“True,” Sam said. “But after Roman escaped, his trail did lead to Chicago.”
“Whatever Noah and Lester are up to,” Tripp said, “we have work to do.” He got on his phone and rattled off orders about Camden, Intech, and Fred Emery. “Dig deeper,” he said in a tone that brooked no argument to the person on the other end of the line. “I want every detail of both companies from the CEO down to the mailroom guy. I want a dossier on Lester Worthington and Fred Emery to start.” Then he hung up before he and Sam headed toward the exit.
Jordyn swiveled in her seat to face me. “You believe I’m telling the truth, right? I didn’t know Noah was in Chicago, and if Carly did, she didn’t say anything.”
I studied her for a long second as a tiny voice whispered not to trust anyone. But Jordyn hadn’t given me any reason not to believe her.
She sighed as she stuck out her chest. “You can always have Steven read my mind if it makes you feel better.”
That didn’t seal the deal yet. I’d been able to block Steven from diving into the deep recesses of my mind when I’d first met him. But Jordyn had always been truthful.
I captured her hand. “I do believe you.”
She quivered. “Thank you. I would never betray you.”
I hugged her. “I know.”
“Jordyn,” Tripp called. “We would like for you to take the team through your time at Intech. Come with me.”
“I love you. I’ll catch up with you later,” she told me before getting to her feet and passing Sam as he strutted over.
“Can we find a secret island where no one will find us?” I asked.
He pulled me to my feet and kissed me on the cheek. “I’m for all that. But this is our life, baby doll. Your family and mine. My dad talked to Jack, by the way. We’re meeting him outside of Chicago tomorrow night. He reiterated that if we don’t bring you, he’s walking.”
Sam had told me about the voice mail Jack had left. I had no clue why Jack wanted me there. It would be nice to think he wanted to make sure I was okay, but that was a pipe dream.
“I would insist on going even if he didn’t dangle me like a carrot.”
Sam grinned, showing his heart-stopping dimples. “I know. But then I would have to tie you up.” He waggled his thick eyebrows.
I flattened my hands on his chest and ignored his sexual innuendo for the time being. “Did your dad ask Jack why he wanted to meet?”
“He did, and Jack’s response was ‘We have many things to talk about and not over the phone.’”
“It’s going to be a long nine months, isn’t it?”
He studied me intently as if trying to find a way to tell me another piece of bad news.
“Just say it. I’m a big girl.” Then again, with my hormones all over the place, I wasn’t sure how much more I could handle.
That stone mask was back in place. “Stay with me tonight.”
“Sam, you’re scaring me. And that’s hard to do.”
He eased away and smiled, but it seemed forced.
“You found Rianne?” I held my breath. If they did, it wasn’t good.
“No,” he said. “I want you to prepare yourself. There are too many moving parts, given what we’re learning about Noah, Camden, and Intech, not to mention your uncle. And then there’s Roman and Rianne.”
“You should just call Jack and tell him about Noah. After all, according to my aunt, that’s why he set up the meeting. He wants your help finding his son.”
Sam nodded. “We could, but as your uncle said, we have many things to talk about, which means there’s more than Noah on the table. And we need to know what he’s up to. Is he involved with Camden? Does he have a new weapon? What are his plans to hunt Roman?”
“He won’t share his strategies,” I said.
“He doesn’t have to. We’ll read his mind.”
