Sacrifice Love: Saints Protection & Investigations

by Maryann Jordan

  Smiling, she pondered for a moment, then pulled out a package of chicken breasts and pasta. “How about chicken parmesan? I’ll go light on the garlic. I find it kills me with indigestion since I’ve been pregnant.”

  Kissing the top of her head, he said, “Sounds great. I’ll shower and be out to help you.”

  Her eyes followed him as he walked out of the room, admiring his body. Giggling as she shook her head, she turned back to the dinner preparations.

  Sitting at the table an hour later, she said hesitantly, “I guess I need to let my parents know where I am.”

  Chad halted his fork halfway to his mouth. “Uh yeah, babe. Is there a problem with that?”

  “I just didn’t want to worry them.”

  “About…?”

  “Everything. My place being searched, Adam’s note, staying here for protection—”

  Interrupting, he asked, “Is that the only reason you’re staying here?”

  She caught the expression on his face, a cross between irritability and vulnerability. Laying her hand on his muscular forearm, she felt the muscles tense underneath her fingers. “No, that’s not the only reason. It’s just that we were going to go slow and then everything crazy happened, and here I am. My parents know we’re together, but not about me being out of my house. They trust me, but …” she leaned back in her chair, “I must look like a complete ditz to someone on the outside. First widow, then pregnant, three moves in as many months…”

  Placing his hand on hers, he replied, “Dani, anyone who knows you, knows you’re not a ditz.” He caught her eye roll and added, “Tell you what. Why don’t we go visit them together? Let them know where we stand. They need to know I’m committed to you…and to the baby.”

  “Really?”

  “Babe, I’d do anything for you. But the trip will be as much for me as for you.” Seeing her look at him, a question in her expression, he said, “I need to talk to them. About me…about who we were and who we are now. They need to hear that from me.”

  Leaning forward, he kissed her lips…softly…with promise.

  Chapter 17

  Oliver Sands, a recruit in Atlanta, was proving to be more difficult to extricate out of his apartment than Robbie Carter had been. Bart, with Jude this time, grew frustrated.

  “We’ve got to figure out how to draw the little shit out of there,” he growled.

  Jude, new to breaking and entering for the Saints, had nonetheless worked in stealth when he had been a SEAL. Looking around, he said, “If we can’t get him out alone, then let’s empty the building.”

  Bart smiled, looking up at the eleven-story apartment building near the campus. The two slipped from the alley into the maintenance area on the first floor. A quick recon told them there were no security cameras. Moving quietly, they made their way to one of the fire alarms. Bart said, “You go up and let me know when you are in place. Make sure he comes out; then you know what to do. I’ll be up as soon as I can.”

  Following Bart’s lead, Jude jogged up the stairs to the fourth floor and alerted Bart. He pulled the alarm, then slipped into the stairwell nearest the alley.

  As the alarm sounded, the rooms began to empty. It appeared most of the residents were in class, but Jude saw Oliver coming out, grumbling while locking his door behind him. As soon as Oliver disappeared down the front staircase, Jude quickly picked his door lock and entered.

  Fuckin’ hell! The room was filled with computer equipment. Absolutely filled. Not knowing how many minutes they would have, Jude immediately contacted Luke and began inserting the thumb drives into as many computers as he could find.

  Bart entered the apartment, looked around, and shook his head. “Holy fuck!”

  Jude barked, “I’ve got the ones on this table and along this wall.” He swung his arm, indicating the direction. Bart immediately began inserting the special thumb drives. Glancing at his watch, he said, “We should have about fifteen minutes before Oliver makes his way back up here.”

  “Is there any way he can tell his machines were hacked?”

  “Nah, Luke’s programs are better than this guy’s.” While the drives did their job, the two men did a quick search of the apartment. Dirty dishes and old pizza boxes piled on the kitchen counter. Bed covers thrown back, sheets in a tangle. And dirty.

  “Jesus, the guy in St. Louis was a helluva lot neater than this dude. Fuck, he might as well do his dating online, ’cause no woman would want to be involved with him.”

