The long awaited vibration of her phone startled her, causing her to jump. Connecting quickly, she said, “What’s going on?”
“Where are you?” Chad asked.
“Inside the store where you told me to be.”
“No, babe, I mean where are you in the store?”
“I’m near the front, where the lawn equipment is. I’m at the deck chairs and umbrellas. Can I come out now?”
“Stay,” he barked, before disconnecting.
Staring at the phone, her eyes widened in frustration. Stay? Did he just tell me to stay? I can’t belie—
“Babe.” Chad’s voice reached her and she whirled to see him standing there. One look at his concerned face and all irritation fell away. Rushing the three steps it took to reach his arms, she flung herself into his embrace.
“What’s going on? I hated being in here and not being able to tell what was happening. What did Jude see—”
“Shhh,” he gently admonished. “Just let me hold you for a second.”
At those words, she melted into his arms, her legs fighting to hold her up. His arms tightened around her middle protectively…and possessively, feeling her pregnant stomach pressing into his.
“Okay, baby, let’s get out of here.” He started to lead her out, but she jerked back, grabbing two shopping bags from one of the display deck tables.
“Wait, these are mine.” Seeing the look on his face, she said, “I told the girls I was bringing my potato salad, so when I first got in here, I ran to buy what I needed and then ran back over to the door to wait.”
Laughing, Chad said, “That’s my girl. Smart, brave, and always thinking ahead, even in dire circumstances.”
They reached the outside, making their way over to her car, seeing Jude and Bart standing next to it. Both men appeared almost identical as they stood with their blond hair, arms crossed over their muscular chests, legs apart, and reflector sunglasses on making it impossible to see their eyes. But if their matching scowls were anything to go by, their moods were as identical as their stances.
Dani approached with Chad’s arm still protectively around her. “What’s going on?”
Not answering her, Bart looked at Chad and said, “Jack wants us at his place. Jude’ll drive her car.”
“Uh, hello? I’m here,” she said, waving her hand in front of their faces, surprised that the men were ignoring her.
“Babe,” came Chad’s soft reply, carrying more of a command than an endearment.
Jerking her head up to look into his face, she opened her mouth to retort, when she felt his arm squeeze her shoulders slightly. Pressing her lips together, she handed her keys to Jude and then turned with Chad as he directed her to his truck. Climbing inside, she counted to ten as he rounded the front and got in the driver’s seat.
Before she could speak, he immediately said, “I know you’re pissed, babe, but the middle of a parking lot with people around was not the time to go into what all happened.”
Sucking in a deep breath, she nodded. “You’re right. I’m just wound up tight…I…oh, hell, I’m furious at everyone right now. I’m sorry.”
“Understandable. Okay, here’s what happened after you went inside the store. Jude had you in his sights and parked where he had a clear view of your vehicle. By the time the black car came around again, you had made it inside. The license tags on both the front and back were indistinguishable as you said. He watched as a man got out of the passenger side and walked toward your car. Jude got photos of him but wanted to make sure that no device was being planted on it. So he got out and began wandering close to your car as though he had come out of the store and was looking for his own.”
“Genius,” Dani admitted. “What happened then?”
“As soon as Jude was approaching the car next to yours, the man got back in the black car quickly and they took off.”
“So what now?”
“He sent the parts of the license number that he could ascertain and the pictures to Luke. He’ll process them and send them to Mitch at the FBI.”
Dani leaned back, resting her head against the leather seat. Chad reached over and took her cold hand in his, linking their fingers together.
“You did good, baby. I know you were with the ATF and you can handle situations, but it’s different when it happens to yourself.”
Still leaning against the headrest, she rolled her head to the side to face him and gifted him with a small smile. “I was more angry than scared.”
Chuckling, he said, “I think I could tell that.”
“So, I guess the picnic is off?”
“No way! We’re still heading to Jack’s. The Saints will have a quick meeting, but then Jack’s got steaks to grill and good food to eat.”
