Chapter 10
“Noah, this doesn’tmake a bit of sense,” Babe insisted, nervously lighting her sixth cigarette since he’d arrived. “Why would Reggie abduct Sami? He adores that girl.”
He didn’t give a damn what Reggie’s reasons were. The man was going down and Noah planned to make sure it hurt. At least now he understood what had bothered him about the blackmail notes. There hadn’t been any contact information. No “Drop ten grand off at the third bench in Golden Gate Park.” No phone number to call. Just the threat itself. Reggie had expected Sami to recognize who had sent the messages and respond accordingly.
Only, Sami had never received the notes.
Noah cursed himself for being such a fool. If he hadn’t been so distracted by parts south of his belt buckle, he’d have caught on to that detail a hell of a lot sooner.
He paced the length of Babe’s living room. In the past hour he’d discovered that it took precisely twenty strides to go from her phone to her picture window and a mere nineteen for the return trip. Useless information. Annoying information. Mind-numbing information that did absolutely nothing to cool his temper. “Have you gotten hold of him, yet?”
“No. And I’ve called the house and the limo number at least a hundred times. No one’s answering.”
“Where would he take her?” he rapped out. “Think, Babe.”
“I have been thinking!” Lines of strain etched a path on either side of her mouth. She ground out her cigarette. “There’s one possibility. Reggie has a small retreat in the mountains near Santa Cruz. It’s isolated. Abit on the primitive side for my tastes, but—”
“Let’s go.”
“We don’t know for sure that’s where Reggie’s taken her,” she protested. “What if he calls while we’re gone?”
“Then he’ll discover no one’s home. He’ll either try again or he’ll phone the house. Rosie has my cell number. She’ll get hold of us.” Noah cupped Babe’s elbow, marching her out of her apartment and toward his Jeep where Loner anxiously waited. When she dug in her heels, he turned on her. “We’re useless to Sami sitting here. Don’t you get that? At least if we check the cabin we’ll be doing something.”
She capitulated without another word. Climbing behind the steering wheel, he headed south, picking up speed once they were clear of the city. Aside from Babe’s occasionally offered directions, they accomplished the record-breaking ninety minute drive in tense silence. For the first time in her life, she seemed unwilling to indulge in casual chitchat, which came as an immense relief to Noah. When they were on the last leg of their journey, she finally broke the silence.
“The cabin’s on the far side of this ridge,” she said. “Turn left onto the dirt road around the next bend.”
“Will he see us coming?”
“Yes. But only if you drive all the way to the end of the road. The cabin’s at the top and we’ll be approaching from the back side. Right up until the final curve, we’re concealed by trees. If you park at the base of the hill, we can hike up and chances are good we won’t be spotted.”
He swung onto the dirt road, bouncing through ruts with careless disregard. “There is no ‘we,’ Babe. You’re waiting in the Jeep. Loner and I are taking care of this.”
“Not a chance,” she protested. “I’m not staying here by myself. I’ll do something stupid if you leave me behind.”
“Better safe and stupid, then clever and injured.” He nailed her with a grim look. “At least I’ll have managed to protect one of you.”
Babe sighed. “Oh, Noah. You’re not blaming yourself for Sami being taken, are you?”
“Of course I’m blaming myself,” he retorted viciously. “That’s what happens when you let your guard down.”
Her expression gentled. “Or when you allow someone to slip beneath your guard? It’s personal between the two of you, isn’t it?”
“If it wasn’t, she’d be safe at home and I wouldn’t be cursing myself for acting like an incompetent idiot.” He swerved the Jeep to the side of the road and killed the engine. “You might as well know right now. I’m in love with your daughter.”
Babe chuckled. “Well, of course you are. You were supposed to fall in love with her.”
That caught him by surprise. “I thought— You said we weren’t right for each other.”
Her laughter grew, filling the Jeep. “Honey, there isn’t a man alive who can stand being told no when it comes to a woman. If I’d thrown Sami at you, you’d have been out of there like a shot. But tell a man some pretty young thing is forbidden fruit and he can’t keep his hands off her. I’m not above devious manipulation or relentless matchmaking. Why do you think I chose you in the first place?”
