A Second Past Midnight (The Sentinels)

by Melinda Hunter

  “Fuck,” he groaned. Looking up as he regained his breath, he saw Sana standing in front of him with a horrified look on her face. He didn’t like that.

  “I’m so sorry.” Sana shucked her gloves and ran to his side. The second that she placed her hands on his shoulder and chest, his pain all but dissipated.

  “Damn woman, you’re good.” Arrigo stood upright and looked down at her. She still had her hands on him and it was all he could do not to kiss her senseless.

  Letting her hands slide away, she took a step back. “Williams was right,” she mumbled.

  “Sana, you okay in here?” The voice behind them was unknown to him. Arrigo turned to see Sinjin standing in the doorway. Letting out a growl, he wished that man would go away.

  She looked toward Sinjin and then turned and ran to the locker room.

  “What the hell is going on?” Sinjin accused as he stormed toward Arrigo. “What did you do to her?”

  “I startled her and she kicked me. It’s really no big deal.” Arrigo played the incident off as not to raise suspicion. He didn’t want Sinjin blowing anything out of proportion and he sure didn’t want Sana embarrassed by their relationship. And that’s when it hit him. He wanted a relationship with her. He had barely known her for forty-eight hours and wanted a relationship with her. Shoving those thoughts aside, he looked toward the woman’s locker room and then back at Sinjin.

  “You better not do anything to hurt her poster boy.” Sinjin hissed the words at him. Arrigo didn’t take kindly to Sinjin’s threat and he would never do anything to hurt her.

  “Poster boy?” Arrigo smirked.

  “I know your type. You come in here and think you’re better than everyone else. Well, you’re not and if you think you’re going to dismantle my team in any way you’re mistaken.” Sinjin’s stance told Arrigo that he was marking his territory. Arrigo understood what Sinjin was thinking, but he wasn’t like that. He had no problem keeping to himself if it was for the good of the team.

  “I’m not sure where you got that idea, but I’m here to work as part of a team. I have no intentions of dismantling anything.” Arrigo wasn’t going to discuss it any further and with that, he started for the door.

  “Just remember I’m watching you,” Sinjin called after him.

  Arrigo didn’t respond even though he wanted to.

  Instead, he focused his mind back on Sana. He didn’t know if she was still in the locker room or in her room. Arrigo thought he would try the locker room first. Walking around to the other locker room entrance and called out for her.

  “Sana!” A few moments passed and no answer so he went inside. It was empty. She must have gone to her room.

  Arrigo stood in front of her door and took a deep breath before knocking. Once his hand hit the wood, he knew there was no turning back. He mentally prepared himself for the wrath she would probably unleash on him.

  But she didn’t open the door.

  Much to his frustration, he headed for the parking garage only to find Sana’s car gone.

  “Damn it.” Arrigo couldn’t believe she had been so upset to leave. She really was moody, but he didn’t care. He just wanted to get to know her.

  If Arrigo had brought his keys from his room, he would have gone for a drive, but instead, he sulked as he went back to his room.

  ****

  “I don’t know what to do. I feel so— so confused.” Sana hoped that Adam would be able to give her some words of wisdom, but first she had to convince Adam to keep this a secret from Berk and that took some doing, but he finally agreed.

  She had never felt this way before about a man. She wanted to be near Arrigo, but at the same time, she was afraid of him. Sana had only given Adam the minimal details needed since she knew that he would go psycho if he knew that they had slept together. For the first time ever, she actually contemplated leaving the Sentinel group. She had fought to prove that she could do the job, but now she wasn’t sure.

  “Sana, I can’t tell you what to do, but it sounds like you need to talk to him before you quit the Sentinels and I want to know if he hurts you in any way. I’ll be on my jet to rip his lungs out and you know Eve will be more than willing to help.” Adam St James had been her boss and mentor for four years before he left to chase after a woman. As a co-founder of the Sentinel group, he had personally hired her and trained her. He was also one of the few people on the planet that could tolerate her and she knew it.

