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  Kate laid her head on his lap, curling up against his muscular thigh. She was so tired. Nerves, no doubt. The steady rhythm of the tires against the highway surface soon lulled her into a restless sleep.

  Sam watched as dark lashes slid across her cheeks. He wished his hands were untied so he could hold her. But since they weren’t he would have to be content with contemplating her delicate features. His gaze lingered on the full lips, slightly parted in slumber.

  Kate. His Kate. Sam tried to remember a time when she had not been a part of his life. A time when he had been this entranced by another person. His old life seemed to fade away into a meaningless haze of blurred memories.

  He shifted his eyes to the window partition. The thug who had accosted Kate laughed at something his partner said, revealing the cruel lines in his face.

  Sam’s mouth pressed into a thin line. He would not allow that asshole to touch her again. Protecting Kate was his first priority even if it meant sacrificing his own life.

  The van pulled to a halt and Sam immediately rose to his knees, peering through the small window. When he saw Kate stir, he crawled to her side.

  “We’re outside a gated estate. The driver is keying in a code at the access panel. This must be one of Buckman’s homes.”

  Kate sounded relieved. “If we’re at his home, they don’t intend to kill us.”

  Sam managed to keep his face expressionless but it felt as if someone had punched him in the gut. He watched hope shimmer in her eyes. To hear Kate verbalize his worst fears made him ache in a way he had never known.

  “No, sweetheart, they aren’t going to kill us.” Yet.

  Kate strained for a view of the grounds as they drove through a pair of ornate iron gates. The lane made a lazy curl through perfectly manicured lawns and large, full trees. Although barren for the winter months, she could tell the grounds would be a photographer’s dream in spring.

  Struggling to keep her balance as the van rocked along the drive, Kate suddenly spied the welcoming lights of a sprawling Southern mansion. Four massive columns flanked a wide veranda porch.

  “It looks like something from ‘Gone With The Wind’. Perhaps Jeff was able to convince Conrad to talk to us, after all.”

  “I doubt we’ll experience any southern hospitality like we did at Cal’s,” he replied smoothly. “If Buckman asks about the knapsack, stick to your story that it’s in the hotel safe. You might buy us some time.”

  The van pulled to a halt in front of a brightly lit entry. After the thugs unlocked the door to the cargo area, Kate scooted forward, allowing the taller of the two men to help her from the vehicle. Sam jumped to the ground without assistance, taking a protective stance near Kate’s side.

  “Follow me,” the man with the silver tooth instructed them, leering hungrily as Kate passed him. She inched closer to Sam, keeping pace until they were in sight of the front door.

  Wide steps led to a covered porch that stretched the length of the house. White wicker furniture nestled under a striped canopy, brightened by tall urns filled with lush, autumn blooms. Under different circumstances, Kate would have found the entire setting quite charming.

  As they approached the entry, a carved wooden door swung open to reveal a third man, silently monitoring their progress. He was dressed in grey slacks, a black turtleneck and sported a side holster with firearm.

  “Take them to the parlor,” he commanded in a monotone voice. His face remained a stern mask as they were ushered inside.

  The man who had greeted them at the door began to untie Kate’s hands. “Would you care for something to drink, Miss Merrill?”

  She rubbed the bruised flesh around her wrists, eyeing him suspiciously. “Yes, please. A glass of water would be wonderful.” She turned to Sam, attempting to untie his bound hands.

  Kate felt pressure on her shoulder, pulling her back. “I’m afraid your friend must remain confined.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. He’s hurt. He needs medical attention. Look at what your men did to him.”

  Ignoring his protest, Kate continued to untie Sam’s ropes. She dropped the bindings on the carpet before turning around to challenge the assistant with a glare.

  “If you can’t follow orders, Miss Merrill, I’ll have no choice but to restrain you again.”

  “I’ve had enough of your so called orders,” she snapped angrily, surprising Sam with her bold outburst. “I’m tired, I’ve been sexually harassed by your goon, and I’m in no mood to be bossed around. I want to know what’s going on, and I want to know right now.”

