Sacrifice Love: Saints Protection & Investigations

by Maryann Jordan

  Chad sat silently, his heart in his throat as his eyes poured over the woman lying on the table and his daughter waving from the monitor. My daughter…yeah, Adam’s and my daughter. He stood, his large body towering over Dani, as he touched his lips to her forehead. “You’re my world, you know,” he whispered. “Both of you…my whole, fuckin’ world.”

  Her smile widened as his proclamation washed over her, filling the empty corners of her being. Lifting her fingers, tracing his face from his hairline down to his jaw, she smiled. The only blip on her happiness was the thought of Adam having had contact with terrorists. Looking back to her daughter on the monitor, she thought, Oh baby. How will I ever explain this to you?

  “I can tell what you’re thinking,” Chad said, drawing her eyes back to his. “It’ll be okay, babe. We’ll find out what was going on and then we’ll decide together what to tell our daughter when the time is right. So don’t worry about it now…just concentrate on her and us.”

  As the sonographer wiped the gel off Dani’s stomach and assisted her to sit, Chad kissed the top of her head and said, “Come on, little mama. Let’s get you and baby girl fed.”

  Dani’s eyes danced as she moved off the table. “Oh, good. I’m starved!”

  *

  Driving home in the truck, she moved over the bench seat and placed her hand on his thick thigh. As they got closer to his house, she silently began moving her hand toward his crotch.

  “Dani,” he growled, his rough voice sending a jolt of need straight to her core. “I’m losing my concentration.”

  “You’re on your street,” she pouted. “I’ve been patient the whole way home and I hardly think you’ll wreck turning into your driveway.”

  “Babe, with your hand on my cock, I’m liable to run straight through my garage door.”

  Giggling, she moved her hand back but found it captured in his much larger one. He linked his fingers with hers and brought them to his lips. The warmth of his touch inflamed her more, but she knew they would soon be inside and able to quench their thirst.

  Setting the alarm after getting home, Chad gave Dani a nudge toward the stairs. “Go on up and I’ll be up as soon as I check the house.”

  Exhausted, she nodded and walked upstairs into the master bathroom. Stepping into the shower, she let the warm water pound her aching back.

  “Babe, I’m coming in!” Chad shouted, knowing her propensity for startling and not wanting to frighten her.

  Laughing, she said, “Did you think I’d jump out of my skin?”

  Stepping into the shower with her, he grinned, “It wouldn’t be the first time.” His eyes roamed over her curves, loving each and every one. Noticing the water aimed at her lower back, he grew concerned. “Your back hurting?”

  Dani stood, entranced with the male specimen standing in front of her. Michelangelo could not have carved a more perfect embodiment of the male form. Tall, broad shouldered, defined chest and tight, washboard abs. A narrow waist that led to his strong hips and tree trunk legs. His arms reached toward her, their muscles speaking of their power. She loved everything about him, finding not one inch undesirable. He could be standing on the bow of a pirate ship, on horseback leading the Roman armies, wearing a kilt deep in the Scottish Highlands. He was every romance cover all rolled into one…and mine. My very own gentle giant.

  His arms moved to her shoulders as he leaned down to peer deeply into her eyes. “Babe, are you okay?”

  “Huh? What?” she stammered, blushing. “Oh, yeah, I’m fine. Just a little backache.”

  He pulled her front to his as his arms moved down to her lower back. Still allowing the warm water to hit her muscles, he pressed his hands expertly on her pain, rubbing and massaging.

  Relaxing against him, she rested her cheek against his chest as her arms wrapped around his waist. Moving one up, she felt the hard muscles of his back quiver under her touch. The other hand dropped to his ass and she realized that as she had categorized his delectable body traits, she had missed his ass. How could I have forgotten his exquisite ass? Giving it a squeeze, she suddenly sensed a rumble deep in his chest against her face.

  “Babe,” he growled. “You gotta stop that, or I’m gonna to want to do more than you need right now.”

  His fingers had her lower back relaxed and she leaned back to look into his face. “I think I know exactly what I need right now,” she purred, moving both hands to squeeze his ass, feeling his erection now pressing against her stomach. Just then, the baby kicked and Chad jumped back.