“I’m really glad,” she said. “First of all, I would hate for any drama going on with me to interrupt everyone’s pleasure.”
“And what’s the second reason?”
“Um…Bethany’s cobbler, Angel’s cupcakes, and my world-famous potato salad!”
“Hell yeah!” Chad agreed as they turned into Jack’s drive.
*
Hours later, after the sun had presented the gathering with an exquisite sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains, the food consumed, and the desserts now decimated, the group settled in chairs around a fire pit on the compound.
Dani was pleased her earlier incident had not marred the event, and even relaxed as she leaned back against Chad. Once they had arrived, the women swooped in, making sure she was all right, before she met with the Saints to explain exactly what happened. Then she jumped in to prepare her potato salad and hung around the kitchen talking as the Saints finished their impromptu meeting. It might seem sexist, she thought of the idea of the men meeting while she was in the kitchen, but she had to admit she felt safe.
Now the dark of night was chased away with torches lit on the parameter of the huge deck, as well as the flames casting dancing light over their faces.
Feeling a little shoulder squeeze, she turned to look at Chad expectantly. Seeing the concern on his face, she smiled. “I’m fine,” she assured. “But I’d really like to understand what’s going on.”
Jack, overhearing, said, “Right now, Dani, we don’t have any more than what you already know. I expect our FBI contact to get back with us tomorrow with an ID of the man who was out of his car and looking at yours.”
She nodded, grateful for the explanation, and burrowed deeper in Chad’s embrace.
“You okay, babe?” he asked.
Grinning, she replied, “I’ve got great food in my belly, am surrounded by friends, and snuggling with you…what could be better?”
The chuckles around the deck let her know the others agreed.
*
The next morning dawned bright as Dani padded her way to the kitchen, following tantalizing smells. Hearing noises from the room, she turned the corner to see Chad standing at the stove. Bare chested with jeans hung low on his hips, the view made her mouth water. Then she glanced down to the pan and realized he had bacon sizzling and fluffy scrambled eggs and her stomach growled loudly. Now she was not sure which made her more hungry.
Turning with the spatula in his hand, Chad grinned. “Sounds like baby girl is hungry this morning.”
Patting her stomach, Dani returned his smile, saying, “She’s starving.”
“Good,” he said, plating the food and setting it on the table. “Come sit down and I’ll get you a glass of milk.”
An hour later, as she walked from the bedroom into the living room, her hair still wet from the shower, she heard the sound of trucks pulling into the driveway. Her face scrunched in confusion as she looked over at Chad. “Were you expecting company?”
He jumped up, blushing. “I have a surprise, babe. I hope it’s a good one, but if you don’t like it then I can tell everyone to leave.”
“Well, you’d better tell me before our friends start pounding on the door,” she said, peeking out the front window and
observing several of the Saints and their women.
Stalking over, Chad said, “The group asked what they could do to help us and I thought maybe you’d like them to help create a nursery out of the spare bedroom.”
Her gaze jumped to his face, seeing his hesitant expression. “Oh, Chad! That would be wonderful…but I haven’t ordered anything yet.”
A huge grin replaced his look of uncertainty and he replied, “No worries. The guys are going to help move the old furniture in there to either the Re-Sale store or into the storage space in the back of the garage. A couple of the women wanted to clean the room to have it ready to paint.” He hesitated once more as he continued. “Uh…and I saw the crib you had marked on your wish list and well…I…uh…sort of went ahead and bought it.”
Dani’s eyebrows raised as her heart leapt and her green eyes sparkled with glee. Before she had a chance to speak, a knock on the door interrupted.
“Babe, is this okay?” Chad asked, his hands on her shoulders. Peering into her eyes, he vowed, “If not, just say the word and I’ll have everyone leave.”
“No, no, this is perfect!” she effused. “I can’t believe you got the crib I wanted!” Standing on her tiptoes, she gave him a quick kiss before turning to rush to the front door. Opening it, she grinned as she welcomed their friends inside.