Aw, hell. “You said it was because I owed you.”
“Well, you don’t. You and I both know that, don’t we?”
He was torn between amusement and irritation. “We do now.”
“Don’t be mad, sweetie. You meant well all those years ago. It’s just that I’d already made up my mind not to marry Mel. But since you were intent on being noble and protective, Ilet you think you were saving me from disaster.” She opened the Jeep door and shook her head in disgust. “Men. You really do think blond means dumb.”
Blond did not mean dumb. Maybe he ought to write that down. He exited the Jeep, as well, surreptitiously signaling Loner to distract Babe. Under the cover of the dog’s playful antics, he reached beneath his seat and recovered his “shaving kit.” Unzipping the case, he removed the semiautomatic it contained and slapped the clip in place. Jacking a round in the chamber, he tucked the gun in the back of his jeans. “Your daughter…” he said, returning the case to its hiding place. “She’s—”
“Just like me, sweetie.” Babe smiled cheerfully, oblivious to what he’d been doing. “I suggest you give in right here and now because you don’t have a chance in the world of outmaneuvering that girl.”
He nodded. “That’s what I thought.”
She patted his arm. “It won’t be so bad. Honest.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” He scanned the hillside, looking for the best approach. “I don’t suppose I can convince you to wait here?”
“I haven’t changed my mind in the two minutes since we last discussed the possibility.”
No surprise there. Still, he’d been obligated to ask. “This is what I suggest. We’ll take that path over there.” He pointed. “And slip right up to the house. I’m hoping Reggie is as lax as your daughter about security and hasn’t locked the back door.”
“And then?”
“I’m going to open it and signal Loner.” She wouldn’t like this next part. “Loner will take Reggie down.”
“No!”
“It’s your daughter or your brother-in-law, Babe. Choose.”
“There has to be another way.” Tears burned her eyes, turning the blue incandescent. “I’ve lost enough people in my life. Ican’t stand to lose Reggie, too.”
Oh, for— “Loner won’t kill him,” Noah explained gently. “He’ll just… just gnaw on him a bit.”
She rewarded his candor with a fist to his chest. “And I’m telling you Reggie wouldn’t hurt Sami. If he’s taken her, there’s a good reason.” She socked him again before he could avoid the blow. “I’m warning you, Hawke. If your mangy wolf does anything to hurt Reggie, Iswear I’ll never speak to you again. Do you hear me?”
“What about your daughter?” he practically roared.
“You find a way to get us in that cabin without any injuries or I’ll walk up to the front door and find out what the hell is going on all by my lonesome. Do I make myself perfectly clear?”
He didn’t bother arguing. What was the point? “We don’t even know if they’re here. Isuggest we take this one step at a time.”
“I’ll give you five minutes. Then I’m doing it my way.”
“Fine.”
Grabbing her arm, he hustled her toward the path. Trees and bushes helped conceal their approach. At the edge of the tree line, Noah hesitated. Babe’s guess had been right, after all. The limo was parked at the side of the house, though he couldn’t see any movement coming from the cabin.
“Keep down and take up a position on the left side of the back door.” She didn’t reply, but the expression in her eyes said it all. He sighed. “I’ve changed the plan. Loner won’t hurt Reggie unless Sami’s in imminent danger. Ipromise.”
“I expect you to keep that promise.” Her breath shuddered from her lungs. “Please.”
He would. He always did. “Wait until I signal you, then follow. Got it?”
Running in a crouch, Noah reached the back of the cabin without arousing any attention. Hunkered down against the wall, he gestured for Babe to follow. Once they were in position, Loner slipped silently up to him and crouched in preparation.
This wasn’t the first attack drill they’d run. Reaching up, Noah softy turned the doorknob, just enough to release the catch. It gave beneath his hand and he signaled Loner, repeating the gesture a second time to be certain the animal understood.