  She missed having Adam around even if it was just so he could tell her what to do.

  Feeling overwhelmed, she felt a tear run down her cheek.

  “Are you there?” Adam asked.

  She sniffed. “Yes.” Sana had tried to keep her voice from cracking, but it didn’t happen. She knew she was in for it now. She had only cried in front of Adam once and that was when her father was killed.

  “Are you— crying?” Adam asked quietly.

  “I’m sorry. I just miss you guys that’s all.” Sana attempted to feign her source of the emotions, but she knew he would pick up on it.

  “Sana. I think you should talk to Eve. She might be able to help you a little better than I can with this one. Is that okay?”

  “Yes, that’s fine.” Sana sniffed back another round of tears.

  “She’s right here, but before I go I want you to remember that you have to decide what you want.” Adam’s tone had turned back to the stern father-like tone she was accustomed to.

  “Alright. Thanks.” Sana stated solemnly.

  Sana could hear Adam talking to Eve in the background. “She’s got it bad. I’ll take Iolani to the beach while you talk.”

  She had what bad? What the hell did that mean? She could hear Iolani giggle in the background. Eve had given birth to Iolani just before their first anniversary and Sana had gotten to be there the day she was born. She always wondered if she might be a good mother like Eve.

  Anxiously, Sana waited for Eve to speak. They had become friends immediately when she had married Adam. Eve was the only female friend that Sana had too.

  “Hi sweetie, how are you?” Eve asked. Her soft voice soothed Sana instantly. It had been far too long since she had talked to her.

  “I’ve been worse, I’ve been better.” Sana admitted.

  “So what’s his name?” Eve asked quizzically.

  “Arrigo Kane.”

  “Italian?”

  “I guess I don’t really know. He doesn’t really look Italian or sound it.” Sana realized then there was so much she wanted to learn about Arrigo.

  “Arrigo sounds sexy. What’s the scoop, how long have you known him and what’s he like?” Eve sounded as giddy as a teenager gossiping.

  “Oh Eve, I’ve only known him for forty-eight hours and he’s so nice to me. He’s too nice in fact.” Sana recalled the care he had taken to make sure that she enjoyed herself when they had slept together.

  “Two days? That’s it? Honey, that’s fast, but it didn’t take me much longer than that to realize I loved Adam. Anyway, tell me how he’s too nice. He isn’t following you around like a puppy is he?”

  “No he’s not. In fact, he’s been perfect. Not too clingy, not too distant. You’re right it has only been two days and just because we slept together—” Sana stopped as soon as it slipped out.

  “Oh. You’ve slept with him?” Eve said quietly.

  “Please don’t tell Adam. He’ll kill him and then me or worse, he’ll have Berk fire us.” Sana pleaded. She hated the thought of Berk finding out and firing both of them. Then she would have to live through the humiliation. She would rather be dead.

  “Sana, you’re an adult, but don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. Please continue. You were about to say something else.”

  “I’m just not that experienced with men. You know that. I don’t know what to do or say or how to act.” Sana started to sob.

  “Was he good to you?” Eve cleared her throat after asking that question and Sana knew what she meant. While Sana felt a bi
t uncomfortable, she actually felt relieved to have someone to confide in.

  “Yes. He was, well he was perfect.” Sana smiled to herself knowing that he truly was perfect.

  Eve chuckled and quickly paused. “Well that’s good. If you’re good in the bedroom that helps. Now about him. Does he seem interested in you or just your body?” Eve continued.

  “Well I guess both?” Sana wasn’t really sure she knew the answer to her question. She definitely knew it meant that she needed to talk to Arrigo.

  “It sounds like you need to talk to him and see what his intentions are. I know you’re not used to this kind of relationship, but you’re strong, you’ll figure it out.” Eve’s words were kind and supportive and Sana took them to heart.

  Sana sobered her thoughts. She knew that Eve was right and so was Adam. She needed to talk to Arrigo and find out what his intentions truly were even though they had only known each other a short time, she felt a connection between them. The way he had taken the time to please her left her knowing that he already cared on some level.