By lunchtime, Bart, Jack, Jude, and Monty had easily moved the excess furniture out of the room across from the master bedroom, while Cam and Chad tackled assembling the new crib.
Faith, Bethany, and Angel had scrubbed the room clean while Sabrina sat with Dani, poring over paint color swatches. Miriam prepared sandwiches in the kitchen and the group moved to Chad’s back patio to enjoy lunch. The sun was high in the sky, but with the mature trees in his yard, the group was lounging comfortably in the shade.
That evening, while Chad checked the doors, Dani stepped inside the room, now designated as the nursery. With her hand on her stomach, she looked around. The spotless space held the beautiful crib and matching dresser as well as her beloved rocking chair. She and Sabrina had chosen the colors for the nursery and as a baby gift, Sabrina was having someone from her interior design company come to paint and decorate, as well as reupholster the chair.
Lost in pleasant thoughts, she jumped as Chad’s arms encircled her. “Is the room beginning to look the way you envisioned?” he asked.
“Absolutely,” she assured. “The crib must have been difficult to assemble.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Well,” she began, leaning her head back against his chest. “I seem to remember hearing some cussing coming from this room earlier when you and Cam were in here.”
Chuckling, he agreed. “Yeah. I thought Cam would be an expert, since he’d already had to take care of their nursery. But damn, that thing,” he said, nodding toward the beautiful crib, “had more parts, nuts and bolts. And I swear, it had fifteen pages of instructions, written in six different languages!”
Laughing, the couple stood for a few more minutes soaking in the realization that this room would be holding a baby. Finally, nuzzling her neck, he murmured against her warm skin, “Happy, Dani?”
Turning in his arms, she reached up to cup his jaw. “With you…and this baby…I have everything I could ever want.”
Leaning down, he captured her lips in a warm kiss, full of promise. “Let’s go to bed,” he said, picking her up and carrying her across the hall. Worshiping her body, he showed her that he felt the same. This woman and this baby are all I need.
Chapter 25
Looking at the sleeping woman in his bed, Chad smiled as the sun peeked through the blinds illuminating the brilliant red highlights in her auburn hair. She appeared to still be deep in sleep, so he slipped out from beneath the warm covers. Pulling on his jeans, he walked to the kitchen to fix a cup of coffee. Walking to his deck, he felt his phone vibrate.
“Yeah, boss?”
“Sorry to call so early…and to fuck up your Saturday,” Jack apologized. “We’ve heard from Mitch and need to have you bring in Dani this morning to go over some things.”
“She’s still sleeping right now. When do you need us in?”
“I haven’t called anyone else yet, so why don’t we make it eleven.”
“Perfect, thanks.” Disconnecting, he sipped his hot coffee. He thought of the events of yesterday with the men following Dani. Sighing deeply, he pulled in the fresh morning air into his lungs, slowly letting it out. We’ve got to get this case figured out…and soon. I want this done so she can peacefully enjoy this pregnancy. And I want the baby safe. Protective emotion for the baby rushed through him, causing him to grab the deck rail for support. Adam, I don’t know what the fuck you were up to, but Dani and the baby are now mine to care for and I’ll be damned before letting anything happen to either of them!
“Hey, sweetie,” came the gentle voice from behind as small arms encircled his waist. “You were so deep in thought, you didn’t even hear me come out.”
Dropping his chin to his chest, he felt her warmth hit his back as she laid her cheek against him. Squeezing her hands on his stomach, he turned and wrapped his arms around her as well, resting his chin now upon her head.
“You sleep good?” he asked.
“Mmmmmm,” was her reply.
Chuckling, he lifted her chin with his fingers so that he could look directly into her face. Seeing clear eyes smiling at him, he leaned down to settle a gentle kiss on her lips.
She looked up, the dreamy expression morphing into a questioning one. “You look like a man who’s talked to his boss this morning. What’s up?”