The instant he released the dog, Loner burst through the door with the sort of frenzied howl guaranteed to terrorize the most hearty souls. It ended abruptly, raising the hairs on the back of Noah’s neck. Babe burst into tears, but he didn’t have time to deal with her. Taking a deep breath, he burst through the door low, yanking his revolver free and training it on—
Uh-oh.
Sami and Reggie sat at a table, ahot-and-heavy gin rummy match going on between them. Instead of growling or howling or gnawing, Loner had plopped down between them, moaning in sheer delight as Sami scratched one ear and Reggie worked on the other. As far as Noah could tell, the only person in imminent danger washim.
Noah cleared his throat. “Reggie,” he said with a nod. “Good to see you.”
“And you, my boy.” He lifted an eyebrow, eyeing the gun. “If you wanted to be dealt in, all you had to do was ask.”
Sami slammed her cards to the table. “No, Uncle Reg,” she bit out. “The line is… Is that a gun or are you just happy to see me?”
Reggie shrugged, sorting his cards. “I believe that expression works better for you than it would for me.”
Sami fixed Noah with an infuriated glare. “Let me guess. That’s the odd-shaped electric shaver you were in such a big hurry to hide in your drawer. Am I close?”
“Something like that.” Releasing the clip from his gun, Noah ejected the round still in the chamber. Reloading the bullet into the clip, he slipped it into his back pocket and tucked the gun out of sight in the waistband of his jeans. “I get the feeling I should give up shaving from now on.”
Sami’s eyes narrowed. “Wise decision.”
“Reggie!” Babe came crashing through the back door just then. “Reggie, are you all right?”
“He wasn’t the one abducted, Mom. Iwas,” Sami thought to mention.
Noah’s hands collapsed into fists. “Would someone please tell me what the hell is going on? Babe shows me blackmail notes addressed to Sami. Widget says Bill’s abducted her. And I’m left holding a… a loaded shaver. Somebody better start explaining and fast.”
“Reggie,” Sami prompted gently. “It’s time for the truth.”
He lay down his cards with meticulous care. “Gin,” hesaid.
“I’m serious.”
“I know you are.” His gaze didn’t shift from the cards in front of him. “You also know I can’t do that.”
“Why don’t I do it for you?”
“No, thank you, my dear.” Very slowly he stood, adjusting his bow tie. “If everyone will excuse me, it’s time I returned to the city.”
Babe hastened to his side, grabbing his arm. “No. You aren’t going anywhere until I get some answers.”
Reggie carefully disengaged his arm from her grasp and stepped away. “Don’t you understand, sweetheart? You’re the one I can’t tell.” With that, he turned, his spine ruler-straight, and left the cabin.
“What have I done?” Babe whispered as the door closed behind Reggie. “What have I done to lose his trust?”
Sami crossed to her mother’s side. “You haven’t done anything. He doesn’t want to tell you the truth.”
“What truth?” she demanded.
“He’s broke, Mom.”
“Broke?” She spun around. “No. That’s not possible. The advertising business—”
“He sold it when Daddy died.”
“But… why?”
“From what he’s said—which isn’t much—Igather that Dad was the idea man while Uncle Reggie took care of the details. Having seen him work with Widget and the other women, I’d say he excelled at his job. Unfortunately, without the ideas, the details didn’t matter.”
Babe stared in bewilderment. “But the business was worth a fortune. When he sold out, he should have been set for life.”
Sami caught hold of her mother’s hand. “Not if he gave it all away.”
“Gave it away. Who would he…?” Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Oh, no. Oh, please, no.”
“Dad bought the apartment and the house shortly before he died. Pacific Heights. Nob Hill. That’s prime real estate. He used his share of the business as collateral. Uncle Reggie couldn’t bear to see us turned out of our home. He made sure it didn’t happen the only way he knew how.”
“He didn’t take anything?” Her voice broke. “Not a dime?”
“I think he believed he could start over, build a new fortune.”
“And when he couldn’t, he abducted you to recoup some of the money?” Babe shook her head. “No. Idon’t believe it. All he had to do was ask. I’d have given him whatever he needed.”
