect. Her rejection must have totally unhinged him. The smirk on his face told her that he was enjoying himself. The creep.

  * * * *

  Jake pulled into his parking slot, walked through the front door, and headed for Samuel’s office.

  Tad bumped into him in the hall and fell into step beside him. “I’m surprised to see you leave Sammy’s side. What’s up?”

  “Samuel’s got a lead on those stock sales.” Samuel looked up as Jake entered his office with Tad on his heels. “You made good time, Jake. Did you come solo?”

  “Yep. I had a tough time of it, but I eventually managed to make her stay home. I had to threaten to turn her over my knee.”

  Tad let out a whoop of laughter. “I’d like to see you try it. You’d draw back a bloody stump.”

  “That’s pretty much what she said,” Jake admitted wryly.

  “I could have told you my darling daughter doesn’t take discipline well. I tried spanking her after she ran into traffic when she was six. She bit me. Hard! But let’s move onto less amusing subjects. Here’s the full report.”

  Jake took the paper Samuel handed him. He glanced at the investigator’s report and felt his shoulders tighten. Somehow he wasn’t surprised. He’d always thought it was an inside job. “So the money trail from Sun-Worthy Investments led straight to Delbert Logan.”

  Tad gasped and peered over Jake’s shoulder at the document. “Uncle Delbert? I don’t believe it. He’s been so nice to me since I came to work with him. He always welcomed me into his office to chat or visit Jennifer.”

  Jake frowned at the disclosure. The whole murky scheme was starting to come into focus. Delbert had probably dangled the sultry Jennifer before Tad like a tempting piece of bait. But why did he try to discredit Tad? Was it jealousy or something darker? Or did he just simply need a fall guy? “Figures don’t lie, kid. You have to admit, he’s been acting a little strange now that his retirement date
is growing nearer.”

  Samuel heaved a heavy sigh. “I can hardly believe it myself. He’s always been my most trusted and loyal employee. He’s family, my half-brother. Delbert came to work for me right after I took charge of the firm from my father forty years ago. Do you think he’s the one who’s been selling our secrets to the highest bidder?”

  “That’s what I’m about to ask him.” Jake took the report out of Tad’s hand and turned to Samuel. “Call the police and have them meet me in Delbert’s office. He has a lot of explaining to do. And I want the cops here when he spills his guts. Something tells me that he wasn’t in this alone.”

  Chapter 14

  Samantha gasped and took a step back. “Grayson, what on earth are you doing here? The need for closure I can understand, but this is just plain pathetic.”

  “Closure, my ass.” He sneered while brandishing the gun. “Do you think I was really in love with you? It was an act. All I want is your name on a marriage license, and I’m not fussy how I get it. We’re going to Vegas to get married, sweetie pie. It’s all part of my master plan.” Grayson chuckled.

  Appalled, Samantha gaped at him. Did he really think he could get away with forcing her to marry him? He had to be bluffing. “Some master plan. You’re a fool if you think I’m going to marry you.”

  He glowered at her. “That’s exactly what you’re going to do if you don’t want me to put a bullet in you. Jenny could assume your identity, if you force my hand. A little dark hair dye and your ID, and she’d be quite convincing. She’s done it before. She’s quite a good little actress.”

  He wasn’t bluffing. Samantha cringed at the chilling threat. She suddenly had no doubt he would cheerfully carry it out. He was quite mad. She could see that now. His suave mask had lifted to reveal the monster inside. Still she had one trump card he couldn’t beat. “No one in their right mind would believe I married you of my own free will.”

  He thrust a pad of paper into her hand. “Sure, they will. You’re going to leave one of your famous notes. Remember, you have a history of leaving notes and running away when the going gets tough. After the spat you and Ramsey had this morning, you decided to dump him and elope with me. Play along, and you’ll keep breathing.”

  Samantha cast a desperate look at the alarm box in the next room. It was too far away to push the panic button. She wished she were packing a gun.

  Grayson grinned. “Once we’re married your shares will be mine to control. And, with dear Uncle Delbert in my hip pocket, Logan Industries will finally be mine. Now write before I have to get nasty. And don’t try to mess with me. I’m all out of patience as far as you’re concerned.”

  Nasty. He’d been nothing but. So it was all about shares. Lives destroyed in Grayson’s quest for power. But what was the connection between him and Delbert? Samantha picked up the felt-tipped pen and reluctantly scrawled the words Grayson dictated. At the bottom of the page, she tried to surreptitiously make a doodle of an umbrella. Umbrella. Stormy weather! She could only hope Jake would make the connection. Hopefully, he would read between the lines and come to her rescue.

  Grayson snatched the paper away, smearing ink across the bottom. “I told you not to try any cute stuff, bitch.”

  “I’m not. Honest. I just tend to doodle when I’m nervous, remember?”

  Grayson scowled, glancing from the note to her. “Yeah, I remember the doodle of a skunk you made on your note to me.” He jerked her toward the door, stopping to slap the note on the countertop.

  Samantha thought a skunk described him to a tee as she fell into step beside him propelled forward by the gun pressed against her side. They stepped out the door and headed toward a brown panel van parked at the curb. Just then, she spied Mrs. Morley from two doors down fetching her mail. Grayson stiffened beside her and slid the gun around to jab painfully into the small of her back.

  “Good morning, my dears,” Mrs. Morley said. “Lovely day, isn’t it?”