  “Thanks for the advice, Eve. I know what I need to do now.”

  “You are more than welcome and if you need anything don’t hesitate to call. As much as I don’t miss the Chicago winters I would drop everything to fly there and gut the bastard if he hurts you in any way.” Eve’s thirst for vengeance shown in her tone and it made Sana laugh considering Eve had been a nurse, not a Sentinel.

  “There, that’s better. I knew you were strong.” Eve’s smile came through the phone and it touched Sana’s heart to have such a good friend.

  “Kiss Iolani for me and tell the big guy thanks,” Sana said.

  “Will do. Take care.”

  Their call ended and Sana placed her phone on the car seat next to her and looked out the window to see the rows of tombstones. She had driven through the snowy cemetery where her father was buried.

  Sana got out of the car and stomped through the crunchy snow to her father’s tombstone. She visited it every month just to say hi. He had been her world and when he died in a plane crash, a part of her died with him. Sana’s mother had died when she was very little and she had no memories of her so her father had played both roles. He was also her role model, her mentor, and her best friend. Parker Jones was an architect and had made a fortune in his work and had always taught Sana to work hard and be proud of herself.

  Never once had he told her that she was outspoken or bitchy. He accepted her for who she was. Not only that, but he had supported her decision to become a Sentinel. Adam had met her father when he wanted an apartment building remodeled and had certain security needs. Sana had been cleared by Adam to assist her father in taking measurements and overseeing the project.

  When Adam found out that Sana was an expert shot, trained in Taekwondo and had a vicious temper, Adam jumped at the chance to bring her on board. She had just finished her first semester of college and hated it because she didn’t know what she wanted to do. Sana’s father actually encouraged her to at least give it a try because it involved helping people and she loved the idea of helping those that couldn’t be conventionally helped.

  “Hi dad.” Sana knelt in front of the gravesite. As she cleared away some leaves and broken tree branches she spoke.

  “I met someone and I think you’d like him. He’s seems to like me, but I don’t know yet.” She stood and shoved her hands in her pockets. What she wouldn’t give to have him back for just one more dinner. No matter what, he had always made sure that they had dinner together so they could talk.

  “Anyway, I just wanted to say hi and I’ll be back soon. Love you.” Sana smiled as she walked back to her car. Letting her emotions out with Eve had helped tremendously and just a few minutes of privacy at her father’s grave left her feeling relieved and her head clear.

  She knew what she wanted to do. She would talk to Arrigo and just be herself and if he was interested then so be it. If not, she would— well she would call Adam. Laughing to herself, she drove back to the Sentinel Headquarters.

  ****

  Arrigo thrust his hands through his hair as his frustrations grew. A night raid in Iraq stressed him less than the current situation with Sana did. He knew that Williams’ comments to her had thrown her mind into a negative downward spiral and that was something that he knew about all too well. Arrigo’s best friend and fellow corpsman, Grant Kennedy, would dive into a similar state when it came to his wife. Grant and Arrigo had known each other for nine years and occasionally Grant would doubt his ability to keep his wife happy when he was on the other side of the world.

  Sure, the couple might not see eye to eye during a phone conversation, but at the end of the day, they loved each other. Sophie, Grant's wife, never threatened to leave him and Arrigo knew that took a lot of faith considering the circumstances. Nevertheless, Grant would end up convincing himself that he didn’t deserve his wife and it would be Arrigo’s job to talk him off the preverbal ledge.

  The worries that Grant had were realistic, but Arrigo knew it would do him no good to worry about it. Usually after a couple of drinks, Grant would relax and Arrigo had him thinking that he was God’s gift to woman. While Arrigo had made his friend feel better, he usually ended up wishing that he had someone like Sophie to love.

