Celebrating Love: Saints Protection & Investigations

by Maryann Jordan

  “How does Amy Willis fit into this?” Patrick asked.

  “To be honest, there had been no evidence to tie Amy Willis to any other disappearance, until Johan Serkov approached Bayley.” Grimacing, he spared a glance toward Blaise. “While I still kick myself for not realizing she was at risk, it was her, through Faith’s drawings, that led us to Johan. We did not know he was back in the states.”

  Luke spoke up, saying, “Since we’ve received that information, we’ve tried to see when he came back into the country and if he is back with the same Volkov family.”

  “The Bureau was looking into that when I had to leave to go to Tennessee. Since I basically resigned immediately upon return, I am not privy to what they determined.” Rubbing the back off his neck, he pierced Jack with his gaze and said, “I need to let you know about something and I hope like hell it doesn’t make you regret giving me a position with the Saints.”

  The group was silent as all eyes landed on Nick. “Obviously, you know that one of the main reasons I left the FBI was because of the political posturing from above. But, recently, it has been more than just posturing. My supervisor, at the state level, hated the governor’s use of your organization. He saw it as a threat, instead of cooperation. It didn’t matter to him that your investigative findings were always turned over to the Bureau and they got credit.”

  “Richard Tillman?” Jack asked.

  “So, you’ve heard of him?” Nick countered.

  Chuckling, Jack replied, “Yeah. Actually, it was from the governor. He thinks Tillman’s a blowhard.”

  Laughing as he relaxed back in his seat, Nick agreed, “That he is.” Sobering, he added, “I just wanted you to know that he was gunning for me once I became the liaison between you and the FBI last year. And the more I worked with the Saints, especially when I came back from Alaska, the more he wanted to put the Saints out of the picture. My opinion is that he’s threatened by the work you do and he’s got political aspirations that make him paranoid.” Shrugging, he added, “I just wanted you to be aware that’s why I don’t have the latest intel.”

  “Well, you’ll be glad to hear that Charlie and I have already been working on that,” Luke said. Turning to her, he said, “Take it away, babe.”

  Grinning as she blushed, Charlie flashed Johan’s picture on the screen as she said, “We know Johan was associated with the Volkov family, based in Norfolk. They’re suspected of extortion, money laundering, shipping guns, stolen goods, drugs, and also in human trafficking. While the police and FBI in the area have been able to nab some of their lower members, Gavrill and his top family members and eschelon have managed to keep their necks out of the noose. It took some digging, but we’ve discovered Johan came back to the states about five months ago, under a false passport, but he’s stayed well under the radar. In fact, I can’t find any evidence that he’s been back with Gavrill’s group. He may be working for one of the other Russian mafia families. But with Bayley’s positive identification, we know he’s here.”

  “With his false name, we’re working on tracing his movements and following any money trails we can,” Luke added. “We’re still working on it, but that’s all we’ve got, at the moment, on him.”

  “Tell me about Gavrill’s trafficking business,” Nick requested.

  Bart replied, “I know we worked on the Chinese traffickers last year, but Gavrill’s business is similar. Seems like they will go for teens, runaways, college students. What we don’t know is where they are housed before being shipped overseas. With his family’s shipping business, he has ready access to ship a few at a time with his other shipments. Easily hidden…not easily traced.”

  “So why here in central Virginia? What’s got them here?” Jude asked.

  No one around the table had an answer, as curses were growled under their breaths. Cam leaned forward, his arms on the table, and said, “I got sisters. I got a woman I’d die for. And now I’ve got a daughter. This shit pisses me off more’n about anything.” He pinned Nick with his dark-eyed stare. “I’m all in on this.”

  Jack said, “Agreed.” He moved his gaze around his Saints before landing on Nick. “We’ve got a few other cases to work on, but this takes priority.”

  Nick let his breath out slowly, not realizing he had been holding it. Nodding, he said, “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

  Looking at the clock, Jack said, “I’m going to have you work with Luke and Charlie on the money trail to see if we can figure out where Johan is and who he’s now working for.”

  “You will go with me today,” Chessa said, “after we are finished with lunch.”