  “Jesus, little girl can kick.” Chuckling, while rubbing his hand over his face, he said, “And how weird was that to have her kick me right in the balls.”

  Sliding her wet hand around to his front, Dani grasped his swollen cock and said, “Guess we’d better get busy to make sure she didn’t do any permanent damage.”

  “Babe, you know what you’re doing?” he rumbled again, cocking one eyebrow.

  “Oh, I know exactly what I’m doing. The question is, what are you going to do about it?” she teased.

  Grinning, he grabbed the body wash and squirted it on his hands, rubbing them together to create scented suds. He started at her shoulders and massaged the bubbles into her skin before sliding them down to her full breasts. Her fingers grasped his arms for support as her knees grew weak at the sensations. Paying equal attention to each breast, he then gently tweaked each nipple. Throwing her head back, she moaned in delight.

  He continued her shower massage as he washed her round stomach, laughing as he felt the baby kick once more. “Turn around, little mama,” he ordered gently. They moved so that the spray hit him and her back was now presented. Running his soapy hands over her shoulders, he worked out the kinks before moving them to her lower back where he paid special attention.

  Boneless, Dani groaned with pleasure. “Honey, I need to take care of you. If you keep this up, I’ll just be a relaxed puddle on the floor.”

  “This isn’t about me, babe. This is all for you.”

  “Bu—”

  “Uh uh,” he interrupted. “Believe me, taking care of you will take care of me.” With that, he flipped the water off and reached for a towel. Drying her off carefully, then quickly moving the towel over his body, he carried her bride-style into the bedroom.

  “What have you got in mind, big boy?” she whispered, nibbling on his earlobe.

  “Grrrrrrh,” he groaned, her lips on his ear zipping right to his cock. He bent, laying her on the bed, sliding in next to her. Leaning on his arm, he trailed his hand down her body from her breasts to her mound and back again. Agonizingly slow, as though he had all the time in the world. His cock jumped at the tortuous pace, but he willed it to wait.

  The warm shower, combined with his massaging hands, had Dani relaxed and pliant. As he teased her nipples, the electricity pulsated to her core. He kissed her shoulder, then continued placing wet kisses on her skin toward her breast before pulling her nipple deeply into his mouth. Sucking hard, he swirled his tongue around the taut bud, elongating it as he grazed his teeth over the sensitive flesh.

  Sliding his finger into her folds, he felt her arousal. “Babe, you’re wet for me. So fuckin’ responsive. It’s as though all we have to do is think about sex and you’re ready to go.”

  She cupped his face and said, “I know you think this is just the pregnancy hormones, but I’ve never been like this. Never.”

  He held her gaze, understanding the gift she was giving him. Smiling he moved his mouth back to hers, searing her with his talented tongue.

  Moving down her body, he slid between her legs, the scent of her sex intoxicating. He lapped first before plunging his tongue inside. With one hand splayed over her stomach, the other slipped under her ass, lifting it for easier access. He had read about pregnancy hormones, but was still surprised at the evidence of her need.

  She reached down, tangling her hands in his hair as she watched him feast intimately on her womanhood. Moaning, she raced toward the precip
ice, lost in her desire.

  Nipping on her clit and sucking hard, he felt her hips jerk as her orgasm rushed over her. Lapping the juices, he moved up her body, kissing his way from her mound to each breast, to the wildly pulsing point at the base of her neck.

  She pleaded, “Now. Please, I need you now.”

  Rolling her body over so that her back was tucked into his front, he lifted her leg as his cock stood at attention at her entrance. He slowly pressed his cock into her slick channel an inch at a time until he was fully seated, holding his head up so he could watch her gaze the entire time. Seeing the gradual curve of her lips forming a smile took his breath away.

  “I’m yours, Chad. Always and forever,” Dani whispered into the night.

