KIDNAPPED, A Romantic Suspense Novel by Suzanne Ferrell Read Free Book Online

I have to report any form of child abuse to the child protection agency. I need to know exactly what they did to him.” She laid her hand on Jake's. "What if something serious was damaged? Look, there is bruising near his ribs. I can’t fix a lacerated spleen, kidney or liver, and I don’t know that he does or doesn’t have one. He may need to go to surgery. And I think he needs some antibiotics."
    Jake pushed away from the couch. He strode to the window, resting his arm against the sill. Silence hung in the air like a kite waiting for a burst of wind. "Once I get him to my boss, he’ll be okay. I really can’t trust you to keep quiet, Samantha. You'll run right to the police to report this. And that could mean the death of all three of us."
     
    His tense body signaled Sami that he’d made up his mind. Whatever had happened to Nicky, Jake intended to keep it to himself. Indignation flared hot inside her. "Look, you can’t let your secrets endanger this boy any more than they already have. Until this fever comes down, he’s at risk to have a seizure. You can't risk moving him."
    "Look, lady! Maybe you don't understand English. He isn't safe here with you, neither am I. In fact you aren't safe with us here, either. And Nicky certainly isn’t safe at any hospital.” He ran his hands through his thick blonde hair again. Suddenly, he twirled around, slamming one hand against the wall. Sami winced at the sound.
    "Damn. I can't believe this is happening. Just get Nicky well enough to travel, okay?”
    Sami switched the warm cloths with cool ones. She needed to keep her own temper under control. "I don't know that I can. Alcohol baths are effective, but only for a short period of time."
    "Don't you have some medicine he could take? Tylenol or something?” He headed for her bathroom, slamming through the pills she had in there.
    "It's useless to look in there. I don’t have children's Tylenol.” Not for four years.
    "Can't we give him some regular stuff?”
    "I used the last of it the other day."
    He strode back into the room, standing over her. "What kind of nurse are you, lady? You don't even keep Tylenol in the house?”
    Sami stared at him with a look that had quelled more than one arrogant doctor during her career. "Excuse me. If I had known I was going to be kidnapped by a man with a sick child I would have run right out and bought some children's Tylenol."
    "Okay. You made your point.” He held up his hands in mock surrender. "So what do we do?”
    "I could run out and get some.” Sami smiled.
    He sighed. 
    "If I get the Tylenol, how soon will it work? How soon can I move Nicky?”
    "If I can get some down him, and if it has any effect, his fever might be lower in about an hour. But I still wouldn't recommend moving him, unless it’s absolutely necessary."
    "It's necessary.” He grabbed her by the arm, literally hauling her to her feet.
    "Hey!" Sami sputtered, as he dragged her back to the bedroom once more. "You can't tie me up again. Nicky needs me."
    "I can't trust you not to take off for the neighbors."
    What was this guy? A mind reader?
    Sami tried to pull loose, but Jake gripped her too tight. She dragged her feet, trying to slow him. "You can't leave him alone out there."
    "Don't worry about, Nicky. I'll take care of him."
    "You can't take him away. He needs me. You need me.” Tears ran down her cheeks. She couldn't stand being tied again. Especially not with Nicky so sick and helpless. She had to convince Jake not to tie her up. "I'll do anything. Anything you want, just don't tie me up."
     
    "Anything?” He held her arm tight. The bed pressed against the backs of her legs. Slowly, his gaze wandered from her head to her feet, then back again. Heat flooded her face. She refused to flinch. His smoldering look almost broke her resolve.
    "Yes. Anything.” She lifted her chin a little. Just a small challenge.
    He moved closer. His free hand glided up her hip, over her side, gently across up her arm, to