CHAPTER ONE
One month later …
“Hey, sis, its me.”
Sammi rolled her eyes at her too bright tone as she drove her fourth stolen car. That would never do. She had to make Jane think it was an unplanned—and quick—visit.
If her half-sister got wind that she was in trouble, Jane would try to help. And thats the last thing Sammi wanted her to do.
The truth was, she was desperate for some rest. True rest. Not the kind shed been getting for the last four weeks where she slept for a few minutes at a time because there wasnt a place she felt safe enough to give into the sleep her body needed to help it heal.
“Jane. Its me,” Sammi said with a big smile. It quickly faded as she groaned. “I dont know how to be casual. Shes going to see right through me.”
Nothing had been easy since she ran away from the docks. She didnt want to chance using her credit cards out of fear the Mob might find her. She couldnt even access her bank account for the same reason. At least Daniels money had been where he had said it was. That alone was what kept her alive.
She resorted to stealing cars that would be better off becoming a pile of metal than a mode of transportation. But she shouldnt complain. The piece of shite she was driving now had managed to go fifty miles without breaking down.
“Just get me to Dreagan, P.O.S., and I wont be tempted to torch you.”
As if to let Sammi know she wasnt in control, the 1982 Morris Marina sputtered before the engine revved again.
Sammi forgot about the car and went back to finding a way to greet Jane without causing suspicion. She had gone through two more scenarios when she slowed the car as she came upon the turn Jane had told her about over a year ago, when shed invited Sammi to a party after her and Banans wedding.
Another invitation she had made up an excuse not to attend. What kind of person was she to lie and not go to her sisters wedding party?
She didnt know how she remembered it since Sammi had been taking orders at the pub while on the phone, but somehow she had. And she was most thankful.
Slowing the car, Sammi drove down the long, winding road with two mountains flanking either side of her. On one occasion she thought she glimpsed someone in the dense trees, but it must have been her imagination, which was on overdrive since the incident, as she now called what had happened in Oban.
Sammi felt some of the tension leave her shoulders as Dreagan Industries came into view. Jane had invited her several times, but she had never been able to leave the pub. Now, as she took in the spectacular views, Sammi wished she would have.
She parked the car and wondered where the house was. Jane lived on the property, but all Sammi saw were buildings used for the production of Dreagans famous whisky.
For several minutes, she simply took in the white buildings with their red roofs, the sounds of the stills, and the tranquility that seemed to be a part of Dreagan itself as she got out of the car.
Jane had said Dreagan consisted of sixty thousand acres. From what Sammi could see, there wasnt a part of it that didnt take her breath away.
For the first time in over a month, Sammi didnt feel that tickle on the back of her neck that said she was being watched. A look around confirmed that there were no suspicious cars, no dubious men who might be following her.
Maybe here she could finally relax. If for only a few days. She wouldnt stay longer and bring the Mob to Janes doorstep. Not to mention Sammi was certain Janes husband, Banan, wouldnt appreciate bad men coming and destroying the beauty of Dreagan.
“Are you here for the job too?”
Sammi jerked, startled by the voice behind her. The movement pulled at her slow-healing wound, causing her to hold her left arm against her side for protection. She turned to find a young woman with glossy black hair falling over one shoulder.
The womans black eyes glanced down to Sammis arm, concern clouding her face. “Are you hurt? Can I help?”
Sammi swallowed and gradually loosened her arm. “Ill be all right, thanks.”
“You didnt see how pale you were.”
“American, right?” Sammi asked to change the subject.
The woman briefly looked away as she nodded. “My mother was from South Africa while my father had dual citizenship with the US and Spain.”
“How interesting.” As a bartender, Sammi had a knack for spotting people who had a story to tell, and she could see that this woman was one of them.
She took a step closer and shoved her mane of midnight hair off her shoulder. “At least let me help you inside so you can collect yourself before the interview.”
Sammi instantly liked the woman, American accent and all. There was just something about her that told Sammi the woman was as kindhearted as the day was long.
“Im not here for the interview,” Sammi told her.
The woman paused before she gave a little laugh. “Well, Im glad. I really need this job.”
“Forget any competition. You have a natural ability with people. If the job involves that, theyd be fools not to give it to you.”
The woman beamed, her large black eyes crinkling in the corners. “Thank you. Im Lily, by the way. Lily Ross.”