  Pinching her lips together, Agnes walked over with the plates, setting them on the table. “I had plans this afternoon.”

  “You will have time after we check on the new girls.”

  Arguing with her mother would get her nowhere, so Agnes acquiesced, while inwardly protesting.

  “I see your face,” Chessa bit out. “You have a problem with my request?”

  Knowing her mother’s request was actually an order, Agnes shook her head. “No, no, it’ll be fine.”

  “Good. There’s no place for insolence in this family.”

  “Yes, Mama,” she replied dutifully, placing the silverware next to the plates.

  Chessa walked over, patting her daughter’s cheek. “You’re a good girl, my Agnes. You’ll make someone a good wife.”

  “What if I want more?” Agnes dared to ask.

  Her mother’s eyebrows rose as she peered at her daughter. “Life will give you more. Babies will come and there will always be family duties.” Agnes remained quiet as Chessa added, “Our place is not to rule the family business…but to serve to help make it profitable.”

  Nodding obediently, Agnes finished the table setting as her brothers and father walked into the room. The gathering became boisterous as they passed platters and talked amongst themselves.

  As the meal came to a close, Milos turned to Lazlo, asking, “Are you making headway? I want that girl who can identify Johan.”

  “Her employee says she still has some kind of guards around her and she’s moved in with a Fed.”

  “I can get to her much easier,” Agnes pronounced, gaining the eyes of all around the table. “I’ve been in the store. I’ve seen how the guards watch every man who walks in…even you, dear brother.”

  At that, Lazlo glared. As he opened his mouth, Agnes rushed on, “But for me, it’s easy. No one suspects a female author just hanging out with a cute man she acts interested in. He’s easy to get information from as well.”

  Milos nodded slowly, cutting his eyes over to his wife. “Chessa, what do you think?”

  “I’m taking her to the girls today to check on them since our shipping of the older ones has been delayed a week.”

  “Yes, but maybe there is work she can do that would be helpful. This shop owner would be more likely to trust another woman.” The table was silent as Milos pondered the situation. Nodding again, he pierced his daughter with a stare. “You keep going to the shop and report to Lazlo. He can work on the employee and see if we can get the Hanssen woman away from her protectors.”

  With that pronouncement, Lazlo preened at having his sister required to report to him, but Agnes still smiled. “Thank you, Papa. I won’t let you down.” Finishing her meal, she planned her next move, determined to be more than the next wife of Gavrill’s organization.

  Agnes was surprised with the cleanliness of the room holding the six women. As she and her mother entered, her gaze swept the room, noting the position of each woman as they stood to the side. The small hotel room held three bunk beds, a small table with only four chairs, and a small connecting bathroom with shower, toilet, and sink.

  She observed as her mother walked down the line, outwardly inspecting each girl carefully, before saying, “There’s been a slight delay in getting upstairs rooms for you so you’ll stay here a few more days.”

  Agnes recognized the flare of hope in the gir
ls’ eyes before her mother squashed it by adding, “But don’t get any ideas. You will soon be making money for us in the oldest profession.”

  Chessa turned and walked to Agnes, announcing, “This is my daughter. She will be handling you at times. Make sure you give her the respect you give me or,” she pinned them with a hard stare, “you will not like the consequences.”

  Agnes watched as the girls lifted their eyes to her before dropping them back to the floor. Stifling a smile, she knew this job would be easy. Following her mother out the door, she let the grin slide over her lips.

  22

  “You know, I don’t really need a babysitter or a chauffeur.”

  Nick looked down at Bayley’s upturned face, her nose scrunched as they pulled to a stop outside Blaise’s house. “As long as you’re still the one who can identify Johan, you’re in danger. So, we’ve got the Alvarez eyes on you, a Saint most of the time, and I’m your private chauffeur.”

  Grinning, she ran a finger down his shirt and purred, “Well, I guess having you as my private chauffeur can have its advantages.”

  He grabbed her finger in his hand, stilling her movements. “Don’t start something we can’t finish right now,” he growled with a matching grin.