  The alarm stopped sounding and Jude groaned. “How close are you man?” he asked Luke, getting him on the phone.

  “I need one more minute, then yank them out,” Luke replied.

  Jude looked at Bart and said, “One more minute.”

  “Fuck!” Bart ran out of the apartment and down the hall. He returned about twenty seconds later, explaining, I barred the stairwell door. Hopefully, he’ll think it’s a locked fire door.”

  At the end of the minute, the two moved stealthily around the room, removing the drives, counting them as they went. Once they were all accounted for, they slipped out of the apartment, locking it behind them. Hearing someone pounding on the front stairwell door, they moved to the one at the back. Within another minute, the two moved out into the alley, undetected.

  *

  Cam and Blaise flew to Dallas at the same time Jude and Bart were in Atlanta. Their mission was Lester Wyant, a new recruit. Cam got off the phone with Bart, hearing about their experience with Oliver’s apartment.

  “Ours will be easier,” Cam commented, relating Bart and Jude’s story. “At least this person goes out.”

  Their recon showed that Lester was not at home. Quickly entering, they noticed the bank of computers on an L-shaped desk, papers neatly stacked, and an apartment that was orderly. It seemed rather more like an office than an apartment.

  The two men went to work, immediately contacting Luke and plugging in the drives. Cam’s suspicions were high and he stalked into the bedroom. In a moment he came back, glaring. “There’s no fucking clothes in the closet, nor anything personal in the bathroom.”

  “Maybe he just rents this place for computer work,” Blaise surmised. Walking to the kitchen, he threw open the refrigerator door, finding it empty. “Fuck, get Luke on the phone. Find out how much time he needs.”

  Cam made the call on their secure line, telling him what they were finding…or rather not finding. “You done?”

  Disconnecting, he began to retrieve the drives, nodding to alert Blaise to do the same. They left the apartment as they found it, leaving the building and walking down the street to hail a cab.

  Eyes followed them from another window in the building. The real owner of the equipment, Charlie, walked down the hall to the door, stepping into the apartment. Looking around carefully, noting everything. Moving over to the bank of computers, Charlie began to unplug everything. Time to get out. That’s okay. Dallas was getting old. Within an hour, Charlie had boxes loaded onto a cart and rolled it to the elevator after one last look around.

  Getting to the outside door, hailing a cab, Charlie managed to pack all the boxes in. Giving the driver an address and cash, eyes watched the skyline fade away.

  And a smile escaped.

  *

  Luke processed the drives from Bart and Jude first. He viewed as line after line of code was searched, hoping somewhere his program would allow them to see where the contacts were located, what they wanted the recruits to do. The emails were encrypted, but Luke was confident his program would be able to ferret out the information.

  After hours of working on the drives from Oliver, he moved to the drives from Lester Wyant’s apartment. His preliminary searches told him that Lester was a false name. Okay, let’s see who you really are Lester…and what the hell the recruiter is asking you to do.

  Nothing. Not one line of code appeared. What the fuck? Luke quickly began checking the drives. Nothing. He refused to panic—work the problem. Thirty minutes later, he threw up his hands
in defeat. Something was wrong.

  His incoming email sounded. Checking, he recognized it was from his mystery programmer.

  Left my last residence. Too many visitors. Had 2 today.

  Luke stared at the cryptic message. His mind, swirling with the problem of Lester Wyant’s computers searches, left little room for focusing on anything else.

  I’m sorry, I don’t understand, he answered.

  In a few in minutes, another message came in. I think they were friends of yours.

  His breath caught in his throat as the realization of their words sunk in. Fuckin’ hell…Lester Wyant is my mystery programmer. And Cam and Blaise were in his apartment? Before he could respond, another message came.

  But no matter where I live, I can keep up with you. If you want, that is.

  Luke replied, Absolutely. I know your name isn’t what it appears.

  Yes, but that is still my secret. Danger lurks all around. Be careful.