  A high pitched laugh drifted across the room, causing Kate to spin toward the door.

  “Of course you do, my dear. What a frightful experience you’ve had.”

  Kate eyed the middle aged woman gliding through the door in a cloud of green silk. She was tall and slender with a platinum bob framing her flawless face. Her hand extended in greeting as she approached.

  “I’m so sorry the situation deteriorated as it did. That was never my intention, Kate.” She stopped in front of her guests, her white teeth gleaming brilliantly beneath a pair of twinkling blue eyes. “We meet at last, my dear. I’m Sharon Grant. And who is your handsome friend?”

  Kate bristled as the woman turned her attention to Sam. Her eyes trailed slowly over his muscular frame as if examining a fine thoroughbred stallion.

  To Kate’s dismay, Sam issued a sexy wink before raising her fingers to his lips. “Sam Holden. The pleasure is all mine.”

  Sharon beamed. “You certainly are a fine specimen of a man,” she purred in a husky voice. “I shall enjoy having you as my. . .guest.”

  “And I shall enjoy you. . .having me,” he grinned with a bold innuendo.

  Kate could hardly believe her ears. What was Sam thinking? Flirting with a woman who had nearly had them killed! Was he mad? Surely he wasn’t attracted to her.

  “Why have you brought us here?” Kate stepped forward, interrupting their play. “Are you working with Conrad Buckman? What was your connection to my father?”

  Sharon’s amused laugh tinkled like fine crystal as she urged her guests to be seated on a nearby sofa. “First things first, dear Kate. Why didn’t you bring your father’s papers as I requested?”

  Kate squirmed under her pointed gaze. “I was worried about Sam,” she stammered quickly. “I forgot to retrieve my knapsack from the hotel safe.” She sensed Sharon’s skepticism. “If you recall, I contacted you for help. It never occurred to me I would be kidnapped by your thugs.”

  “Ivan is hardly a thug. A bit over zealous at times, but certainly not a thug. And Raoul? Well, let’s just say he admires you greatly.” Her expression turned icy as she poured amber liquid into a glass. “You’ve complicated things, Kate. It should never have come to this. I see so much of your father in you.”

  Kate straightened her shoulders defiantly. “I consider that a compliment, Miss Grant. Were you the one who had him killed, or was it Conrad?”

  The older woman sipped her drink quietly, ignoring Kate’s question.

  “Robert was unassuming and easy to manipulate...like you. It took very little effort to convince him that Conrad was conspiring with terrorists. I simply had my associate plant the right documents for your father to find. As soon as he discovered Conrad’s involvement, he was putty in my hands.”

  “I can’t believe my dad trusted you.”

  “Oh, but he did, dear girl. I work for the CDC. It made my interest in his work legitimate. I explained that we needed his vaccine to protect the victims of Conrad’s attack. It was all very dramatic,” she laughed, “and Robert was such a patriot. He immediately stepped up to defend his country.”

  Sam leaned back against the sofa, his mouth forming a hard line as he pieced the details together. “You falsified Buckman’s diary.”

  Sharon smiled, seeming quite pleased with herself. “Clever, wasn’t it? Robert was a bit resistant to the idea at first. He simply would not believe Conrad was involved in bioterrorism
against his own country. Once I encouraged him to search for incriminating evidence, he became manageable.”

  She swirled her drink thoughtfully. “I already knew Conrad had intercepted government intel about the Pneumonic Plague threat. That’s why he hired Robert to work on a vaccination. The old coot is wealthier than God and has almost as much power.” She took a sip of her wine before continuing in a smug tone. “It was a perfect scenario. I needed the formula to protect my associates from the virus, and dear Robert was eager to save the world.”

  “Why did you kill my father?”

  Sharon rolled her eyes with bored disdain before feigning compassion. “Poor Kate! My condolences on your loss. It was nothing devious, mind you. A simple matter of collateral damage. Once the formula was perfected and testing had neared completion, Robert became dispensable. I couldn’t very well have him running around bragging about how he’d helped the CDC combat a bioterrorism attack, now could I? While he was working feverously in his lab, I convinced Conrad that Robert was the one plotting to sell the virus and vaccination to foreign entities.”

