Page 24 of Saving Salem
“No. No, sir. Was just planning to—”
“I think you were planning to come with me and have a little chat, isn’t that right?”
Bubba laid his head back against the asphalt and heaved a loud sigh. “Yes, sir, guess I am.”
“Right answer. Bubba, this is Jack. Bet he’s got a few questions for you too.”
It was hard for Jack to keep a straight face because Bubba looked like he was about to pee his pants. He was just glad Gator was on his side, because he’d hate to have the older man as an enemy.
“Sure do, Gator.” Jack held a hand out to Bubba, and helped him to his feet, and together with Gator, took him back to his room, stopping long enough to close the trunk on the Chrysler 300.
Now it was time to get some answers.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Salem couldn’t helpworrying about Jack. Oh, she knew Gator would watch over him, but from everything she knew about him—granted, it wasn’t much—seemed to indicate that Jack was a take-charge kind of man. Following orders from Gator might rub him the wrong way. She’d simply have to wait and see.
Knowing somebody had planted cameras in her apartment while she was gone still spooked her. If they’d felt free enough to do that, no telling what else they’d do. She had no doubt it was the Amirs behind it. Probably Abdullah, Tarik’s brother. He’d been almost as ruthless as Tarik, though he’d had to restrain his more vicious tendencies because he wasn’t the oldest, and Tarik kept him in check, both physically and financially. Now that Abdullah was in charge, she feared what he would do, what he was capable of without anybody putting reins on him, keeping him in line.
She’d seen how vicious and vindictive Abdullah could be, seen the black eyes and split lips, as well as bruises, from the women he kept close. While it wasn’t a harem per se, Abdullah liked having more than one woman at his beck and call at all times, and because he had money from a trust fund his father set up, he never wanted for feminine companionship. The only person who might be able to sway him was his mother, Sayifa. The problem was she doted on her sons, feeling they could do no wrong, and if they wanted something, then they should have it—regardless of the consequences.
She glanced at the clock above the table where she sat, letting Chloe have a snack. Jack and Gator had been gone over two hours, and she was about to lose her mind. Gunner was outside, and she wasn’t afraid somebody would break in, but she also couldn’t leave until Jack got back. She’d promised.
The knock on the door startled her. Probably Gunner checking on her. Leaving Chloe strapped in her highchair, she walked over and checked the peephole, seeing Gabi and Stephanie outside in the hall. Unlocking the door, she opened it, letting them inside. She almost closed the door when a hand stopped it, and Andrea Kirkland smiled before following the other two women inside. Gunner gave a short nod, telling her without words that things were under control.
“What are you guys doing here?”
“Heard there was a bit of excitement, and figured we’d come over and keep you company.” Gabi dropped her purse on the end table by the sofa and walked over to Chloe, squatting down beside her, and kissing her on the top of her head. Chloe babbled her baby talk to her Auntie Gabi, smiling and offering her a half grape from the pile on her tray. Gabi allowed her to pop it into her mouth, thrilling her daughter.
“You didn’t have to come over, it’s being handled. Gator came and he and Jack are…” She trailed off because she really wasn’t sure what Gator and Jack were up to now. It had been two hours; surely they’d finished checking out the local office supply places. How long could it possibly take to walk in the door, ask if they’d printed the pictures and walk out? Her chest got tight when she realized they might have found the person or people who’d done it, and were with them right at that moment.
“Wow, you got really pale all of a sudden. Maybe you should sit down.” Stephanie patted the sofa cushion next to her.
“It’s okay, I’m alright, I swear.”
“Well, if Daddy’s with Jack, who knows what they’ll turn up.” Gabi looped her arm through Salem’s and half dragged her over to sit down, before heading back to the table to watch over Chloe. Gabi adored her namesake. Salem had named her daughter Chloe Gabriella Hudson after her bestie, the woman who’d been there to protect her when Tarik had shown up, determined to drag her back to Dubai by force if necessary.
And it would have been necessary because I have no intention of going anywhere with him. I would never willingly have let him control me or my baby. I learned my lesson the hard way.Her fingers slid across the scar on her cheek, remembering the pain like a bad toothache.
“So…tell us all about Jack. He’s cute.” Stephanie wiggled her brows up and down and everyone laughed, her exaggerated action breaking the ice.
“He’s amazing. I’ve known him over a year, met him in Texas when I was visiting Gabi’s aunt and uncle.”
“Wow, you’ve known him that long? Why have I never heard about him before now?” Andrea studied Salem intently, and she nearly squirmed in her seat. Andrea was nobody’s fool, one of the smartest women she’d ever met. Being married to Samuel and working for C.S.S., she probably already knew everything there was to know about Jack. Except for the fact that he’d married her to help her fight Tarik’s family. She and Jack had decided to keep that information to themselves, because the fewer people who knew the truth—that their relationship wasn’t a long-distance love affair like they told everyone—the less likely it was for the truth to come out.
“Jack and I have been getting to know each other slowly. We called or Zoomed each other, and I’d see him whenever I went to Shiloh Springs over the last year or so. I didn’t say anything because you know how it is with long-distance relationships. They rarely work out. I guess we are one of the lucky ones, because ours did.”
“Okay, I get that. I love a good love story. I mean, look at Etienne and me. Samuel had his ‘no fraternization’ policy for the office, so we weren’t allowed to date. That was total agony because I had the hots for that man for a long, long time. It took a hostage situation in another country for us to finally allow our true feelings out. But, Salem, you got married in Texas, without any of us being there. You know we love you, girl. It just seems a little rushed. Okay, a lot rushed. What’s really going on?”
Salem looked at Gabi, a plea in her gaze. She was floundering, and any second she’d blurt out the truth, which would open a whole can of worms. These ladies, as much as she loved them, would start sticking their noses into things, because they couldn’t help it. She knew them well enough to know they’d want to help, but she couldn’t bring them to the Amirs’ attention. They were ruthless, and she was still waiting for the other shoe to drop, because she knew they’d do more than plant cameras in her apartment before the court case. Nobody stood up to them and got away unscathed. Her body bore the scars to prove it.
Gabi shook her head. “Nope. I’ve learned it’s impossible to hide anything from them. If you wanted to keep your marriage and Jack a secret, you should have stayed in Texas. Oh, wait, you couldn’t.” She started unhooking Chloe from the highchair, lifting her high in her arms. “Who’s a good girl? You, yes, you are.”
“Wait, where’s your daughter?”
“She’s having a play date with Abby at Sarah’s house, and don’t change the subject.”
Salem slumped against the couch cushion and covered her face with her hands. Before she could say anything, a loud knock sounded on the front door. Great, saved by the bell or the knock. Jumping up, she flew across the floor, flinging the door open without checking to see who was on the other side. She knew it was safe, since Gunner was out there.