  Luke waited, but no more messages came. Leaning back in his chair, he pulled the useless drives out. He was sorry that he had not gone with Cam, just to have been in the apartment of such a computer genius. Getting up, he poured another cup of coffee, then looked back at the information coming in from Oliver Sands using the programming from his mystery helper. I may not know what my friend is doing or where they live now…but at least they’re still helping.

  As he thought about their warning, he was filled with the realization that this person was also in danger. I hope you take your own advice and are careful.

  Pushing them from his mind, he sat back down to work.

  *

  Dani waited nervously outside the doctor’s office, alternating between checking her watch and the parking lot. Hearing a noise, she grinned as Chad’s old truck rumbled down the street. Letting out a huge sigh of relief, she smiled as he alighted from the vehicle and jogged to her. She watched his natural grace—despite his size. His dark hair brushed to the side, clean-shaven jaw, white teeth showing with his huge smile. Her head tilted back as he approached. Not stopping until he was directly in front of her, his arms wide as he enveloped her in his embrace. She rested her ear against his chest, hearing his steady heartbeat.

  “You okay, little mama?” he asked, kissing the top of her head.

  She nodded against his chest, so he lifted her chin with two fingers, wanting to look into her eyes. “Babe?”

  “I’m fine. Really. I was afraid you weren’t going to make it.”

  “Not make it?” he said, with mock indignation. Hugging her tighter, he added, “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. Now, are you ready to find out what we’re having?”

  She heard him use the possessive word we’re and smiled. It seemed right. At first, when she found out she was pregnant and her husband was newly deceased, the idea of being a single mother was daunting. It’s still unnerving, but now…heaving a sigh…it’s nice to share this with someone else. Linking her fingers with his, they walked into the doctor’s office together.

  Twenty minutes later, after the blood pressure check, weigh in, and physical exam, all proving her healthy, they waited impatiently as the sonographer rolled the probe over Dani’s stomach.

  “Measurements are good. Everything looks great,” she reported, her eyes on the monitor. Glancing over at the couple she said, “Well, are you ready to find out what you’re having?”

  Dani sought Chad’s eyes, catching his nervous expression. He nodded, squeezing her hand. She turned back and confirmed, “As ready as we’ll ever be.”

  The sonographer continued to roll the probe around. “Ooh, the little one has their legs open and in a good position, so I’ve got a good shot.”

  Dani felt her hand being squeezed harder—or is that me squeezing? Either way, she felt her heart pounding, wondering if it sounded out in the room instead of the baby’s heartbeat.

  Clicking a few more buttons, the sonograph spit out a strand of pictures. Handing them to Dani, the sonographer smiled and exclaimed, “Okay, here’s some pictures of your little girl.”

  Girl. Girl? Oh, my God, girl? I’m having a little girl! Gasping, she burst into tears as Chad bolted out of his seat.

  He scooped her into his arms, picking her off the table, cradling her in his embrace. “A girl. We’re having a baby girl.” His chest was tight as he thought of what all Adam was missing. Continuing to rock Dani in his arms, celebrating the news with her, he silently vowed, I’ll do you proud, man. I’ll do you proud.

  Later, that evening, after a celebratory meal complete with non-alcoholic sparkling cider and dessert, they drove back to Chad’s house. Walking in, the elation of earlier still at an all-time high, Dani walked to the rocking chair in the living room and sat on it, rubbing her tummy.

  Watching her, Chad followed, kneeling at her feet. “You look good there, little mama.”

  She smiled, saying, “This chair is practically an antique. It’s been reupholstered twice. My grandmother rocked my mom here when she was a baby. Then I was rocked here.” She rubbed her hands along the material on the arms and said, “I can’t believe that I’ll be rocking my baby girl here also.”

  Chad reached out, tucking her hair behind her ear. “You look perfectly natural there, babe.”

  The smile left her face as she appeared lost in thought. He cupped her face and asked, “What’re you thinking?”

  Her eyes searched his and she said, “I need to make a couple of visits. I know you said we’d go to my parents together to talk about where you and I are in our relationship and we can do that this weekend. But, Chad? I’ve got to talk to Adam’s parents as well. I didn’t want to say anything to them earlier about the pregnancy, until I was sure I was going to make it to the second trimester.”