“I suspect he’d have refused you,” Noah interrupted. “He’s a proud man.”
Anger flared. “But it’s okay to abduct my daughter?”
“That’s not what happened.” Sami wrapped an arm around her mother’s shoulders. “I found out about his money problem years ago, quite by accident due to a mix-up at the bank. One of his business deals had gone sour and they called me, thinking I was his daughter. After that, Ihad a long talk with Bill and learned every time Reggie lands on his feet, an old friend or a new friend or even a total stranger approaches looking for a handout.”
Tears glittered in Babe’s eyes. “He always was a sucker for a hard-luck story,” she chided unevenly.
“You’ve been helping him, haven’t you?” Noah askedSami.
“He wouldn’t take any money at first,” she explained. “So I circumvented Reggie and told Bill to leave me a note whenever their finances became tight. Bill has a rather peculiar sense of humor and would leave these blackmail notes on the hallway table where I’d eventually find them. Whenever one arrived, I’d deposit funds directly into Reggie’s account. But this time, something went wrong. Inever received the message. I’d told Bill in the past that if our wires ever crossed, he was under strict orders to snatch me off the street, if necessary, but to make sure I got to the bank and took care of the problem.”
Noah made the connection from there. “Got it. That’s why Bill said he was following instructions.”
“Widget heard that, did she?” Sami shrugged. “After I transferred the funds over, Icame up here to spend some time with Reggie. He’d been trying to talk to me for ages. He has some fantastic ideas for expanding my work project. Bill’s intervention gave us the perfect opportunity to discuss them.” Sami glanced from Noah to Babe. “So what happened to the notes Bill left?”
Babe clasped her hands together. “I found one in my mail right after I moved out.”
“As soon as she read it, she called me,” Noah added. “I have some experience helping people. Iguess you could say I’ve made a career of it.”
Sami’s narrowed gaze switched from him to her mother and back again. “That’s how you came to be my birthday present?”
Damn. Noah waited for the other shoe to drop. It didn’t takelong.
Anger flashed across her face, hot and furious. “You’re not really a man Friday, are you?”
“No.”
“Then what are you? Who are you?”
“I guess you could call me a troubleshooter. Basically I freelance aiding people who’ve gotten themselves into difficult predicaments and need assistance getting back out.” He glanced at Babe. “Mel pretty much determined my career path when I found myself cleaning up after him more times than I could count.”
“What did my mother ask you to do?” Sami asked. “Protect me?”
He inclined his head. “One secret bodyguard, at your service.”
There was only one more question to ask and she didn’t waste any time hitting him with it. “You never had any intention of getting me pregnant, did you? That was just an excuse to distract me until you could find the blackmailer.”
“Pregnant?” Babe repeated. “Pregnant?”
His anger flared to match hers. “No, Inever had any intention of getting you pregnant. And yes, Iused it as an excuse to distract you until I could find the blackmailer.” He stalked toward her, his gaze never leaving hers. “But just so you know, just so you’re perfectly clear on this issue… I’d have said anything, done whatever it took, crossed every and all ethical lines I hold dear to stop you from going through with that idiotic plan.”
Her cropped shirt flickered in agitation, cavorting against her midriff. “Even sleep with me?”
He bared his teeth. “Hell, honey. I’d have even married you.”
“That’s it!” Sami spun on her bare heel—now why didn’t that surprise him?—and stalked to the door. “I’m going home with Uncle Reggie.”
Noah winced as the door slammed behind her. Apainful silence descended and he shot Babe a wry look. “That went well, don’t you think?”
Loner collapsed on the floor with a mournful whine.
Babe released her breath in a long sigh. “You know something, sweetie? I’ve been proposed to more times than I can count. And I can categorically state with absolute and complete authority that that was the worst proposal it’s ever been my misfortune to hear.”
“Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
Noah walkedinto Sami Fontaine’s residence and straight into sheer chaos.