  Laughing, she agreed, “Okay, but raincheck?”

  “Oh, yeah. In fact, I’ll collect as soon as we get this dinner with your brother over with.”

  Bayley’s smile faltered but before he had a chance to question her on it, the front door open and an attractive, older blonde stepped out onto the porch waving.

  “Um, I might have forgotten to mention that my parents will be here as well.”

  A band tightened around Nick’s heart for a second, the light from inside the house shining behind Bayley’s mom. He sucked in a deep breath at the idea of the gathering inside.

  “We don’t have to do this,” Bayley rushed. “It’s totally okay if we—”

  “Shhh,” he admonished. “I’ve got this…we’ve got this. Hey, I was going to meet them sometime anyway.” Leaning over he placed a gentle kiss on her lips before adding, “Wait till I come around.”

  Moving around his SUV to her side, he assisted her to the driveway before placing his arm around her shoulders as they made their way toward the front door.

  As soon as their feet landed on the porch, Bayley was engulfed in a hug. “Hey, Mom,” she greeted, her eyes dancing.

  Nick stood to the side for a few seconds, until Bayley’s mother let go of her daughter and grabbed him in an equally tight hug.

  “Oh, Nick, we’ve been dying to meet you. Bayley’s talked my ear off about you this week,” she said, finally stepping back, her smile matching Bayley’s. “I’m Barbara. Barbara Hanssen. Come on in.”

  With his hand on the small of her back, Nick leaned down to Bayley’s ear, “You been talking your mom’s ear off about me?”

  Blushing, Bayley conceded, “Maybe a little.”

  Once inside, Nick’s gaze gratefully met Blaise’s and the two men greeted with a head nod toward each other. Another beautiful woman, long, dark hair pulled away from her face, walked into the room, holding a baby in her arm. She smiled at Nick as she handed the baby to Blaise and moved forward, her hand out to Nick in greeting.

  “Nick, I’m Grace, Blaise’s wife. Welcome to our home. We’re so glad you and Bayley could come this evening.”

  Taking her small hand in his, he thanked her before lifting his gaze to Blaise, whose attention was riveted on the small child in his arms. Bayley bounded over to her brother, cooing while patting the baby’s back.

  A man sitting on the sofa stood and walked toward Nick, extending his hand as well. Tall, muscular, with just a slight bulge around his middle, he appeared to be an older version of Blaise, with his light blond hair slightly grey around the temples. “Good to meet you. I’m Bjorn Hanssen, Bayley’s dad.”

  “Sir, nice to meet you too,” Nick replied, the sense of being overwhelmed receding as the warmth of the gathering slid over him. He quickly noted the Nordic heritage between the four Hanssens and, seeing Bayley, now with her arms full of the baby, the thought of their child flitted through his mind. Mentally stumbling at the image, he focused on her as she walked toward him.

  “And this is baby Ben,” Bayley whispered as the child’s face scrunched before settling back to slumber.

  Nick, unused to babies, stood awkwardly to her side, looking down at the cherubic face, the boy’s downy hair sticking straight up. His tiny, cupid’s bow mouth puckered before twitching into a small smile. Chuckling, Nick lifted his hand and gently touched Ben’s cheek, eliciting another smile from the baby.

  “Oh, he likes you,” Bayley cooed, turning her face up toward Nick’s, her eyes alight.

  Grace took Ben from Bayley and excused herself so she could place him in his swing. Bayley slid underneath Nick’s shoulder, her hand snaking around his waist.

  “Dinner will be ready in a few minutes,” Barbara announced. “Bayley, will you help me?”

  Nick caught Bayley’s wink before she followed her mother out of the room, leaving him with Blaise and their father. Unused to family gatherings, he stood awkwardly for a moment until the other two men started down the hall, inviting him to come to the family room as well. Near the kitchen, Nick followed them into a large room, warmly paneled, with family pictures covering the walls. A navy sofa, with red throw pillows, sat against one wall, facing a large screen TV. A couple of comfortable chairs in a red, patterned material sat against the back wall.

