Surviving Love: Saints Protection & Investigations Read online

  She stopped at the door across the hall from him and offered a slight smile. “Thank you,” she murmured before turning back to her door.

  He watched her enter before walking into his own room. Later, falling into bed, his mind was on the woman across the hall. She was pretty, but compared to the dolled-up or athletic women he usually noticed, there was something vulnerable that called to him. Rolling over, he punched his pillow, willing sleep to come, as he tried to plan for his mission tomorrow. But his sleep was filled with the woman across the hall as they were both chased by demons in his dreams.

  *

  “So, have you met any Alaskan hotties?”

  Rolling her eyes, Kendall held her phone between her ear and shoulder while slipping on her flannel pajama bottoms. After that, she pulled on her thick socks. With her research assistant convinced that the streets of Alaska were teeming with handsome mountain-men, she replied, “I hardly think that a bioterrorism symposium full of scientists and researchers is the place to find one!”

  “But everyone knows that there are more men than women in Alaska. In fact, it ranks as the number one state in the imbalance between the sexes!”

  “Karen, I flew in the day before the symposium, have done nothing but sit in one meeting after another, my head is splitting, and I fly back to Louisiana tomorrow. Just when was I supposed to get out and discover this inequity?”

  Unable to come up with an answer, the phone line was silent for a moment. Finally, Karen prompted, “Well, at least tell me you met someone interesting in the hotel bar! I mean, seriously Kendall, you need to get out more. Life should be an adventure!”

  A flash of the man from the elevator, who was this very moment across the hall, flew through her mind as a smile spread across her face. Tall, broad-shouldered, handsome in a rugged way. Sighing, she responded, “Nope, sorry. No adventures on this trip. Listen, enough about men…or my lack of finding one. I emailed you the notes from the last meeting. Did you get them?”

  “Yes and I’ll start working on them tomorrow.”

  Sitting on the bed, she let out a sigh, thinking of all that she would need to do once back in the lab.

  “I hear that sigh, Kendall. You’re already making lists!”

  “Lists keep me organized—you know that!”

  “Stop worrying about the research. There’ll be plenty of time to get everything done when you get back. You said you had a headache? Are you warm enough? I know you hate the cold.”

  “Yes—I’ve taken some pills for the headache. And I’m trying to get warm. I took a hot bath, I’ve got my socks on, and I’m getting into bed under the thick covers. I’ll be asleep soon.”

  “Okay,” Karen sighed. “It’s too bad though that you didn’t meet some big, macho, Alaskan man at the hotel’s bar.”

  Kendall laughed as she disconnected, her mind drifting to the man across the hall. Curling up, she jerked the covers to her chin, relishing the soft, warm bed. As she relaxed, she tried to keep up with the lists of things she needed to do, but a tall, dark-haired man filled her dreams.

  *

  The two dark-cloaked figures slipped around the large brick building on the edge of the campus of Louisiana State University. Stopping at the corner, hidden by tall bushes, they shifted their gazes around, carefully scanning the area.

  “Do you think the security is still intact or has it been disabled as promised?”

  Shrugging, the second person replied, “Don’t know, but our instructions were to get in and get out quickly, no matter what.”

  Slipping through a window, strategically left unlocked, they padded down a long hall, coming to stairs near the back. The Do Not Enter sign on the door was no hindrance to them, knowing it led to the Biomedical Research Center. Immediately an alarm sounded and the two jolted as they looked at each other.

  “Shit!” one cried as they tripped over each other in their effort to run back down the hall. Diving through the still open window, one landed on the other in the bushes. With furtive glances around, they ran to the nearest building, allowing its deep shadows to hide them as they continued across campus until coming to their van.

  Climbing inside, they sat panting for a few minutes, neither saying anything as they watched police cars race down the main street toward the NCBRT.

  “Was that supposed to happen?”

  Nodding, the one in charge said, “I think so. We weren’t instructed to take anything…just to cause a ruckus.”

  As more sirens filled the night air, one replied, “Looks like we were successful, then.”