  Arrigo had been able to deal with the mental traumas of the battles better than some, but love was one thing that he hadn’t experienced and honestly didn't know if he ever would. Sure, he had been with a few women, but they were just brief encounters over the years and he had never had an emotionally charged relationship with anyone. He had muted his feelings long ago and didn't know if he would ever know the sensations that accompanied love.

  Sana had gotten under his skin in more ways than he could have ever imagined possible and in just a few hours. Every time he thought of the curve of her lips as she smiled at him he knew he didn't want to ever miss seeing her happy and that told him that he was head over heels for her.

  Now if he could somehow convince her to give him a chance.

  ****

  As she entered the building, she realized that she hadn’t eaten and was starving. Anytime she stressed, she would lose her appetite and then be angry about it later.

  Sana headed for her room knowing she at least had some salad and if all else failed she would raid her backup stash of snack crackers. Feeling a little more upbeat about her potential relationship with Arrigo, she realized she almost had a skip to her step as she moved down the hallway. Her main concern now was trying to figure out how she would apologize to him.

  Turning down the corridor to her room, she found Arrigo sitting on the floor with his head on his knees.

  How childlike. Why would he be sitting there waiting for her, especially after the way she had just treated him.

  “Arrigo?” she asked.

  Quickly, he rose and faced her. If she wasn’t mistaken, a worried look blanketed his face.

  “Look I’m sorry. What happened between us was the last thing that I expected when I got here and I deserved that kick and more I’m sure.” He paused and ran his hand through his hair.

  Damn, did he look gorgeous.

  Keeping her head in charge instead of her hormones, she listened, but she wasn’t sure if he was trying to apologize or trying to let her know he wasn’t interested.

  “I just don’t want you to be uncomfortable around me. I will leave you alone and keep it strictly professional if that’s what you want.” Arrigo’s voice trailed off and she could see what he was doing. He was giving her the option and she respected that more than he could know.

  Arrigo nodded at her and started to walk away. Sana didn’t know what to say. Quickly, she reached down and grasped his hand as he passed by her.

  “Arrigo,” she whispered. He looked down at her and she instantly lost her thoughts as she stared into his eyes.

  A brief moment of silence passed before Arrigo dipped his head to capture her lips and her heart stopped. She let his tongue invade he
r mouth and the taste of him was even better than the night before.

  She slid both of her hands over his chest, feeling his muscles as she went. Clutching his shirt in her hands, she wasn’t going to let him go. She would still have to figure out an apology though.

  Pulling her close enough that she could feel every line of his body, she truly knew he wanted her now. Letting out a low moan, Arrigo abruptly pulled his lips away from her just a few inches.

  “I know this is fast, but I need you,” he whispered. Trailing light kisses down her jaw he continued, which set her body afire. “I want you to be who you are around me. Don’t listen to Williams and if you’re mad at me then tell me.”

  “What?” she asked. Shocked that he had made a comment regarding Williams surprised her. How did he know what Williams had said to her?

  “I know what he said to you and I want you to be you. Don’t sugarcoat anything for me,” Arrigo reassured her.

  Sana didn’t know how to react. Defensively, she didn’t like being a topic of conversation, but at the same time she knew she couldn’t really be angry about it. Dropping her gaze, she worried. Would he like her for who she was?

  Lifting her chin so their gaze met, she looked into his eyes.

  “Sana, you have to be honest with me and yourself if we’re going to give this a chance.” Arrigo waited for her response. It took her a moment, but it came to her.

  “I only have a few rules. Don’t patronize me, don’t keep me from my meals and please don’t ever tell me I can’t do something because I will not only do it, but I’ll do it better than you.” Sana had blurted out her pet peeves since she couldn’t think of anything else to say.

  With his arms wrapped around her, Arrigo laughed and Sana knew he didn't mind her tenacity.

  “You’re a hellcat and I like it that way. So, if you don’t mind putting up with a sometimes crippled, sometimes smartass then we’ll get along just fine.”

  Sana jumped, threw her arms around his neck and let her body hang from him. Arrigo grunted as he fell back against the wall. Still holding on to her, he managed to keep his balance.