Play for Me (33 page)

“I think I'm going to be sick,” said Jordan disdainfully. “Too
much lovey-dovey stuff.”

“Like you should talk when you're with Deb?” retorted Sam
and then she looked at Ian sadly. “He's got to go out of town protecting our
country.”

“Sorry,” said Jordan and he shook Ian's hand. Both he and
Sam watched him walk away. Jordan turned to Sam. “Why don't we catch a break?
This is good stuff here. I think Jett will really like it.”

“You think so? I know the songs are mostly ballads, but I
can just hear Jett singing them,” said Sam.

“He'll be impressed,” promised Jordan. “Let's go grab some
food.”

Jordan slid into the seat behind the wheel of his car and
Sam started to enter the passenger side when someone knocked her down by brute
force. Sam felt herself being dragged away and screamed for Jordan. The
attackers pushed Sam into the trunk of their car and sped off the property.

Thinking quickly, Jordan dialed nine-one-one and sped off
after the car. He quickly read the license number to the dispatcher, including
the make and model of the vehicle. Jordan felt sick to his stomach. They were
messing with his sister and who were they and what did they want with Sam? It
better not be Drew again.

Frightened beyond her wits, Sam explored the trunk with her
untied fingers. She started to breathe normally, avoiding a panic attack.
Obviously, these guys were not professionals. According to the movies she had
seen, weren't they supposed to drug her with chloroform or inject her with a
something? Weren't they supposed to tie her limbs and gag her? Besides, what
did they want with her? She paled after a second thought. What if Drew had
ordered this? Now that she had been on the mainland did the restraining order
still apply? She listened closely to the conversation in the car realizing they
were speaking in Spanish. Sam only knew a smattering of Spanish and couldn't
figure out what they were saying. Going back to her exploring, she located the
release button in the trunk. At least now she could get out if the situation
warranted it. They were speeding and she'd have to wait until a complete stop
to get out.

“Que pasa!” screamed one of Sam's abductors and the car
skidded precariously to a stop. Sirens sounded loudly in the distance.

“Damn!” Sam tried to brace herself, but she hit her head.
She heard the doors open and footsteps sounded as the abductors tried to run
away. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the release button and the trunk door
swung open. She looked around, not knowing her where they had left her, but she
saw Jordan and Toby running towards the car.

“Sam!” cried Jordan, and he quickly snatched her in his
arms. “Oh, Sam,” he breathed softly. “Are you okay?”

“I think so,” said Sam, still feeling shaken. “What
happened? Why did they try to take me?”

“I've got a call into Ian,” said Toby as he held his phone.

“Why would this involve him?” asked Sam, confused.

“This is not something Drew would do,” said Toby. “Look at
the facts. Ian is called out of town as an emergency from his partner. Your
abductors are Latino. If it were Drew, he'd be using his bodyguard.”

“So you're saying that whoever did this called Ian out of
the country to kidnap me?” Sam looked at Toby in disbelief. “How do they know who
I am?”

“Know your enemy,” said Jordan shaking his head. “If they
had you, Ian would be putty in their hands.”

“I need to sit down,” said Sam as her legs gave out.

“Here,” said Jordan as he led Sam to Toby's car. “Man, Ian
is going to be pissed big time.”

“So is Jett,” said Toby shaking his head. “He's going to be
royally ticked off that someone invaded his property as well as something
happening to Sam.”

“Jett will probably fire me,” moaned Sam as she put her head
in her hands. “First, Drew tampering with his house and now this. He's probably
asking himself why he hired me in the first place.”

“We warned him about you,” laughed Jordan, and he gave his
sister a bear hug. “I'm so glad you are okay.”

“I got Rock on the phone,” said Toby and he held up his hand
for everyone to be quiet.

“Don't tell me he's an ex-Seal, too?” whispered Sam to
Jordan.

“It appears so,” confirmed Jordan

“Someone tried to kidnap Sam,” explained Toby to Rock. “The
police have the men in custody, and Sam's fine.”

“The whole thing for Ian is bogus, man.” Rock swore into the
phone. “It's the Garcias, man. Well, they have met their match.” Rock ended the
call and Toby turned to Jordan and Sam.

“Sounds like Ian's work isn't done,” explained Toby. “Let's
get back to Jett's place. I've called for extra security.”