  With a grin, the driver started the van and pulled slowly out onto the road in the opposite direction.

  *

  Rising early, Marc showered before throwing his toiletries into his overnight bag. Zipping it closed, he scanned the room as he walked to the door. Once in the hall, he stared at the door opposite his and thought about the woman inside. I hope she feels better. As soon as that crossed his mind, he wondered what it was about her that brought out a sense of protectiveness. Maybe it’s because she looked delicate. But not my type at all! Deciding he needed coffee to get thoughts of her out of his mind, he made his way to the elevators. As the doors closed, he glanced back to her door once more, a strange sense of regret hit him, knowing he would never see her again.

  In the lobby, it was obvious the symposium had ended as many guests crowded around the desk to check out with full luggage carriers and multiple calls for taxis being made. Towering over the others, Marc leaned forward and dropped his room card off at the desk before making his way through the throng. Seeing a coffee kiosk at the side of the lobby, he made his way over, smiling at the harried woman behind the counter.

  “You’re in luck,” she said, returning his smile. “Just got a new pot so it’s fresh.”

  “I appreciate it,” he replied, reaching for the proffered cup. Taking a quick slurp of the hot brew, he closed his eyes, willing the caffeine to kick in quickly. Turning, he scanned the crowd to see if Dr. Kenneth Rhodes was in the lobby, but saw no one he recognized. Especially not the woman from across the hall. Shaking his head, he figured she was still in bed, probably with an eye mask over her face.

  Moving through the crowded lobby once more, he stepped outside and saw the dark windowed SUV. With a wave, it weaved through the taxis and stopped in front of him. A bright-eyed young man was behind the wheel.

  “Mr. Jenkins?”

  Nodding, Marc threw his bag in the back and climbed into the front seat.

  “I’m Henry…Henry Tomlin. But everyone calls me Hank. I’ll be your driver to the airport this morning. How was your night? Did you sleep well? I know you’ve got a long flight today, so…”

  Marc took another sip of coffee as Henry droned on, seemingly willing to talk and not wait for answers. After a moment he noted the silence and glanced to the side, observing the blush traveling over Hank’s face. “Uh…I’m sorry, what did you say?”

  Ducking his head, Hank replied, “No, no, Mr. Jenkins. It’s me…I tend to babble too much when I meet someone. I’ve only been with the agency for a short while and this is the first time I’ve gotten to do anything by myself.”

  Chuckling, Marc tried to think back to when he had been that enthusiastic and recalled when he first began working for the CIA he had felt very similar. “It’s okay, Hank. That kind of enthusiasm is good. Hang on to it during the times when the job gets to be more than you can handle.”

  The rest of the ride to the airport was filled with conversation as Marc listened to Hank talk about Alaska, the local FBI office, and his desire to begin investigating cases. As they pulled up to the security gate on the side of the airport, Hank showed his badge and began driving through. Looking out his window, Marc saw the large airport terminal to the right as Hank made a left and drove down a side road, hangars on either side. In a moment they came to the same large hangar where Marc left his plane the day before.

  Driving inside and waiting until the metal doors slid clos
ed behind them, both men alighted from the SUV. Marc grabbed his bag from the back and moved to the front to shake Hank’s hand, assuming he was leaving.

  “It was nice meeting you, Mr. Jenkins, but I’m staying until you lift off.” Hank’s eyes cut over to the Cessna and he said, “Is there anything I can do to help you get ready before Dr. Rhodes gets here?”

  “No thanks,” Marc replied. “I’ve got my own checks to do.” He turned and walked over to his plane, walking around it carefully, beginning his checks. He looked at the fuselage and empennage, the right and left wings, the right and left wing trailing edges, and the nose. Climbing into the cabin, he carefully completed his pre-flight checks. Moving to the back of the small cabin he saw his duffle bags and made his way over to unzip the closest one, taking stock of what he and Bart had packed.

