Tipping my head at Jordyn, I covered the phone’s speaker with my hand. “Find out who he is.” As much as I had my own issues with Sam, he wouldn’t hurt us, which meant his man wouldn’t either.
She strode over to the gray sedan while I walked around to the front of the truck. “My aunt called you?”
“She’s worried about you,” Sam said in a serious tone. “I am too. Why haven’t you returned my messages?”
As much as I was trying to forget him, just hearing his voice settled the turbulent storm of nerves in my stomach. “What didn’t you understand when I told you I needed some space?”
He growled. “I gave you space. Eleven days.”
A light breeze blew, kicking up the brush along the sides of the road.
I swallowed thickly. “You’re counting?” He was slowly worming his way into my heart. Maybe if I programmed it not to engage in any emotions, it would be easier. Relationships had never been my thing.
He made a weak noise of some kind. “Baby doll, tell me what’s going on. Your aunt led me to believe that something is wrong with you? Although in the picture Conrad sent me of you, you don’t look sick.”
“Picture?” It was my turn to growl.
“I have to say, you’re looking as hot as ever, baby doll.”
I rolled my eyes even though the compliment made my heart flutter. “I had the flu. That’s it.”
“Then why did your aunt make it sound like you’re still sick? What are you not telling me?”
I shivered more from the notion I could have vampire DNA than the cold gust of wind ruffling my auburn hair. “You really want to know?”
Silence reigned.
I looked at the screen. Sam was gone. Then I checked the bars in the upper right. The cell service was fine.
Then Conrad’s phone vibrated in my hand.
“Hello,” I said.
“Sorry.” Sam sounded frustrated. “I’m in a bad spot. I might lose you again. You should—”
“Sam?” I checked the phone. Yep, the call disconnected. I stared at the screen for a second before I tapped on Sam’s number. The line went straight to voice mail.
I was about to return to Conrad and Jordyn when Sam called back. “Hey.”
“I have to make this quick before I lose you again,” Sam said in a rush. “You should return to Massachusetts and let Dr. Vieira do a complete physical on you.”
I wondered how much my aunt had told him or what Conrad had overheard at the restaurant, not that it mattered. “I appreciate your concern, but I have too much unfinished business here.”
“Layla.” My name in his gruff tone sounded like a threat and a prayer. “I highly suggest you rethink your plans.”
I laughed. “Or what, Sam?”
He lost that demanding tone and chuckled. “I’ll throw you over my shoulder and bring you back myself.”
Another laugh barreled out of me. “You have to catch me first.” The minute that line left my lips, I knew I was in trouble. Harley, Webb’s assistant, had told me Sam loved a good game of cat and mouse.
I also knew he was confident, arrogant, and possessive and that I shouldn’t be so cavalier about his idle threat. But I was finding he drew out a side of me that made me want to scream at him and kiss him at the same time.
“You can’t run or stay away from me, Layla Aberdeen.” So much confidence infused his arrogant tone. “This is your last warning. You have forty-eight hours to get your sexy ass back here, or Conrad will tie you up and bring you to me.” Then dead silence.
I glanced at the phone to find that the call had ended. I wasn’t sure if he’d hung up or lost the connection for a third time. Either way, I was ready to fling the irritating piece of technology away when Jordyn ran over with Conrad on her heels.
“You must be Conrad,” I said as I handed him his phone.
