Drake Sisters 06 - Turbulent Sea

corner and read a book if you don't want to talk. I'll spoil you with gourmet chocolate,' she added, using a clear bribe.
    He managed another laugh and toed the wreck of his guitar. 'I can't believe I did that.'
    'Me either. That was your favorite guitar.'
    Brian put his hand in hers and they walked out of the room. Jonas and Aleksandr shot her an inquiring look as they stood and closed ranks around Brian and Joley.
    'Everything okay?' Jonas asked.
    Joley nodded. 'It's all good.'
    They walked through the halls until they came to the exit. Security was everywhere, and a few lifted their hands when Joley flashed them a smile. Steve stood beside the car waiting as they came over.
    'I'm sorry I held you up,' Joley greeted. 'We got talking.'
    Steve shrugged. 'It's my job. No big deal.'
    Jonas opened the door for her. 'We'll follow behind you in the other car.'

    'That's dumb. There's plenty of room and no need to take two cars. Just tell the other driver you're coming with us,'
    Joley protested. Steve started the car and at once warm air began to fill the interior. Joley hadn't realized she was cold until that moment. 'And hurry up because I want to get back and have a hot cup of tea.'
    Jonas nodded and shut the door. Steve put the car in gear and began to pull away.
    'Wait. Wait for my brothers-in-law,' Joley said, leaning forward in her seat. 'They're coming with us.'
    A smoky window went up between the front and back seats. At the same time, the locks snicked into place.
    'Steve. What the hell are you doing?' Joley demanded as the window continued to rise between them. 'We need to wait for Jonas. Steve, damn it. What are you doing?' She knocked on the window. When there was no response, she tried the doors. The lock wouldn't respond. 'Great.' She slumped back in her seat. 'This is just great.'
    Joley pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and flipped it open to call Jonas. 'Shit. No service. He must have a jamming device in the car with us.'
    Brian's eyebrow shot up, and in spite of the situation he laughed. 'A jamming device? You sound like a spy. Are there jamming devices? And if so, how do you know about them?'
    Joley flung herself back against the seat. 'This is such bull, Brian. My own driver-slash-bodyguard is kidnapping us.
    And my bodyguard brother put us in the car. And my bodyguard boyfriend is off playing with his friends. Sheesh.' She crossed her arms across her chest and kicked the front seat hard, right in the middle of Steve's back. And when he stops this car, I'm kicking his ass.'
    Brian laughed again. 'You're so crazy, Joley. Most women would be scared at this point. Hell, if I hadn't seen a dozen dead bodies today, I'd be scared, too.'
    'I'm tired and mad. Really mad. We've been working for months nonstop. I'm one show away from going home. Sea Haven is about four hours from here, Brian. That's it.'
    'So what are we going to do?'
    She scowled and drove the toe of her shoe deep into the middle of the back of the driver's seat a second time just for emphasis. 'I have no idea. But these idiots are messing around with the wrong woman. My sisters are not going to be happy about this.' Joley looked around her. All right. What do we have back here that can be used as a weapon? We just have to buy ourselves a little time. Jonas and Aleksandr will be following. Ilya will come, and my sisters are going to be a force to contend with. Give me a minute and let me see if I can reach any of them.'
    But it was Ilya she called first. She closed her eyes, blocked out everything around her - all sounds, all thoughts -
    and concentrated on him. Her palm itched, and she ran her fingertip over the mark, as if she could physically touch him.
    Ilya. I'm in trouble.
    She felt him moving through her mind, and then there was warmth. That's nothing new. The faint note of humor caressed her with a soothing touch. The word just came in to Nikitin that the kidnappers want a meet. They're using you and Brian, who apparently is with you, as a bargaining chip to work out a deal. Nikitin would never have shown up for you. They don't know it, but they're holding a winning hand with Brian. There was that same reassuring warmth. Don't worry, I'd show up for you, but as Steve's involved, they probably expect that.
    Joley sent him an impression of haughty disdain. I wasn 't in the least bit worried. She sobered with a little sigh.
    Everything was falling into place now. All the clues had been there; she just hadn't read them. I talked to