  Just as he was about to check the second bag he heard a commotion outside and, leaning back, noticed a vehicle entering the hangar. Hank called out, “Dr. Rhodes is here,” and the young agent walked to the back passenger door of a SUV that appeared identical to his. Kevin jumped down from the driver’s seat and was walking around as Hank opened the door and assisted…Who the fuck is that? As a woman alighted and turned around, Marc stared into the face of the woman he met last night in the elevator.

  Her business attire was exchanged for a light blue, turtleneck sweater and slim jeans. Wearing flat shoes, she appeared even shorter than she had in the elevator. She carried a coat in her arms, along with a purse and large tote bag.

  Jumping down from the wing Marc stalked toward the SUV, catching the exact second the woman looked up and recognized him. Her head cocked to the side in question but, before she could speak, Marc got there first.

  He stopped directly in front of her, forcing her to lean her head way back to keep her eyes on his. “Who the hell are you and where is Dr. Rhodes?” Marc bit out, noting her wide-eyed expression.

  “Um…” she glanced to the side, her eyes searching Kevin’s for a second, before turning back to Marc. “I’m Dr. Rhodes.”

  “You are definitely not Dr. Kenneth Rhodes!” Marc growled.

  She straightened her back as she looked him directly in the eyes. “No…Dr. Kenneth Rhodes is my father. I’m Dr. Kendall Rhodes.”

  Chapter 4

  Kendall stared up into the face of the very handsome—and exceedingly angry—man who was glaring down at her. Swallowing audibly, she turned to look at the FBI agent who had driven her to the airport to see what his reaction was.

  Marc swung his gaze from the wide-eyed, stunned-silent woman in front of him to Kevin, whose hands shot up in front of him in a placating stance. “My mission was to escort Dr. Kenneth Rhodes back to D.C. Who made the switch and why weren’t the Saints informed?”

  “For absolute secrecy, we had to make a change,” Kevin said. “It was decided at the last minute that Kenneth Rhodes would go back to Louisiana early this morning and we would have you take Kendall to D.C.”

  Kendall watched in part fascination and part fear as the pilot turned sideways, to face the agent. As large as he was, becoming enraged sent power pouring off him. All male…completely male. As fast as the thought flew through her mind, she forced it out. Ugh! He might be totally unlike the academics I’m around all day, but someone like him would never be my type…and I would never be his. Irritated that that thought bothered her, she lifted her hand to her head, rubbing her aching brow. The headache from the night before had abated but was now threatening to reappear.

  Marc dropped his gaze back to Kendall, observing her slight motion and pinched brow. As concern overtook his anger he softened his voice as he asked, “Do you still have a headache?”

  Feeling the sudden change in his demeanor, she lifted her eyes and lied, “I’m fine.”

  Placing his hand on her shoulder, he turned her gently toward the office at the side of the hangar, moving next to her as he guided her along. Looking over his shoulder, he pierced Kevin with a glare and jerked his head, indicating the agent needed to follow. Entering the office, Marc ushered Kendall to a chair before moving to a water cooler. Allowing herself to be shepherded, she watched as he filled a paper cup with water before he walked back over to kneel in front of her. “Here,” he said, his voice soft and low. “Take your pills.”

  Not sure what else to do—and besides, they would help—Kendall obeyed, her eyes still jumping between the other occupants in the room. She missed his comforting touch when he stood, letting go of her arm.

  Marc turned back around to face the agents in the room. “Agent Pierce. My company was hired to fly Kenneth Rhodes. All the information given to us by the FBI supported this. I want to know why there was a change and why my company wasn’t informed.”

  Kevin, his hands still up in defense, replied, “Calm down and I’ll tell you. We got word that there was a breach at the NCBRT in Louisiana. Department of Homeland Security still wants to talk to him but he flew back in the middle of the night. In his place, this Dr. Rhodes is the one DHS wants in D.C. pronto.”

  Marc swung his eyes back down to the pale woman still sitting in the chair, and rubbed his hand over his face. She looked up at him, uncertainty written plainly on hers. Looking back, he said, “Agent Pierce, I have a Cessna Skylane. It’s a great aircraft but it isn’t built for luxury. Dr. Rhodes is obviously not well and this is a long two days of travel. Wouldn’t she be more comfortable with other accommodations?”