  With that promise ringing in his ears, he pulled back out and immediately plunged in again, this time harder and faster. Her inner walls grabbed him back in every time he moved out, as though her body needed the contact. Her breasts bounced with each thrust and he kept one hand firmly on her waist, his thumb caressing her stomach. She lifted her leg, opening herself up more to him, allowing him to plunge deeper and deeper.

  His balls tightened and knew he was close. She recognized it also, feeling his cock grow even thicker than imaginable. Sliding his hand down from her waist to her clit, he tweaked the swollen bud bringing the desired result. Her pussy grabbed his shaft, squeezing it in a rhythm as she cried out his name. With a few more thrusts he emptied himself into her, his muscles corded in strain as he felt the orgasm down to his toes.

  Once again boneless, first from the massaging shower and now by two orgasms, Dani felt his arms surround her, enveloping her in his large body. For several minutes they lay, legs tangled in the sheets and each other, the coolness of the night slowly penetrating their warm bodies.

  With her head on his upper arm while that hand circled around her chest, she felt his other hand come over her middle, his fingers splaying over her stomach. Just then, baby girl woke up, giving another hard kick before moving around as though stretching.

  “Oh fuck, babe,” he said, surprise in his voice. “Did you feel that?”

  Laughing, she replied, “Uh, yeah. It happened inside of me, so believe me, I felt it!”

  “Does it hurt?”

  “No,” she said, softly, her hand resting on his. “It feels like…life.”

  Kissing her neck, he whispered, “I love you, Dani. And this baby girl.”

  Closing her eyes tightly to keep the stinging tears from sliding out, she smiled. Swallowing hard, she said, “I’m so lucky. So lucky.”

  As his now flaccid cock slid out of her body, she twisted in his arms so that she was facing him, cupping his strong jaw with her fingers. Peering deeply into his eyes, her chin quivering, she said, “Months ago, I thought everything in my life was gone. Lost. My husband and friend. You. My job. My home. But more than that…my security, faith, self-confidence, happiness. When Adam died, I felt as though I lost everything. But now…here with you…where I always wanted to be…I’m found.”

  He watched as a tear slid down her cheek to land on the pillow and he leaned in, kissing her lips. “Life could have been so different if I hadn’t waited too long to tell you how I felt. I think of that every day, Dani. Every fuckin’ day.”

  She shushed him with her fingers over his mouth, offering a small smile. “Life is choices, Chad. We make them, figure out what was good or not so good. Then we make more.”

  “Yes, but if Adam had not died, we wouldn’t be here right now.”

  She bit her bottom lip as she pondered his words. “There’s no way of knowing where we’d be, honey. We have no idea what would have happened…but we’re here right now. And that’s all I can think about.”

  Smiling, he tucked her silky, auburn hair behind her ear and leaned forward, kissing her lightly. “You’re right. Life goes on, life changes. But however it had to happen, we’re here. We’re having a baby. Starting a family. Moving forward. Together.”

  Pulling the sheets over their bodies, he tucked her in tightly to his side. “Sleep, little mama,” he ordered gently as he listened to her breathing slow.

  She’s going to be my wife. She’s truly, irrevocably mine. Mine to love. Mine to protect. His hand moved down her body, resting on her stomach, fingers splaying out. And so are you, little one.

  Chapter 27

  “What have you got?” Jack asked Luke as he met him in the command center.

  Luke looked up, his face showing his surprise. “You’re not going to believe it, but I’ve got nothing on Jahfar’s computers that indicate he’s had any contact with any of our known terrorists other than two with Fazan. Not his work…nor his home computers. And neither one of those emails have anything incriminating in them. I ran them through decoding programs…nothing.”

  “So the only thing the FBI’s got is that his name was mentioned with Fazan’s and he’s had a couple of emails.”

  “Yep. So whatever he’s doing, he’s hiding it well.”

  “The connection’s too much to ignore…Jahfar having any communication Fazan, a known associate of a terrorist. And Jahfar works in an ammunition plant.”

  Nodding, Jack poured some of Luke’s high-octane coffee in his cup and said, “Get whatever you’ve got to Mitch.”

  Luke leaned back in his chair and said, “You think we’re getting this all wrong?”

