Not that she was bitter or anything.
Shit. Her life was a mess and now she was going all girly when she needed to man up. Exhaustion and alcohol had turned her into a sentimental fool.
Could this day get any worse?
“Samantha?”
“Yeah. I heard you. But, as usual, you aren’t hearing me. I don’t know why I’m surprised. You never hear anything unless it’s coming out of your own mouth.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Never mind. I don’t need you to rescue me. I’m a big girl. Your need to protect me out of some twisted sense of duty to your sister is annoying, and frankly, I’ve had enough of it.”
His curse rang out. “I’m taking you home with me. Once we’re there, you will show me your injury and you will let me tend to it. I’ll see it done if I have to strap you to a chair to do it. You hear me?” He threw the truck back into gear and pulled out, spinning gravel behind them.
“I think the entire county heard you.” She turned her face away, breathing in the mild pre-dawn air as it washed over her face.
Goddamned, controlling, motherfucking, men.
That was the reason she was in this mess to begin with. It had been months since the break-in and she’d gotten lazy. She’d actually believed that Vincent had given up his quest to find his wife. And, as far as anyone knew, only Samantha knew where to look.
Carlotta Matteo was a small woman. Small enough to fit in Vincent’s friggin’ shoe and he’d beat her, with his bare hands, until she was barely breathing. And for what? Because she’d been an hour late for dinner due to a dead car battery.
So, no, Samantha didn’t have any regrets in helping the poor woman after her husband walked free.
Paid his way free was more like it.
The system only fails the innocent.
She admired the courage Carlotta had shown during the stressful relocation procedure—Sam’s version of the witness protection program. The least Sam could do was show the same grit. Matteo could kiss her ass.
Shooting at her only served to piss her off. Vincent didn’t want her dead. Sam dead meant he’d never find his wife. She’d left no paper trail. The information that existed on his wife’s whereabouts resided in Sam’s head.
Tonight was a warning. One she’d heard, loud and clear. It left only one question.
What now?
As much as she regretted Caleb getting caught in the crossfire, she was glad he was here. No matter his feelings for her, he’d helped her and she’d never forget that.
Truth be known, he’d been around a lot over the last year. Seemed he’d taken it upon himself to watch out for her because, as he’d put it, she was important to Amanda. And Caleb would do anything for his sister.
Even if that meant pulling Samantha out of a bar at four in the morning.
He’d done it before, but the last time had turned out very differently. She’d been pissed as hell then, too. But instead of being shot at, she’d stopped at an adult store and bought a new vibrator.
The last time had been much more fun.
She smiled to herself, remembering the look of horror on Caleb’s face as she waved the brown paper bag at him before ducking into her car. She knew he’d followed her, which was the primary reason she’d stopped in the first place. All part of the dance she did with this man.
They rode the rest of the way in silence.
Caleb maneuvered the truck through the underground parking garage and pulled to a stop.
“Are you okay?” he asked without looking at her.
She turned to face him. “As okay as I can be after being jerked away from my card game, reprimanded like a teenager caught out after curfew, shot at, and thrown to the ground like a calf in a ropin’ event. Pretty eventful evening, I’d say. So yeah, I’m fucking peachy, Caleb.” She smiled wide. “How are you?”
The muscles in his jaw twitched as he pushed his door open. “Let’s go.”
Samantha got out of the truck and followed him around to an elevator. He punched a keypad, inserted a key, and the doors opened. Once inside, he punched more buttons, and she settled against the corner, grateful to have something to lean against as they traveled up.
All too soon, the elevator opened and she stepped into a wide hallway that appeared to go nowhere.
“How many people live on this floor?”
“One.”
“Ah.” Samantha stood back while Caleb worked yet another keypad. “This is some setup you got here. A person would think you’re paranoid or something.”
Caleb glanced at her over his shoulder as the door clicked open. He stepped back, allowing her to go in first.
“Aren’t you going to go first and make sure it’s safe?” She was only half kidding. While she didn’t expect him to protect her, it seemed he’d made it his mission over the last few months.