  Sam shook his head, stunned disbelief deepening his gaze. “You played them against each other.”

  “Divide and conquer, Sam darling. It’s an age old strategy of battle.” Sharon moved behind the couch, her fingers trailing intimately across his shoulder. “You’re a powerful male. Surely you can respect my actions. All’s fair in love and war.” She cast a sidelong glance at Kate as she stroked his cheek meaningfully.

  “So you had my dad killed because he knew too much.”

  “He was a threat to my plans, dear girl. There was no other option. I’d hired Raoul to monitor the situation in my absence. He’s quite effective at making murder look like an accident.”

  Kate felt the blood drain from her face as Sam sat forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “There are surveillance photos of Buckman meeting with foreign dignitaries. Yet you claim he’s not involved in the bioterrorism plot.”

  Sharon threw back her head and laughed, the gloating taunt of a victor. “It’s no wonder Conrad and Robert were good friends. They’re so much alike. Each has this heroic quest to be involved in something larger than life.”

  “I don’t understand,” Sam frowned.

  “Conrad was meeting with those men to negotiate a deal - just not the kind you imagined. He offered free medicine through his pharmaceutical company if they agreed to stop covert research on biological weapons. You realize, of course, Conrad Buckman has never been a man to use the proper political channels when he wants something. He likes to muscle his way into situations that are better left to the professionals.”

  “So Buckman was an innocent in all this, just like Kate’s father. What now?”

  She straightened her shoulders, a business like mask falling across her features. “I can see you and Kate are exhausted from your ordeal. You shall stay tonight as my guests. In the morning I’ll provide clean clothes and a nice breakfast. Kate will then be escorted to the hotel to retrieve her father’s papers.”

  “And after that?” Kate was almost afraid to hear the answer.

  Sharon raised a penciled brow. “Oh, my dear, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We can discuss options for your future after you’ve completed your assignment.”

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Kate shivered with a sudden chill, pressing her hands over her eyes while willing everything to return to normal. When she looked up, however, it was with the realization that tomorrow might be her last day.

  The taller man named Ivan returned to escort them to their room. “Miss Grant has arranged a guest suite for you. There are two bedrooms but only one way in and out,” he explained as they followed him up a wide, curving staircase. “I’m posting a guard outside your door. Don’t try anything stupid.” He looked directly at Kate. “Your friend’s life depends on your cooperation.”

  She nodded timidly. “I understand.”

  “Good.”

  He opened the door, stepping back to allow them entrance. The sitting room was large. Antique furnishings trimmed in honey colored wood complemented the pastel threads in brocade drapes. Two doors opened on opposite sides, each hosting a bedroom with a private bath.

  Ivan quietly stepped out of the room and closed the door. It was followed by the subtle jingle of a key in the lock.

  “Well, it’s better than the warehouse.” Kate sank onto the settee and rested her chin wearily against her hand. “What’s going to happen to us?”

  Sam lowered himself beside her. “We’ve got time to come up with a plan. Don’t give up.”

  Kate wanted to question him about his flirtatious behavior with Sharon Grant but was too weary for an argument. She leaned her head against the sofa and closed her eyes.

  “We’ll get out of this, Kate. I promise.”

  “But what happens tomorrow when I arrive at the hotel to pick up the knapsack and it’s not there? The limo driver has it.”

  “Act surprised. Sharon is aware of your relationship with Miller. Let her believe Conrad and Jeff stole it out from under her nose.”

  Her expression brightened. Sam’s suggestion reminded her that Jeff was working with Conrad and not Sharon Grant. He must have been after the formula so he could return it to the lab.

  “It’s a good idea,” she conceded. “If Sharon thinks Jeff has the knapsack, I could offer to coerce him into returning dad’s formula. It would give me a chance to alert him to our whereabouts.”

  Sam planted a kiss on her forehead. “Beautiful and smart. That’s my girl.”

