Page 102 of Wrecked

“You could have gotten fucked last night if you hadn’t been such a pain in the ass. We’ve got a lot to make up for, haven’t we?”

When the elevator chimes, announcing another arrival, we both turn to see Jake walk through the foyer doors. He definitely looks the part of a bodyguard—black jeans, black T-shirt, black leather jacket which undoubtedly conceals a chest holster and a 9mm.

I was hoping we’d get out of here before Sam noticed.

“Hey, Sam,” Jake says, sounding surprised to see him. “Welcome back.”

“Thanks,” Sam says. “It’s good to be back.”

Then Jake directs his attention to me. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah,” I say. “I just need to grab my bags.”

“Go?” Sam stares at me. “Where are you going?”

Damn it.After giving him a hard time about leavingme, now I’m about to do the same thing to him—albeit for a very different reason. I squeeze Sam’s shoulder. “Relax, kid. I’ve got some business out of town. I won’t be gone long.”

Sam grabs my wrist. “Where are you going?” He sounds almost frantic.

I glance over at Jake. “Maybe you should wait for me downstairs.”

“Sure thing,” Jake says easily. And then he turns and heads back the way he came.

Once I have Sam’s attention, I say, “I have business to take care of out of town, and Jake’s coming along for the ride. It’s no big deal.”

Sam’s not stupid. Of course he realizes Jake isn’t coming with me for grins and giggles. In McIntyre Security circles, Jake is known affectionately asThe Enforcer. He’s muscle. An extra gun. The guy who’s only too happy to do the dirty work. And Sam knows it.

“That’s bullshit!” Sam says. “Jake’sprotection. Where in the hell are you going thatyouneed protection?”

I cup his face and gaze into his eyes, hoping to reassure him. “Calm down, darlin’. You’re blowing this all out of proportion.”

Of course he doesn’t believe me.

Sam grabs my wrists. “Cooper, tell me what the hell’s going on.”

“I promised you I’d make everything right, didn’t I? Well, that’s what I’m doing. But first, I’ve got to take care of some business. When I get back, I’ll be able to give you what you want.”

Sam looks even more confused than ever. He shakes his head. “I’m coming with you.”

“Not a chance. You stay here in Chicago and work on regaining your strength. I’ll be back before you know it, I promise.” I give him a quick parting kiss, and then I walk away before I do something stupid, like agree to let him come with me. Where we’re going, I’m about to stir up a hornet’s nest. It’s not safe.

As I’m heading down the hall to my suite, I hear the chime of the elevator doors closing as Sam leaves. He’s probably pissed—or hurt—but I tell myself it’s for the best.

After collecting my bags, I head down to the parking garage, where Jake is waiting for me. Sure enough, I spot him standingnext to his Tahoe. Then I spot Sam seated in the back seat.Oh, hell no!

I stalk toward the rear passenger door, but Jake blocks me.

“Let him come, Cooper,” he says, his voice low and tight.

“No. It’s not safe.”

“He’ll be fine. He’ll be with us. You think I’d let anything happen to him? Look, he’s not going to back down. Stop fighting him on this, or we’ll be here all day. The plane’s ready now. We need to go.”

I grit my teeth. “Fine.” I deposit my duffle bag into the back of the Tahoe and open the rear passenger door. “Move over,” I tell Sam. He slides over, and I climb in beside him. I could sit up front with Jake, but this is where I need to be—next to Sam.

“Can you at least tell me where we’re going?” Sam asks.

“To O’Hare,” Jake says as he pulls out of the garage and heads toward the highway.