  Nodding, he rubbed her silken cheek. “I know you do, babe. I’d like to go with you for that, as well, unless you think it would be awkward.”

  Her eyes brightened, a burden being lifted from her shoulders. “Oh, no. I think they’d love to see you and know that you’re involved.” Heaving a sigh, she said, “Thank you. It means so much to me.”

  “I’m in this, Dani. I’m in this for the long haul.”

  She cocked her head to the side, holding his gaze.

  “Babe, I’ll be here for her birth. But so much more than that.” Deciding to make sure she understood the extent of his devotion, he continued. “I’ll watch her take her first step and say her first word. I’ll take pictures when she starts school and teach her to ride a bike.” Seeing Dani’s smile, he kept going. “I’ll scrutinize her prom date and, when the time comes, I’ll walk her down the aisle.”

  She leaned forward, clutching his jaw in her hands, pulling him in for a kiss. Without pulling back, she whispered against his lips, “I love you.”

  He immediately took over the kiss, owning her mouth, drinking from her as a thirst-starved man. Tasting her essence, he thrust his tongue inside her warmth.

  Without giving up his mouth, she shifted forward so she could reach the buttons on his shirt. Undoing them as quickly as she could, she pushed the material off his shoulders. He grabbed the bottom of her shirt, pulling it over her head, their mouths separating only long enough for the material to pass between them.

  Chad slid his hands down her sides to her waist, lifting her as he stood. Her hands went to his zipper at the same time his moved to her skirt. Laughing, she pulled away.

  “I can do it faster,” she said, quickly unzipping her skirt and stepping out of it. Lacy topped, thigh stockings ending in her modest, strappy heels, plus a pale pink lacy bra and panty set captured his lust-filled gaze. Her breasts were barely contained in the bra, their luscious mounds pouring over the top.

  Chad’s gaze roamed from the top of her deep auburn hair to her toes peeking out of her shoes. “Damn, girl.” His cock, already raring to play, strained at his zipper, demanding to be free.

  Glancing down at his impressive erection, she lifted her eyebrow saying, “Looks like someone is eage
r.”

  Bending down to undo her shoes, he growled, “No way. Panties and bra off only.” Smiling, she obliged, unfastening her bra and letting it drop to the floor. Shimmying out of her panties, they landed on the floor as well. Shifting her hips toward the back of the sofa, he pressed gently on her upper back.

  Grinning, she bent over the sofa, her hands holding onto the soft cushions on the back. Automatically spreading her legs, she moved her ass back, rubbing it along his crotch, loving the groan from his lips.

  He jerked his jeans and boxers off, then leaned over her body. He massaged her shoulders before sliding his hands down the smooth expanse of skin on her back. Palming her ass cheeks, he chuckled as he heard the sounds coming from her lips. “Now who’s moaning?”

  As his hands then roamed around to her heavy breasts hanging, he tweaked her sensitive nipples. No longer moaning but full out begging, she pleaded for him to take her as she pushed her ass back further.

  Wanting to make sure she was ready, he kept one hand working her nipple and the other sliding through her wet folds. After a minute of blissful torture, she cried out, her body shaking with the ripples of her orgasm. As the quivers subsided, she slumped over the back of the sofa, unsure her legs would support her. “Damn, Chad,” she groaned, her body pliant.

  Chad smoothed his hands along her back as she recovered and grinned when she finally cast a glance over her shoulder at him. “I’m just making sure you’re okay first, babe.” Her smile was his answer.

  He looked at her perfect body, but realized his height was going to make his amorous intentions difficult even with her heels. Grabbing a couple of pillows off the sofa, he tossed them to the floor. “Step up,” he ordered gently and watched as her perfect ass rose to the perfect level. There’s no way a woman can understand what it does to a man to have that gorgeous ass presented to him!

  “Chad,” Dani said. “I need you now! Stop looking and get moving!”

  Laughing, he slid the tip of his cock to her entrance, saying, “I live to serve.”