  Blaise, turning the corner at the bottom of the stairs, stepped into the room hearing Luke’s comment. “Getting what all wrong?”

  Shaking his head, Luke said, “I don’t know, but the puzzle pieces aren’t fitting together at all. That usually means we are missing a piece.”

  “Or something is staring us in the face and we just haven’t figured it out yet.”

  The other Saints trickled in and they meticulously reviewed the intel again, moving the players around on the large board on the wall. Jahfar. Fazan. Muhammad. Abdul. Marsden Energy Systems. Adam.

  As Chad stared at the board, it was the last two that caused his heart to pound. Too many unknowns…too fuckin’ close to Dani.

  *

  Aaron and Cybil sat in Dani’s office, discussing the new project. “Are you going to be able to finish before you go on maternity leave?”

  Dani looked up, seeing Aaron smiling in his teasing way. “Yes, boss. I promise to have all my homework done.”

  The trio laughed as they continued to work.

  “I have to admit I’m envious, Dani,” Cybil said. “I know you suffered tragedy before you came to us, but now you have your baby to look forward to and a man who wants to love your baby as much as if he was his own.”

  Smiling, she admitted, “He’s really good for me.” Staring at Cybil, she said, “But what about you and Ethan?”

  “Oh, we’re fine…just no wedding bells yet.”

  Dani noted Cybil sounded wistful and cast a glance to Aaron, but his attention was at her door. Looking up, she noticed Jahfar standing there. He is so sneaky! “Can I help you?” she asked, trying to keep the snarkiness out of her voice.

  “I was just wondering if you had any information on the latest detonators. I am working on my report, and could use any insight you have.”

  “When we’re finished here, I’ll come see you.”

  Nodding, he bowed his head in a conciliatory motion as he left her office, his heels sounding his retreat on the tile floor. She looked back at Aaron and Cybil, seeing both of them staring at her strangely. “Um…what is it?”

  “You just seem out of sorts when talking to Jahfar,” Cybil said.

  “No, no, um…I just hated being interrupted.” Forcing a smile back on her face, she was determined to keep her suspicions to herself. Cybil accepted her explanation but she felt Aaron’s gaze stay on her.

  Before they were able to continue, Ethan popped in, asking to speak to Aaron, who excused himself. The two men headed down the hall as well.

  Cybil huffed, “See what I mean? Ever since Ethan became Head of Production Security
he barely has time for me…and certainly not at work.”

  “I think he’s just protecting his professionalism. His promotion is really important and I’m sure he doesn’t want it to look like he only got the job because he’s dating the company owner’s daughter and Vice President.”

  “You think?” Cybil asked, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Well, thank your lucky stars that you and your man don’t work together. Workplace romances can be tricky.”

  With that, Cybil left as well, leaving Dani reminiscing about when she, Adam, and Chad had all worked at the ATF. What if I had worked in the same field office as those two? Sighing heavily, she wondered how different her life would have been. Would Chad have approached me sooner? Shaking herself, she realized it was pointless to wonder how the past could be different. Take your lot in life and make sure it’s the best it can be, her grandmother used to say.

  Standing, she headed to Jahfar’s office to find out what he needed. Knocking on the doorframe, she entered as he motioned.

  “I am so sorry to bother you, but I am working on the latest report for triacetone triperoxide and wanted your input. You had some experience with this when you were with the ATF, I believe.”

  “Why are you looking at it?” she asked, a burning sensation beginning in the pit of her stomach, as she recognized the material.

  “I think its potential is unlimited,” Jahfar replied, his eyes lifting to hers.

  Her voice halting, she continued holding his gaze as she said, “It’s often used in terrorist attacks. Easy to create in rough form, the destruction from such a small amount makes it worthy to those who wish to do ill.”

  “But think of the potential for the military?” he insisted.

  Pressing her lips tightly together, she just nodded, afraid to speak. Yes, but whose military? “I did have some experience with it when with the ATF, but I’ll have to look to see if I can find it.”

  “There is always someone who will use something for ill, Danielle. But you may be surprised to know who the enemies are.” His words, now filled with innuendoes, slithered over her.