“You're not going to tell Jett, are you?” asked Sam
hopefully.

“He's gotta know,” said Toby, shaking his head.

“I need to get back to Maui,” said Sam.

“Uh, no. You're staying here indefinitely,” confirmed Toby. “It's
a good thing you have Cracker with you.”

“Jett's or my apartment?” asked Sam.

“Jett's. This way I can keep an eye on you.” Toby turned to
Jordan. “You need a ride to the airport?”

“I do,” said Jordan shaking his head at his sister. “We
don't tell the parent's anything about this, got it?”

“I'll take it to my grave,” swore Sam, crossing herself. “Oh,
if Bunny ever found out, Lord. She'd have me back in Chicago under lock and
key.”

“That's not a bad idea,” said Jordan as he tweaked his
sister's hair.

“Where are you headed now?” asked Sam, sorry to see her
brother leave.

“Deb and I are going to Detroit and then to Chicago. I
promised Deb I'd help with the wedding plans,” confessed Jordan.

“I still can't believe it,” said Sam somewhat jealous. She
wished Ian would be a little bit more…she wasn't sure what she wanted. Engaged?
Living together? Married? Sam's head hurt.

“Jett's on the phone,” said Toby as he handed his phone to
Sam.

“Are you okay?” asked Jett. “What the hell is going on?
Between Maui, now this? Sam, you're a trip.”

“I'm sorry, really, Jett. Please don't fire me,” asked Sam.
She squeezed her eyes shut waiting for the blow.

“Fire you? Are you nuts? You are my source of entertainment,”
laughed Jett. “Just don't quit on me, okay?”

“You've got me for good,” laughed Sam, very relieved to hear
she still had a job. “Well, I have a surprise for you if you can take it.”
asked Sam.

“I don't know if my heart can,” said Jett, being somewhat
dramatic.

“I've been writing some music and Jordan and I just recorded
it. I think you'll like it.” Sam could just see Jett rolling his eyes.

“Jordan liked it?” Jett sounded dubious.

“I know. I wrote the music, but of course he had to “Jordanize”
it,” laughed Sam. “I'll send it to you.”

“Sounds good, Sam. I have to go, but do me a favor, and stay
out of trouble, okay?”

“Yes, boss.” Sam saluted even though Jett couldn't see her.
She leaned back on the couch and closed her eyes. She could really use a drink.

****

“Oh, Sam,” cried Ian as she answered his call. “Honey, I am
so sorry this happened to you. I don't believe it. Once again, I wasn't there
to protect you.” He felt terrible. The fact the Garcia's had penetrated his
private life and found Sam set the security set on high. They were this close
to catching those rotten sons of bitches.

“Ian, what happened?” asked Sam. “Since it's me, I have a
right to know.”

“Honey, I can't tell you everything, but your safety is our
number one priority at the moment. Please believe me.” Ian wished he could tell
her the truth. “I'll be there as soon as I wrap up some business. You are
staying at Jett's with Toby, right?”

“Yes, I'll be here,” said Sam despondently.

“Does Jett know?” asked Ian.

“Yes, Toby told him and he called me,” replied Sam. “I thought
he might fire me, but he just told me to stay out of trouble. I don't think he
knows about the run in I had with Jennifer.”

“Let's just keep that between us. Sam, I am so sorry about
everything. I swear I'll make it up to you.”

“It's not your fault, Ian. I've got Jordan and Toby looking
out for me. Well, I don't know if you know, but Jordan and Deb are engaged.
He's flying out there to help plan for the wedding.”

“What?” Stunned, Ian then felt the pressure of his lack of
commitment to Sam surge to the forefront.

“Ian, I know what you're thinking, and it's not that. He's
just going to be out of commission for a couple of days and won't be here.” Sam
mentally kicked herself for telling Ian about Jordan.

“Oh.” Ian didn't know what to say.

“I'm fine, Ian. I don't know how long I'll stay here. Um,
how do I get in touch with you if I have to leave?” Sam felt so unsure of this
whole thing as if she were walking on eggshells.

“I'll be in touch with you. Just follow whatever orders Toby
has for you, okay?” He wanted to tell her he loved her, but he couldn't. If
anything, he felt the noose tightening around his neck.

“Okay,” whispered Sam, now close to tears. She ended the
call and noticed Toby watching her closely.