  A multitude of baby items scattered across the floor, most unidentifiable to Nick, but the clutter screamed family to him. Little Ben was asleep in a contraption sitting on the floor and Nick watched in fascination as Blaise plopped down on the rug next to his son and gently moved the device side to side in a rocking motion.

  Bjorn took the sofa, nodding for Nick to settle in one of the cushioned chairs. He did, noting how his body sunk in the pillows, relishing the comfort it provided. He could hear the women in the kitchen as they talked and laughed in unison, evidence of the relaxed environment. Sighing in content, his attention was snagged as Bjorn spoke.

  “I understand my daughter is in some danger?”

  Blaise, still on the floor, chuckled. “Way to cut to the chase, Dad.”

  Bjorn shook his head, answering, “No reason to beat around the bush.” Shifting his gaze to Nick, he added, “You look, to me, like a man who likes to get down to business.”

  Nodding, Nick agreed. “Yes, sir, I do. I don’t know how much Bayley has told you—”

  “It’s not what my daughter has told me,” Bjorn interjected, “it’s digging through all the extraneous details she adds in, that makes it hard to discern exactly what the hell is going on.”

  Nick battled a grin at the description of Bayley. Clearing his throat, he explained, “She met me one night while I was working…” He suddenly hesitated, unsure what her father knew about his changing career path. “Uh, I was still with the FBI at the time.”

  Bjorn, seeming to catch Nick’s reticence, encouraged, “I understand. I know you’ve just joined the Saints.”

  “Yes, sir. Well, she talked to me that night and was taking a lot of selfies, or rather shots of the nightclub for her research. Unfortunately, someone was there who didn’t want their picture taken.” Seeing Bjorn’s hard expression, he hastened to add, “She was able to identify the person who approached her the next night, but he has not been caught. Between me, the Saints, and another security firm, we’ve got her covered around the clock.”

  “How the hell that girl gets herself in these messes—”

  “Dad! Stop telling stories on me,” Bayley cried from the kitchen.

  Nick, surprised, looked first to Blaise and then to Bjorn, as Bayley continued to mumble from the other room.

  Bjorn, ignoring his daughter, continued, “She had some freaky fan stalking her on Facebook for a while last year, until Blaise set him straight. Then there was the model she used on
the front of a book cover and damned if that son of a bitch didn’t start sending her flowers and shit, wanting to have a relationship with her.”

  Blaise, still rocking his son, looked up and added, “Don’t forget about that elderly neighbor she had that left notes about how he was now on Viagra so she and he could date.”

  Nick’s eyes widened but before he responded, Bayley rushed into the room, a dishtowel draped over her shoulder. Planting her hands on her hips, she glared at her father and brother. “Stop right now,” she demanded. “You’re going to have Nick thinking there’s something wrong with me!”

  Unable to contain his mirth, Nick threw his head back in laughter, then “umphed” as she plopped down in his lap. Wrapping his arms around her waist, his gaze landed on her bright eyes as she leaned in close, her hands clasping around his neck.

  “Don’t believe them. Those were isolated incidents that were nothing more than an inconvenience.”

  “Hell, girl, you end up in the strangest situations,” Bjorn continued, before clamping his mouth shut as Barbara walked into the room shooting him a warning look. “Fine,” he mumbled. Looking back at Nick, he said, “Just tell me that you and Blaise have got her.”

  “Sir, I promise,” Nick vowed. “I would protect her with my life.”

  The others smiled in response to his declaration but Bayley sobered, hoping the words would not come true.

  Grigory walked into the opulent room noting his brother’s face. “What’s wrong with you?”

  Lazlo, leaning back in a dark, burgundy, leather chair, a cut glass tumbler in his hand, grimaced. With a quick shake of his head, he bit out, “Nothing. Leave it.” The quiet of the evening penetrated his grim thoughts and he looked over, where Grigory had sat in a matching chair opposite of him, staring. Shooting a glance toward the door, he asked, “Where’re Mama and Papa?”

  “Upstairs.”

  Nodding, Lazlo, said, “It’s that girl.” Seeing Grigory’s unspoken question written on his face, he added, “That bookstore girl.”