Page 50 of Securing Samantha

Samantha unpacked her son’s items first and he played with the remote-controlled helicopter Whiskey gave him. She allowed him to play with it since they didn’t have any items that could break, and it appeared cool near the windows as if it flew above the buildings. She snapped a picture. She wondered where he’d fly the toy once they settled in. She knew Regent Park and Central Park were located minutes away, but she worried LJ’s outdoor days might be limited. She shook the thought away. Surely New York encouraged plenty of sports for kids. She added it to her list to research outdoor activities.

Her phone buzzed. She closed her eyes. Took a deep breath and checked the screen of her phone. Whiskey’s name appeared, along with several texts and multiple missed calls.

Kassie texted a list of dates for Lizzy’s appointments. Samantha sent her a thank you.

She hit Whiskey’s name to read his messages.

Lass, it’s Whiskey. Call me.

It’s Whiskey. Saint told me you left this morning. I’m sorry.

Damn it, lass. It’s Whiskey. I’ve tried calling. Pick up your phone.

You are the most infuriating woman I’ve ever known. This is Whiskey.

I want to talk about LJ. This is Whiskey.

If she didn’t feel terrible about making him worry, she’d laugh. Nothing about Whiskey made her laugh. All she felt was sadness and loss. Sighing, she sent him a text.

We’re fine. I needed a few days away. I’ll touch base with you tomorrow to set up a date and time to discuss LJ.

When no bubbles appeared after her text, she guessed he took her at her word. “LJ we need to get ready for dinner. Bryan found another pizza place to try to see if it’s the world’s best. If you want to go, you need to change.”

LJ wasted no time running to his room and changing to the clothes she laid on the bed. She dressed in jeans and a soft blue sweater. She pulled her hair away from her face and added a few tendrils.

When she heard the knock at the door, she greeted Bryan, and the three of them piled into the town car and headed to the restaurant. The traffic was a nightmare. People blasted horns and she wished she allowed LJ to bring a couple of items to keep him busy. She didn’t like him using a phone as entertainment. Now her antsy son impatiently watched out the window as the city slowly went by.

“Is it always this busy?” Samantha asked as she glanced out the window searching for things to point out to her son.

Bryan laughed. “It’s New York. It never sleeps.”

When they finally arrived at the restaurant, LJ’s mood soured, and he picked at his slice of pizza.

“We aren’t great company tonight. I think jet lag caught up with us. Do you mind taking us home?” Samantha asked for a box to take home the leftovers as her sleepy son curled up in the booth.

“This is one of, what I hope, many nights to come. We don’t have to rush anything,” Bryan assured her.

They waited for the town car as Bryan paid for the meal. “I wish you didn’t insist on paying for everything. My boss pays me well,” she teased.

“Once you settle in, I hope to receive an invitation for real home cooked meals. Maddie made the most amazing dinners when I stayed with her and Joe. Who’s the redheaded lady with the Irish accent?” Bryan inquired as they got into the car.

Samantha chuckled. “Her name’s Victoria. She’s very nice,” she told him.

“I don’t know. Something about the way she assessed me. I thought the man behind her was her husband. I said hello and he didn’t respond. Later a big Russian man came in and said something to him and he walked away. They say New Yorkers are impolite. I got dissed in the middle of nowhere.”

Samantha giggled as she laid a blanket over LJ. She imagined Kassie’s laughter over Bryan’s story of Victoria. They didn’t advertise they came from a ‘family’ but sometimes they forgot normal people don’t have men who followed them everywhere.

Bryan glanced over in the seat where LJ fell asleep. “He’s tuckered out. Hopefully you’ll sleep well tonight. Don’t rush in the morning, I have a meeting until eleven. Then we’ll take LJ to the park, and I promised him a hot dog from the hot dog cart from one of the vendors.” Bryan grinned.

The car pulled up to their building. She slid out as Bryan unbuckled LJ, carefully picked him up, and walked to the elevator. “You don’t need to come up. We’re learning to navigate our way without your help. If we’re staying, you have to let me figure things out.”

Bryan allowed LJ to slip down onto his feet. He gave her a quick kiss as the doors opened and she stepped inside. LJ leaned against her leg as they rode higher in the elevator. She pulled out the card key and waited until they stopped.

She took her son’s hand and led him down the hall. She stopped when she noticed the two men leaning against her penthouse entrance. She picked up LJ and turned when she heard the man call.

“Lass, I didn’t mean to scare ya. It’s me. Whiskey,” he called as he ran after her and pulled the hat from his head.

She stopped and turned toward him. Samantha then noticed Shadow.

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