“What did Ian say?” he asked gently.

“To follow your orders.” Sam pushed the whole mess with Ian
out of her mind. “Um, do you mind if we go back to the apartment, so I can get
some stuff for here?'

“No problem,” said Toby reassuringly. “Did Ian want you to
go back to Maui?”

“He didn't say,” said Sam, trying to hold back the tears.
Toby came forward and wrapped Sam into a big bear hug.

“I am such a wuss,” sobbed Sam noisily into Toby's shoulder.

“No, you're not. You've been through quite a few harrowing
experiences these last couple of days. You're a trooper.”

“Thanks,” said Sam, her voice shaky. “I guess I needed a
good cry. I'm okay now.” She smiled at Toby, trying to convince him and he
smiled back at her. She knew the tears were more about Ian than what had
happened to her.

“Come on, Cracker. Let's get mom settled in,” said Toby and
both the dog and Sam followed.

Once again, Ian felt miserable after his conversation with
Sam. Why couldn't he say the right thing to her? What scared him more? Marriage
or no Sam? Life wouldn't be worth living if Sam wasn't in it. So, Jordan had
thrown in the towel of being a bachelor. Why did Sam tell him about Jordan? Was
it because she hoped that since Jordan had plans to get married, she wanted to
as well? He ran through their conversation again. Maybe not. Sam had said that
about Jordan to indicate he wouldn't be around for a couple of days. She did
not imply anything about marriage. Ian mentally shook his head and concentrated
on the Garcias.

“Are you up for this, Ian?” asked Rock. “You seem to be in a
funk.”

“Those bastards invaded my private life.” Ian shook his
head.

“Which is why they are taking you off the case,” said Rock
gently. “They don't want any more harm to come to Sam.”

“They can't do that,” said Ian angrily. “I want to kill
those bastards.”

“If you are in on it, Sam is more a target than ever. Ian,
be smart. Think about it.”

It took a while for Ian to answer, but he saw the point. It
had become too personal. “So, what are my orders?” Ian looked at Rock for
guidance.

“Hiding out in Seattle for two weeks until we catch this
bastard. Terri feels like we could catch him any day now.” Rock put his hand on
Ian's shoulder. “You'll be fine.”

“I just came from Seattle when all of this mess broke out,”
grumbled Ian. “I guess it's back to the author.”

“It's a good thing you have another career to fall back on,”
laughed Rock as he handed Ian an airline ticket. “The rental car is right
there. Have a safe flight.”

Ian gave Rock a dirty look, but then smiled as he walked
away. He started up the car and made his way to the airport.

“Jordan, it's Ian.” Ian had some time to kill at the airport
while he waited for his flight. “What's this about you getting married?”

“Who told you? Sam?” Jordan thought his sister would keep
her mouth quiet.

“Yeah, she did. I wondered where she would be and she said
at Jett's with Toby because you were headed to Chicago.”

“I was totally blindsided by Deb. Here I've known her my
whole life, and she had always been such a pipsqueak. I didn't realize what a
woman she had grown up to be. I decided right then and there she is the one for
me,” declared Jordan. “I'm flying there this weekend to help with planning the
wedding. I told Deb this will be her last shot until the wedding since I have
lots of tours.”

“Man, I can't believe it. Remember, we swore we were going
to be bachelors all of our lives,” teased Ian. “So, when's the big date?”

“Next month. We want it quickly. Deb comes from a big
Italian family and they are putting it all together. All I have to do is show
up.” Jordan laughed.

“How are your parents taking this? Bunny?” asked Ian.

“I haven't told them yet,” admitted Jordan. “It's one of the
reasons I'm flying in; to tell them in person.”

“Sam didn't sound too upset about losing her older brother,”

“Not at all. Remember, she and Deb are best friends.”

“Is Sam upset because she's not getting married yet? Bunny
will push her into marriage,” asked Ian.

“No, Sam wouldn't get upset over something like this.”
Jordan paused. “Did she say anything to you?”

“No, not at all. We really haven't had a chance to talk in
length because of everything that's happened,” explained Ian, knowing he
sounded lame.

“Which is why you're talking to me rather than Sam.”

“She and Toby are busy getting her situated at Jett's place
for a while,” answered Ian. “I told her to call me when she gets a chance. Besides,
I wanted to hear about this marriage thing from you.”