Men of every size, shape, and description were scattered throughout the foyer. Some were seated in a row of chairs lining the entranceway, others lounged on the wide sweeping stairway leading to the second story. And a few were even sprawled on the heartwood flooring.
“Something about this scene looks strangely familiar,” Noah muttered. Glancing down at Loner, he gave a quick signal. “You know what to do, boy. Get busy.”
He didn’t wait to witness the results. Crossing the foyer to the parlor door, he shoved it open. Sami sat curled in a chair, her head entirely too close to the man she busily interviewed. Noah didn’t waste any time. In three easy strides, he had the no-longer-prospective baby-maker out of the chair and drop-kicked from the room. Slamming the door closed, he turned to face his wife-to-be.
“Nice to see you again, too,” she said tartly.
“Don’t butter me up, sweetheart. I’m not in the mood.”
She shot to her feet. “What are you so angry about? I’m the one who should be furious. You and my mother deceived me. If you’d bothered to ask me about those notes, Icould have straightened everything out in one easy conversation. Instead you came charging in and I—”
To Noah’s concern, her voice broke. “Honey?”
When he would have approached, she waved him off, stalking out of reach. “And I fell in love with you, you sorry excuse for a baby-making bodyguard.” She scowled at him over her shoulder. “Now what are you doing here?”
“I came by to drop off my test results.” He offered the paper with a flourish. “You’ll be pleased to know that I passed with flying colors and you won’t need any baby-makers other than the one standing right in front of you. Mr. Perfect. Remember?”
“I’m thrilled. Put it on the desk and leave.”
He crumpled up the report and shot it with unerring accuracy into the trash basket beside the desk. “I’m not going anywhere. Not until we’ve had time to discuss this.”
“There’s nothing to discuss. You lied to me and I’m furious.”
“Funny. Icould have sworn I heard you say that you loved me.”
“That, too.” Her chin quivered. “Why did you do it, Noah? Why didn’t you explain everything when you first arrived?”
“Because I promised Babe I wouldn’t.”
“You lied to me so you could keep your promise to her?”
“Something like that.” He reached out and gently swept a tear from her cheek. “I owed her, Sami. Or at least, Ithought I did.”
“Why? Why did you owe her?”
It was time to tell her the truth. The whole truth. “It was an agreement we made.”
“What sort of agreement?”
“She did me a favor. In exchange I promised to help if she ever found herself in a jam.”
He’d snagged her curiosity. “What was the favor?”
“She broke her engagement to my father. At my request.”
It didn’t take long for that to sink in. “Mel Hawke was your father?”
“Is.He is my father.”
“And you…” She moistened her lips in a way that threatened to unman him. “You didn’t want Mom to marry him?”
“I like Babe. She deserved better than dear old Dad. Still does, as far as I’m concerned.” He shrugged. “I offered your mother anything she cared to name if she’d dump Mel. She agreed.”
“I remember the stories you told about your father. You didn’t owe her any favors. She owed you.”
“It doesn’t matter, Sami. She broke it off and that’s all I cared about.”
“Right up until she called the debt due.” She wrapped her arms around her waist. “You must have been thrilled with the job she stuck you with.”
“If you think I regret a single minute of it, think again.” He approached. “You were the one stuck with the raw end of the deal. I’m sorry, honey. Ishould have been honest with you. If it helps, Ipromise it won’t happen in the future.”
“Why are you here, Noah?”
“You know why. Ilove you. And you love me, too. The only question is what we’re going to do about it.”
“Nothing is a distinct possibility.”
“No, it’s not. That’s never been an option for us.”
“Why did you have to lie to me, Noah? And I don’t mean about Babe.” Pain was implicit in every word. “Why did you have to offer yourself up as a father for my baby when you had no intention of going through with it?”
“Because I couldn’t stand the idea of another man giving you what should only be created between the two of us.”
Her mouth trembled and she pushed curls from her eyes, her bracelets clattering in agitation. “Are you offering for real this time?”
“If that’s what you want.”
She shook her head. “It’s not.”
Her whispered response hit like a blow. It took every bit of control he possessed to ask one final a question. “Why?”