  “We need to get her out of here and do it in the most unobtrusive way. With the breach of security in Louisiana, we snuck her out of the hotel this morning.”

  With his hands on his hips Marc opened his mouth to protest, when a soft touch on his arm halted his words. Jerking his gaze back to her, he saw strength in the determined set of her jaw, but was still conflicted with how to make the long trip more comfortable for her.

  “I’ll be fine,” Kendall said, her hand quickly snatching back from the warmth of his arm. Standing, she plastered a small smile on her face. “I’m not used to luxury and will be fine, I’m sure.”

  Marc dropped his chin to his chest, a bad feeling in his gut about the change of plans. Sighing heavily, he pinned Kevin with his glare and said, “I’ve got to talk to my boss and to the agent that gave us this mission. Then, and only then, will I let you know if we will agree to the change in plans.” Stalking out of the office, he left Kevin and Kendall behind.

  *

  “I’m pissed as hell, Jack—fucking FBI made a decision last night and didn’t inform us. Does Nick know anything about this situation?”

  “Hang on, Marc, Luke’s getting hold of Nick right now.”

  Marc glanced back over his shoulder, able to see into the office through the large plate-glass window. Kendall was again sitting in the chair, her eyes closed as she leaned her head back against the wall. Fucking hell! Taking a sick woman, unused to traveling in a small plane, on a long-ass flight—

  “Marc, I’ve got Nick on the line. He’s pissed as well. No one told him about the change. In fact, he didn’t even know about Dr. Rhodes’ daughter. But he’s just verified that Kenneth Rhodes was flown out by the FBI to Louisiana in the middle of the night. His boss says the contract has now changed to escorting Kendall Rhodes.”

  “Jack, I’m in a goddamn Cessna, not a private jet. She’s not well and this could be disastrous.”

  “Marc, do what you’ve got to do. The mission is the same, with the exception of the passenger, which I agree, is a huge fucking change. But I’ll inform Nick that she’s not well and you’ll take longer to get to D.C. I’d advise taking a couple of breaks…more than what you had planned.”

  “Got it,” Marc replied, thinking that the increased number of landings and takeoffs would make her feel worse. “I just wanted the change confirmed. We’ll leave in less than thirty minutes and I’ll be in contact to let you know where we are.” He looked back at Kevin pacing the room and added, “And Jack…I’ll only be contacting you. Not the FBI. You can filter what you want through
Nick. But I’m not sure I trust the agents here.”

  “Agreed,” Jack said before disconnecting, leaving Marc standing with his hands on his hips once more, staring at his plane. Heaving a sigh, he turned to go back into the office.

  *

  Kendall watched in fascination as the large man stalked toward the office, his face now a mask. Unable to read any emotion, she bit her bottom lip as she waited to see what he would say now. He entered the office and closed the door behind him. Ignoring the other agent in the room, he walked straight to her, kneeling once more so that they were face to face.

  “Dr. Rhodes, I’m Marc Jenkins of Saints Protection & Investigations.” He reached out his hand toward her and she took it tentatively, immediately feeling the gentle strength in his handshake. She often categorized men by their handshakes and working in a male-dominated field, she had the opportunity to study her theory a lot. Some men would not shake a woman’s hand and she knew they thought she was beneath them. Some men would grip painfully and she labeled them as men who needed to show superiority. Some men had limp handshakes and those she categorized as weak. But Marc Jenkins—his was warm, strong, but gentle. And she wondered if her fuzzy-headedness was from the headache medicine or from his touch.

  Blinking, she realized he was watching her carefully and she jumped as a smile crossed his lips. “Kendall…you don’t need to call me Dr. Rhodes. Kendall will do.”

  Standing while still holding her hand, he assisted her up. “All right, Kendall, I have a few more checks to make on the plane and I suggest you use the restroom. We’ll get going in about fifteen minutes.”

  Turning to Kevin, he barked, “Make sure she has what she needs to be as comfortable as possible.” With those parting instructions, he walked back to his plane, noting Hank standing near the rear of the Cessna.