Laughing, he said, “It’s going to be hard to keep you from finding out about the cases I’m working on, isn’t it?”
“Hey, I was an investigator. Granted, I spent most of my time investigating the explosive devices, but I had enough field time to be able to read people.”
Kissing her forehead, he nodded. “Okay, here’s the deal. Jack wants us to meet at about eleven with the others. Seems our FBI contact has some information for us and you’ll need to be in on some of it.”
“What time is it now?”
“A little after nine. We slept late, but then, after last night’s activities, I’m not surprised.”
Grinning, she said, “Well, I’ve got to shower, but how about I fix a super-duper breakfast for you?”
“Super-duper?” he teased.
“Yeah, and if you liked my world-famous potato salad, you’ll love my super-duper breakfast!”
“Then, by all means, dazzle me, baby!”
Arm in arm, the two walked into the house, enjoying the moment of levity before having to face whatever was coming.
*
Dani sat at the table in Jack’s dining room, surrounded by the other Saints. Her heart pounded but she willed it under control. Watching the screen on the tablet given to her, she saw as Mitch Evans appeared and was introduced.
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Turner—”
“Dani, please.”
“Alright, Dani, and you may call me Mitch. Okay, here’s what we know so far about yesterday. I want to congratulate you on your quick thinking, by the way, but you were a trained agent, so I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you that you did a great job. It’ll be no surprise that the license plate was fake – the number did not register to anyone and the DMV does not have that number in their system. The dark-tinted windows made it impossible to see who was driving, even when we followed it in the traffic light camera system. By the time the police were following, they had gotten the car out of the city and out of our camera range.”
“Why the fuck didn’t the police follow immediately? I called that shit in as soon as I tagged its partial number and description,” groused Jude.
Mitch, his lips tight with irritation, said, “I was pissed about that also. Found out there was a new dispatcher on the job and they did not understand your relationship with the police…nor recognize my authority as an FBI ag
ent. I assure you that won’t be happening again.”
Rubbing his hand over his face, the fatigue showing, Mitch continued, “The good news is that we got a match on the man who stupidly stepped out of the vehicle. The bad news is…their identity.”
This gained the attention of the group, including Dani, who felt her heart pounding wildly again. Chad, recognizing her change in breathing, linked his fingers with hers, giving her a reassuring squeeze while working to tamp down his own rage.
“The man identified was Abdul Nagi, the right-hand man of Muhammad Hakim. Right now, he appears to be the leader of what we consider to be the biggest ISIS cell in Virginia.”
“Can’t you just arrest him?” blurted Dani, indignant that this Muhammad was known yet he wasn’t taken out of commission.
“Sorry, Dani, but right now, we have no proof. He’s a person of interest and we’re on it, I promise. He’s being watched by a joint task force of ATF, CIA, Homeland Security, and FBI. I have contact with them, but I’m not on that task force, so my information is somewhat limited. But I will say, they have been informed of the events of yesterday.”
Dani noticed her irritation was mirrored on the other Saints’ faces, but had to admit that even when she was with the ATF, not every agent knew everything that was going on. Most of the time, the agencies worked on a need-to-know basis…and sometimes the left hand definitely did not know what the right hand was doing.
“Why do I have the feeling there is more bad news?” Monty asked. As Mitch’s friend, he could tell when the agent was not happy about something even when his face appeared professionally impassive.
All eyes jumped back to the screen, their attention once more riveted to Mitch’s face.
Nodding slowly, Mitch added, “Yeah, there’s more.” He pointed to a board behind him, and said, “Here are some of the ones we’re keeping an eye on. Muhammad is at the top, with Abdul. Also in their leadership group is Habib El-Amin and Fazan Darzi. They usually use burner phones and we can’t get a line of who they talk to, but occasionally someone screws up. We have one phone contact that links Fazan Darzi with Jahfar Khouri, who happens to work at Marsden Energy Systems and you—”
Sacrifice Love: Saints Protection & Investigations Page 21