  His girl. Kate liked the way it sounded. “Now that we have a plan, I’m heading for the shower. Care to join me?”

  Sam stretched his arms over his head before smothering a yawn behind one hand. “I’m tired,” he murmured in a low voice. “I think I’ll turn in. Which room do you want?”

  Kate struggled to conceal her disappointment. Not only was Sam turning down the invitation to shower with her, apparently he was not keen to share her bed, either. She could have sworn he was on the verge of admitting he cared. What could have changed his mind?

  “Either room is fine,” she muttered, whirling on her heel before he could see the hurt in her eyes. “See you in the morning.”

  Kate headed for the closest bedroom and slammed the door more forcefully than she had intended. She walked straight through to the bath, kicking off her shoes along the way. Leaving her clothes in a scattered pile on the floor, she stepped into the glass enclosure.

  The shower’s pulsating stream provided welcome relief to her aching muscles, but it failed to dispel the disturbing doubts tormenting her thoughts. Why had Sam reverted back to his aloof behavior? His “hot and cold” flip flopping was wearing thin. He needed to make up his damn mind. Did he want to be with her or didn’t he?

  Tonight it was obvious he didn’t.

  Turning off the faucet, Kate patted her skin with a plush towel before reaching for a robe hanging by the door. As she slipped into the thick terrycloth, she spied a tray of food on a small table near the bed.

  She was grateful for the meal although her appetite had diminished with Sam’s rejection. At least Sharon wasn’t going to starve them.

  Ivan had shown little concern for Sam’s well being. Perhaps she should find out if he had received a meal, as well. She would hate for him to go hungry.

  Her fingers reached for the door but froze in mid air as a familiar laugh resonated from the other side. Kate pulled back her hand as though it had been burned by hot metal. Sharon was in their suite. . .with Sam.

  So this why he had pushed her away! Sam must have arranged to meet Sharon.

  Kate paced the thick carpet, muttering furiously under her breath. It all made perfect sense. Sam was using charm to ingratiate himself to their hostess. He was incorrigible! Melanie had tried to warn her about his philandering ways but she had refused to listen.

  Kate stopped in the middle of the room as his rich laughter rumbled seductively from t
he other room. She felt like a moth drawn to the flame, tiptoeing to door to catch snippets of their conversation.

  “...darling.”

  “...you’re quite a woman, Miss Grant...”

  “I could use a man like you...”

  “...ummm, that feels so good! Don’t stop...”

  Kate was unable to contain herself any longer. With a quick jerk, she threw open the bedroom door. Her eyes flew to the small sofa where Sam was rubbing Sharon’s shoulders.

  “I...I wanted to make sure you had received your dinner,” she stammered loudly. She could feel the burn spread across her cheeks as he launched an amused gaze.

  “Sharon delivered it personally. You were in the shower so I put the second tray by your bed.”

  “Thank you.”

  Kate caught the smug look on Sharon’s face. “You look exhausted, child. Why don’t you retire for the evening?”

  “I’m not a child,” she snapped, realizing too late how silly it sounded. Clamping her lips together, she turned on her heel and retreated to her bedroom. As she closed the door, she heard Sharon’s wicked purr.

  “Poor thing. I believe she has a crush on you, darling.”

  “It does appear that way,” Sam replied evenly.

  Kate didn’t know whether to cry or curse, and so she did both. She picked up a pillow from the bed and slammed it against the wall as her vision blurred.

  “Damn you, Sam Holden.”

  Sinking into a chair, the tears spilled onto her cheeks until she slumped exhausted against the padded arm. She wanted to get as far away from Sam as possible but between the locked doors and guards, her only escape was to go to sleep.

  She slid between the scented sheets after tossing her robe to the foot of the bed. The empty pillow next to her was a reminder that Sam would be sharing someone else’s bed so she quickly rolled to her side, facing away from it.

  Her mind was languid, without hope. Her father had given his life to protect his country. As her lids grew heavy, she realized that she could end up with a similar fate.