Page 6 of Securing Samantha

Claire leaned over to grab her briefcase and took her cup to the sink.

“Samantha left the pictures for you to explore through at your leisure. Keep in mind, LJ is five years old. He still has an entire life for you to catch up on.”

Whiskey nodded.

As Claire walked out of the cabin, he blew out a relieved breath. He preferred the quiet. He walked over and began turning the pages to view the photos Samantha left.

Leave it to his wife to have every picture categorized and scrapbooked. She held the tiny bundle in her arms. LJ slept in the safety of her love. Her sad eyes peered at the camera as someone snapped the picture. Leo shared how he told her of Whiskey’s death. She gave birth to his son on the same day she found out about his supposed death. One life ended and one began. His son’s birthday fell on the day her world blew to bits. He didn’t think they held all the pieces to put everything back together. What did his doubts mean for his marriage?

CHAPTER FIVE

Samantha pulled her car into the parking garage and pulled out her suitcase. With LJ at his grandparents, nothing awaited her in Serenity. The small town welcomed her with open arms from the moment Leo drove her to check it out. Her dad passed away and she struggled to care for LJ. The beautiful Victorian style home needed updating but she fell in love with it on sight. Now, she viewed her home, and a sickening dread filled her.

Her mind went back to the day of Kassie’s wedding. She sent LJ into the salon to bring her a bottle of carrot seed oil. She finished with her base and went in search of her easily distracted son.

“LJ? What did you get up to? If you want to go up the mountain with Aunt Kassie and Emma, we need to get a move?—”

As she entered the salon, she noticed the man with a knife to her son’s neck. With a large gun, a big man motioned for her to sit in her stylist chair. Fear ran through her. Her gaze never left the most precious person in her life. LJ remained the only piece of Liam she had left. What did they want? She didn’t have anything valuable, and the salon didn’t make enough money for someone to rob it, especially in Serenity.

“Have a seat and nothing will happen to your boy. We aren’t here for you. We’re here to fetch your friend, Kassie,” the larger man explained.

“Your James Stanton,” she stated.

The man smiled, “I see my reputation proceeds me. Then you know not to screw with me. Sit in the chair and stay quiet.”

LJ whimpered. His mouth muffled by duct tape; he stood on a stool. The shattered bottle of carrot seed oil lay on the floor. The earthy scent permeated the room.

“LJ. Listen to me. Everything’s fine. Aunt Kassie will arrive, she’ll talk to them and then we’ll go find Uncle Leo,” she reassured him.

“Tape her mouth shut. I see her and her friend don’t know when to shut up,” James ordered. Jameson, Kassie’s bodyguard, walked into the room.

“I told you, I’d handle it,” he gritted between his teeth.

“Apparently you forgot to tell me a few details. I grew tired of waiting.”

The truck pulled into the driveway. She heard the vehicle door slam and Emma running through the house.

“LJ where are you? Aunt Sam, I gots my bow for my hair! Mama says I can’t put on my dress until you do my hair.” The sweet little girl bounced into the room. James yanked her arm, and she cried out. Samantha jumped from the chair.

“Don’t hurt her!” The man behind her jerked her back into the chair. He grabbed the duct tape as she struggled. He hit her across the face with the same hand that held the gun. Blood seeped from her forehead.

Kassie walked in. Her eyes tracked the kids, the men and settled on her. No fear showed in her eyes. In fact, she didn’t seem surprised.

“Hello, Kaitlyn,” James greeted her.

“Hello, James. I think your heart attack must have deprived your brain of oxygen. For a moment, I thought you called me by my sister’s name. This is between me and you. Let the kids go. Samantha has nothing to do with this.”

James pinned Kassie with a stare. “Take the girl and put her in the car.” James ordered as he waited to get a reaction from Kassie.

“Move her and you’ll lose an eye. I’ve learned a few things since you did all those horrible things to me. I’m not the scared little girl you knew, James. You aren’t leaving with Emma. She’s my daughter.” The man holding Emma began to move.

“I said, don’t move. After all, I only ask once.” Kassie cocked her head toward James.

James shot daggers at Jameson. “Did you know she was Kaitlyn? He said she was the twin. I’d hate to think you knew and didn’t tell me.”

Jameson stared confused, “She’s Kassie. I’m sure of it.”

“How sure are you, Jameson? Would you bet your life on it? How would Kaitlyn know about James Stanton? I know he doesn’t have enough money in his bank account to pay any of you what he promised. In fact, he’s broke. I’ll be happy to share the balance of his bank account,” Kassie goaded.

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