“Its nice to meet you, Lily. Im Sammi.”
Lily moved her purse to her other shoulder, causing the sleeve of her sweater that was at least three sizes too big to fall and reveal a huge bruise on her arm.
“Thats one hell of a bruise,” Sammi remarked.
Lily laughed as she moved her sweater over it. “Im as clumsy as they come. A laundry basket filled high and shoes in the middle of the floor, and Im a catastrophe waiting to happen.”
“You should get along with Jane famously.” Sammi made a mental note not to have anything breakable around when Lily and Jane were together.
Lily looked Sammi up and down, a frown marring her forehead. “You need to sit. Shall I help you inside?”
“I think Ill be okay, but I will walk with you.”
They had only gone a few steps when Lily asked, “How do you know I would be a good fit to interact with people?”
“Its a gift Ive always had. I can look at a person and just know. I used to run a pub, and I learned quickly that only certain kinds of people could work there and be successful. People like you.”
Lily smiled as she looked at the ground.
When she didnt say anything, Sammi decided to push her a little. “What kind of job is it youll be interviewing for?”
“Oh, its nothing too important. Its for the gift shop.”
“So you would be selling the Dreagan whisky to tourists?”
“I would.”
“Its perfect for you. Be confident when you go in. And remember, it is an important job, because itll be yours.”
Lilys smile widened, making the charming girl into a real beauty. She wore very little makeup and her clothes were too big and very drab.
Sammi, who had never had a close girlfriend, suddenly wanted to go shopping with Lily and outfit her with proper attire. Something bright and bold to complement her coloring. It must have been all the weeks hiding from the Mob that was messing with her mind.
It was a good thing they came to the door of the shop before Sammi did something really stupid and offer to bring Lily shopping, which might truly offend the woman. Lily might enjoy dressing as a sixty-year-old. Some women were just like that.
Despite her attire, Lily was a striking beauty with her black hair, black eyes, and mocha skin. The same couldnt be said for her, but Sammi had learned to work with her stubborn hair and pale complexion early in life, thanks to her mother.
As soon as they entered the shop, Sammi looked around at the shelves that covered the walls and were filled with bottles of Dreagan whisky.
Some of the glass bottles where in small, colored casks denoting an added flavor in the whisky, while others were in the tall, rounded tins. There were other bottles that where about half the size, and still others that looked like some kind of cream liquor.
At the far back wall was shelving enclosed in glass with the bottles proudly displayed.
“Those would be the fifty-year-old scotches, and ones that are even older. Theyre highly prized by collectors, and highly priced as well,” Lily said.
A woman with long, brunette hair with the top half pulled away from her face came around the counter and smiled at Lily. “You know your whisky.”
Lily turned to the woman and straightened her shoulders. “Id like to think I do. I was called in for the interview.”
“Ah,” the woman said as she glanced behind her to the clipboard. “You must be Lilliana Ross.”
“Lily, please,” she said and held out her hand.
The woman took it and smiled. “Im Cassie. Why dont we go to the back and talk?”
Sammi watched the two Americans interact and recognized by Cassies mannerisms that she liked Lily. If Sammi was a betting person, shed wager a hefty sum that Lily walked out with the job.
“Of course,” Lily said.
Cassies dark eyes lifted to Sammi. “Can I help you with anything?”
“Actually, I hope you can. Im looking for Jane.”
“Jane?” Cassie repeated, some of the spark gone from her eyes.
Sammi wasnt offended. Jane had mentioned how close everyone was at Dreagan, and now that she thought of it, she recalled Jane mentioning a Cassie.
“Im Sammi Miller, Ja—”
“Janes half-sister,” Cassie finished for her with a kind nod. “Let me call the house and get her over here. Shell be so pleased to see you.”
Sammi wasnt so sure of that, but she needed at least a day of rest and to see to her wound again. It felt as if it were becoming infected.
She could barely move her arm now. Dressing and showering was becoming a chore with only one arm, not to mention trying to wash her hair.
Before Cassie made the phone call, she stuck her head around the corner and said something to whoever was there. While she called the house, a tall man with faded jeans riding low on trim hips and a burgundy tee with a dragon design mimicking a tribal tattoo came walking into the shop.
It was hard to tell how long his dark hair was because he had it pulled back in a queue, but his aqua eyes glanced at Sammi before they landed on Lily. After a hesitation, in which he took in every inch of the petite woman, he looked away and walked around the counter to a case of whisky waiting to be stocked on the shelves.
