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Stepping away from them, Samantha strolled toward the den. If she was lucky, perhaps she could get the jump on Tad and her watered-down version of the truth across first.
Her father’s loud booming voice, obviously in a heated conversation, stopped her short. Oh great, he was already angry. She’d hoped to find him in a good mood. She shifted her gaze to look through the open doorway between the rooms. A man was standing across the desk from her father. His back was turned to her, but she recognized Jake’s red-gold hair and wide-shouldered stance even from the behind.
Drat, he’d gotten here first.
Her father looked up at that moment and saw her standing there. He said something, and Jake spun around to look at her.
She fought the urge to turn and flee from his irritated gaze. Gone was her lover of two nights ago. In his place was the goon. She found herself ensnared and held motionless by his compelling gray eyes, nevertheless. She 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. What had Jake been telling him?
She took another long sip of her drink before entering the room. From the corner of her eye, she noted Jake’s watchful gaze following her every movement. Like a field mouse watched by a hawk. Jake didn’t seem happy to see her, but she hadn’t expected him to welcome her with open arms. She stepped through the doorway and into the lion’s den.
“Hello, Samantha,” Dad said gruffly. “It’s good to see for myself that you’re in one piece.”
“I’m fine, Dad,” she stated, surprised by her father’s 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.” With a nod of her head, she acknowledged his presence.
“We’re back to Mr. Ramsey now.” His mouth kicked up with reluctant humor.
“Would you prefer goon?” Samantha asked sweetly.
“No,” Jake replied solemnly. “I’d prefer to return to a first-name basis, if you don’t mind, Sunshine.”
“No problem,” she said with deep 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 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.” Jake had 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 is, what kind of crap have you been telling my father?”
“Samantha Katherine Logan,” Dad reprimanded 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 truth.”
She continued to scowl at Jake. She was in no mood for a dressing down by her father, which was what her hostile reaction had brought her. She was confused, angry, and just the slightest bit unsteady.
She swayed a bit on her feet, and Jake reached out to grasp her arm and steady her.
She pulled away and noticed a flicker of distress cross his rugged face. Her heart sank. She hadn’t meant to cause him pain. She just wanted to make sure her brother was protected.
Jake’s mouth compressed into a firm line as he eased her into one of the leather Windsor chairs facing her father’s mahogany desk. He took the cool glass out of her limp fingers and raised it to his nose.
“Liquor,” he stated harshly. “You’re not supposed to drink when recovering from a head injury. Don’t you have better sense than that?”
Samantha gave him a half-hearted glare. He didn’t have to sound so darned superior. She hadn’t thought about it until it was too late, but she wouldn’t admit that to him. “I don’t need you to babysit me.”
“Oh, but I think you do.” His smile was harsh. “But—”
“He’s right, Samantha,” Dad cut in. “Jake told me about Tad’s involvement in the thefts.”
“In Tad’s defense,” Samantha began her plea.
“Don’t worry, honey. I understand there were extenuating circumstances. I may be a hard-headed old man, but I can learn.” He offered a tender smile. “I love you and Tad very much.”
Astonished, Samantha blinked at her father. Since when had he ever apologized or said he loved her? She’d always known there was affection there, but it was never expressed.
“I love you, too, Dad.” Her father’s startled smile warmed her heart.
She owed Jake an apology. Turning to look at him, she said softly, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