“Because then you’ll think having a baby is my main reason for marrying you.”
The tightness in his chest eased ever so slightly. “And it’s not?”
She shook her head. “If I were given the choice between you and a baby, I’d choose you.”
“Even if it meant never having a child?”
“Yes.”
She closed the distance between them. Barefoot and determined, she stood before him, adynamic package of unstinting love. She expressed it in every movement, every breath and sound and look. It was in the wayward curls and the hopeful green eyes, the tremulous smile and musical clatter of her bracelets.
“I love you, Noah Hawke.” She slipped her arms around his neck and waited. Releasing an impatient sigh, she prompted, “Now in case you didn’t know the proper procedure here, you’re supposed to say, ‘I love you, too, Sami Fontaine.”’
“Not quite yet. Your mother told me I gave you the worst marriage proposal of any she’s ever heard.”
“Not to brag, but I suspect my mother could be considered an expert on the subject.”
“Since I’m not planning on proposing marriage ever again, let me see if I can improve over last time.”
A smile trembled free. “Give it your best shot.”
He slipped his hands into sunshine, her curls wrapping around his fingers. And then he slanted his mouth over pure rapture. He took his time, easing the hurt with passionate understanding, proving in the only way he knew how they were destined to share a rare and special love. She was so precious to him, awoman who held his life in her tender hands.
He’d been a lone wolf long enough. He was mated to this woman, as surely as though she’d been imprinted on his soul. And he intended to stay by her side for the rest of their days. He waited until the comforting balm of his kiss had eased her distress, before pullingback.
“I’m sorry I hurt you, sweetheart. Aman shouldn’t hurt the woman he loves. And I do love you, Sami.” He could have let it go at that. But she deserved more. Far more. “I’ve always known that someday I’d find the woman I’d spend the rest of my life with. You’re my joy. My future. My life. And one day soon, Ihope you’ll be the mother of my children. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted and everything I ever will need. Marry me, Sami.”
Tears filled her eyes. “No one, not even Babe, has had such a perfect proposal. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“No more fears?”
“None. Not anymore.”
He nodded in satisfaction. “Fair warning. Iwon’t be satisfied until you have every one of those six children you’ve always wanted.”
Her smile turned impish. “Promise?”
“I always keep my promises.” He hesitated. “I also have a confession to make.”
She sighed. “Another one?”
“I had Loner get rid of the baby-makers in the hallway.”
“Er…Noah?”
“What is it, honey?”
“Those weren’t potential baby-makers. Remember my conversation with Reggie? Working with Widget has been such a success, I’ve decided to expand my job placement project. Those were people I was interviewing for the position.”
“I have a suggestion. Forget them and hire Reggie. Asuccessful business can always use a good detail man. Besides, Ithink he’ll feel better receiving a salary than charity, don’t you?”
“Not that he’ll need it.”
Noah lifted an eyebrow. “You don’t think so?”
She grinned. “Not if Babe has her way. Isuspect Mother’s sixth and last marriage is in the offing.” Catching Noah’s hand in hers, she started toward the door. “Come on, buster. We have work to do.”
“Work?” Damn. “Don’t you want to celebrate our engagement first?”
“I sure do. Ithought we’d celebrate by practicing.”
“Practicing?”
She glanced over her shoulder, filling his life with the joy of her laughter. “If we’re going to have six kids, we can use all the practice we can get, don’t you think?”
He swept her into his arms and carried her into the foyer. “Honey, forget about thinking. Isuggest we get right to the doing.”
In the distance he heard Loner howl, along, oddly happy sound. And then, to his astonishment the call was answered.
“That reminds me,” Sami said, linking her fingers at the base of his neck. “We have new neighbors. And they have the oddest-looking dog. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear it was a wolf. Afemale, if I’m not mistaken.”
Noah sighed. “By the sound of things, we might have to change Loner’s name.”
“I suspect you’re right.” She dropped her head to his shoulder. “How does Mr. and Mrs. Woof grab you?”