Sammis gaze turned to Lily to find she was staring at the man as if he were the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Granted, he was drool-worthy, but Sammi had seen many men like him during her days at the pub. They were gorgeous, and most of them knew it. To those men, females were meant for entertainment and nothing more.
But by the way Lily couldnt look away from him, Sammi was going to have to caution her. Then she realized that maybe she shouldnt. Everyone needed to fall in love at least once, and everyone needed to have their heart broken once. That way, when love came again, it was all the sweeter.
At least thats what her mum had always said. Sammi hadnt given that piece of advice a try. Oh, shed had her heart broken when she was a teenager, but she hadnt fallen in love.
And she never would.
Cassie hung up the phone and met Sammis eyes. “Jane is on her way. Lily, why dont we go in the back?”
Sammi gave Lily a wink of encouragement, and then found herself alone with the man.
“So youre Samantha,” he said without looking at her.
She turned toward him fully and glared, not that he saw it. He kept stocking the whisky as if he hadnt just spoken to her. “I prefer Sammi.”
“You prefer a male name?”
“Do you prefer to walk around holding your twig and berries after I kick you?”
He paused. Then he looked at her over his shoulder, a wide smile upon his lips. “I thought youd be more like Jane.”
“Quiet and demure, or klutzy?”
“Either. Both.”
“Leave her alone, Rhys,” Jane said as she let the door close behind her, though there was no censure in her tone. “Sammi manages to stay upright. As for demure, I think shes brilliant just as she is.”
Sammi hated when Jane said things like that because it always made her eyes prick with tears. She looked into Janes amber eyes and knew everything would be all right.
“Im so glad youre here,” Jane said and rushed to her.
Sammi tried not to grimace when Jane hugged her, but she didnt hide it quickly enough. Jane pulled back at the same time Rhys faced her.
Janes gaze silently probed her for several minutes before she asked, “What happened?”
“Nothing. Why? Cant I come see my half-sister?”
“Absolutely,” Jane said, her gaze still searching. “Its just … well, to put it bluntly, you havent.”
Sammi cringed. “I know. Im sorry. I wanted to take a few days and see you. If you arent busy, that is.”
“Not at all. Im beyond happy that youre here. Are you sure everything is all right?” she asked again.
Sammi forced a laugh. “Of course it is. Why would you keep asking that?”
“Youve lost weight, not that you had a lot to lose to begin with. Youve got dark circles under your eyes too, and youre holding your left arm oddly. And is that blood coming through your shirt near your shoulder?”
Suddenly, the past four weeks slammed into Sammi. Or maybe it was because she was finally on Dreagan—Jane had let it slip that it was one of the most heavily guarded areas in Scotland—and felt safe enough to let down her guard.
Either way, it was as though her body had simply reached its limit. Sammi could barely hold her eyes open she was so exhausted. She grabbed the counter to keep on her feet and her fatigue at bay while she searched her mind to come up with some lie.
But she didnt want to lie anymore, not to Jane. She couldnt tell them the truth, but she could give them something. “Its a small wound, and its better if you dont know anything. I just need a place to stay for the night.”
“Youll stay longer,” Jane stated with a nod.
But Sammi was already shaking her head. “No.”
“Banan, tell her,” Jane said.
Banans tall form walked around the counter to Jane. Sammi hadnt even known he had entered the shop. He stood behind Jane, his hands on her shoulders as his gray eyes met Sammis. Whereas Rhyss hair was long, Banan kept his dark brown locks cut short.
“Jane is right. You need to stay,” Banan said.
Sammi knew it was useless to argue now. She would be up early and gone before they knew it. Now that she knew she was at Dreagan and could stay, she could barely keep upright. Her stomach growled, her wound ached, and her eyes fought to stay open.
“Lets get you to the house,” Jane said as she turned Sammi and guided her to the door. “Banan will get your things. Once youre fed and rested, I want you to tell me whats going on. I can help.”
Sammi kept her gaze straight ahead and put one foot in front of the other by sheer will alone. She refused to collapse. There was nothing Jane could say that would convince Sammi to tell her any of her troubles. The less Jane and Banan knew, the better.
At least thats what she prayed for.
Copyright © 2014 by Donna Grant
Excerpt from Burning Desire copyright © 2014 by Donna Grant