  Samantha pasted a bright smile on her lips. There was no way she could let this sweet old lady place herself in the line of fire. “Yes, it’s a nice day. Looks like rain later, though.”

  Mrs. Morley looked up at the blue sky. “I don’t think so, dear. There’s not a cloud in the sky.”

  Samantha could feel Grayson’s finger twitch on the trigger. She stiffened but realized to Mrs. Morley’s eyes, it probably looked like a romantic embrace. Hoping to calm Grayson down, she said, “Right you are, Mrs. Morley. Those weathermen are usually wrong.” She felt Grayson relax beside her and slanted an assessing glance his way. Would he get the umbrella, storm connection?

  Grayson bestowed his most brilliant smile on Mrs. Morley. “You might as well be the first to know, ma’am. Samantha and I made up, and we are in the process of eloping. Isn’t that right, sweetie pie?”

  Samantha thought of the carnage that might result from the wrong answer, and murmured, “That’s right.”

  “How wonderful,” Mrs. Morley said with a bright smile. “Don’t let me detain you two lovebirds from Cupid’s work.”

  Samantha watched her neighbor go back inside with a sinking heart. Now she was alone with the monster, and he’d already laid the groundwork for his claim of elopement. Despite his promise to keep her alive, she knew her life would be worthless once she signed the marriage license. Grayson yanked her forward, and she stumbled toward the van. He prodded her to slide open the cargo door.

  Samantha peered into the dark, dusty cargo bay. It was walled up from the driver’s compartment. Riding in there would be like riding in a metal tomb. She slanted a rebellious scowl Grayson’s way. “I’m not sitting back here.”

  “Don’t give me any of your lip, bitch,” he snarled, backhanding her. Then he gave her a hard shove into the cargo bay.

  Samantha slammed up hard against the wall, seeing stars a moment before he slid the door shut, enveloping her in darkness. She shivered as the oppressive isolation settled around her, then forced herself to calm down. She closed her eyes and visualized her dewy meadow, but this time Jake was battling Grayson to protect their wildflower realm. Jake would decipher her clues and come to her rescue. But until he did, she’d have to keep her wits about her to come out of this unscathed.

  They drove for what seemed like hours, and the temperature soared in the cargo hold. She coughed at the fumes that leaked inside. Good Lord, does he intend to asphyxiate me instead of shoot me? Suddenly he jammed on the brakes and she went hurtling toward the front slamming against the wall with a thump. “Ouch!” She went still and held her breath, trying to pick up sounds from outside. Is it Jake? Has he intercepted the van?

  The door flew open.

  She blinked against the sudden brightness, then felt her hope vanish. Grayson stood outside, leveling his gun at her again.

  “Get out,” Grayson demanded.

  Samantha slid to the edge of the door and sat for a moment, gazing out at her surroundings for help. There was no help in sight. They were alone, parked at the edge of an airstrip. Several Logan Industries’ jets sat at the ready. And then she saw someone walk out from a small outbuilding.

  Help at last. But, no! As the figure approached, she could see that it was a blonde woman dressed in a miniskirt and skimpy halter-top. “Jennifer,” she groaned.

  “Got it in one, sweetie pie,” Grayson said then chuckled. He waved the gun ahead. “Move it, before I change my mind and leave you here. You’d cook in that tin can before anyone found you.”

  Samantha scowled at him, but quickly hopped down. She wouldn’t put anything past him. The jerk was certifiable.

  “I see you brought the goods,” Jennifer said with a grin. “Good work, honey.”

  “Have I ever failed you, babe?” Grayson said.

  “Not so far.” She slid a critical gaze over Samantha. “She doesn’t look any the worse for wear.”

  “Well, now, it wouldn’t do to have my fiancée all marked up for the wedding. People might think she was coerced.”

  Samantha
scowled at the two of them. Their mocking exchange made her see red. She bit back her hostile retort. She’d bide her time and wait for a chance to escape or a rescue. Then she’d be the one laughing. In the meantime, she’d have to act as cowed and intimidated as she felt. It wouldn’t be hard.

  * * * *

  Jake tore into Delbert Logan’s office, holding the damning paper in his hand. He’d finally gotten past the false front Delbert put up and found his culprit.

  Delbert looked up from his computer and gulped. “What can I do for you, Jacob?”

  “For starters, you can tell me why you’ve suddenly turned traitor on Samuel Logan,” Jake said, eyeing the man’s discomforted reaction.

  Delbert’s face turned red. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve been a loyal employee ever since I came to work here forty years ago.”

  Jake saw past the older man’s bluster to the outrage beneath. “But you’re more than an employee. You’re a trusted member of the family.”

  “I used to think so,” Delbert muttered. “And then they started trying to force me out. Forty years of loyal service for my half-brother and what? A gold watch and a condo in Miami for my reward? I don’t think so.”

  “What I’m still trying to figure out is who put this bug up your butt,” Jake watched Delbert shuffle the papers on his desk nervously and knew that he’d hit a nerve. This seditious scheme hadn’t come from Delbert. Someone had put him up to it, but to what purpose? The shares he’d just accumulated were barely enough to make a ripple. “I also wonder why you thought your thousand shares were enough to make an impact.”

  “I might not have enough shares on my own, but added to Samantha’s, I’ll have a majority.” He smiled and eased back in his desk chair.

  Samantha’s shares! She’d always had a soft spot for her uncle, but he didn’t believe she’d turn against her father even if they didn’t always get along. “You don’t expect Samantha to hand them over to you, do you?”