Chapter 29 A Willing Hearts

Noah and Sami met 34 days ago.

ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

After a kiss, Sami asked, "What was your favorite part of the play?"

"Honestly my favorite part was watching you enjoy it. Your eyes sparkled so much; I couldn't keep from watching them. They were like fireworks."

"Really?" When he nodded, her kiss lingered. "That's the nicest thing anybody has ever said to me."

After a few more lingering kisses, Noah's body pressed against Sami's causing her to lie back. Noah lay partially on top as his tongue gently tickled the roof of her mouth. He stood. "Sunshine, I need to leave."

Her eyes widened. "Why?"

"I want to carry you into the bedroom and make love to you all night."

"I haven't nibbled on your earlobe since dinner."

"I know." He paused a moment. "I'll see you around ten o'clock. Goodnight."

"Noah?"

"Sunshine, don't make this more difficult than it already is. Goodnight." Noah left. After the door closed, he said, "Don't forget to lock this."

"Goodnight. I won't."


TODYA'S POST:

Chapter 29 A


Saturday morning Sami and Jasper finished their six-mile run and watched the sunrise before heading toward her apartment. As she glanced at the second-floor apartment hallway, she tilted her head. "Jasper, there's three men outside my apartment." Her eyebrows rose and she pursed her lips. "I think they have guns."

She moved behind a car and lifted her wrist communicator. "N."

Moments later, Noah replied, "Sami?"

"There's three men with guns outside my apartment. They're using a crowbar to get inside."

"Where are you?" Once she explained she was in the parking lot, Noah continued, "Find a safe place and stay until I get there. I'm on my way. Don't hang up. I'm calling it in."

After a few moments, Noah said, "Help's on the way. If they arrive before me, wait until I'm there."

"Okay."

"Where are you, now?"

"I moved from the parking lot to behind a shrub on the playground, by the swings."

"Good. My ETA (estimated time of arrival) is less than five minutes."

"Help just arrived."

"Great. Stay put."

*****
Noah parked and ran behind the building searching for Sami.

When she saw him, she ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. After a kiss, Noah asked, "You all right?"

"Just scared. Who are they? What do they want?"

"No idea. I came straight to you." Noah checked with Jose and Bob. A few moments later, he said, "Once they're on their way to lock-up, we'll see what's going on."

"If you need to be there, I'll be all right."

"There's no way I'm leaving you." He slipped his arm around her waist and kissed her forehead.

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

He squeezed her tighter. "We'll be called when it's safe." He stared toward Sami's apartment.
A few minutes later, Jose waved his arms motioning for Noah and Sami to return.

Sami studied the large gaping hole in her door. "Do you think my renter's insurance will cover this?"

The three men cocked their heads and stared at her for a few moments, before Bob held up his phone. "Sami, do you recognize these men?"

She took time and studied each man. "I've never seen any of them."

Noah and Jose had moved off to the side for a private conversation. When they finished, Noah stood beside Sami. "Sorry about this. I put you in danger. Remember yesterday when we were at the hospital?" Sami nodded, and he continued, "The little girl, Alison..."

"She was very friendly."

"She was. Her mom figured out who I am." Noah pointed to one of the men on Bob's phone. "That's her stepdad, who's an alleged pedophile and possibly has ties with human trafficking of young girls. He can't be around her until the investigation is completed. It depends on what we find, he may end up in prison. They use visits with Ms. Castillo to get together. Mom notified him we were there. He probably followed us to your place."

Sami put her hand on Noah's arm. "It's not your fault there's bad people in the world."

"I led him to you."

"It's a simple fix," said Jose. "Sami'll have twenty-four-hour surveillance."

"That won't be necessary. I have Jasper."

"Maybe only surveillance when she's not with Boss," offered Bob.

Noah pointed at the door. "Let's solve this problem then figure out how to keep Sami safe."

Bob said, "I contacted property management. They're on their way, but pretty sure they can't or won't do anything about it. It's all on Sami."

"But..." Sami sighed.

Noah rubbed the back of his neck. "Don't worry that's not going to happen."

A representative from the property management, Leon Cook joined them and studied the door. "You did a number on that door."

"I didn't do anything." The tension in Sami's voice rose, "I wasn't even home when this happened."

Leon studied her. "It's not our fault and won't pay for the repairs."

"I have renters' insurance. I'll contact them." Her eyes met Noah's. "Is there a police report?" He nodded, and she continued, "Good."

Mr. Cook studied his phone. "It'll probably take a few weeks before anything's resolved."

"What?" asked Sami. "I can't stay here."

Noah stepped closer to Leon. "It's not safe for Sami to remain here without a functioning door. She needs someplace to stay until it's fixed."

"I have a one bedroom available, but not the dog."

"I pay an extra hundred dollars a month for Jasper. He goes where I go."

Noah glared. "Jasper goes with her."

"I'm...not...authorized...to make...that...decision," stammered Leon.

Bob pointed to the phone in Leon's hand. "Then call who is."

Once the phone was answered, the conversation went between that man, Noah, Bob, and Jose.

Sami crawled through the hole in the door and then guided Jasper through.

*****
Almost thirty minutes later Noah walked into the kitchen and studied Sami. "What are you doing?"

"Fixing breakfast. I don't eat before my runs. I'm hungry."

He watched her move from area to area. With his hands on each side of her waist, he lifted her and set her on the counter. "Stay put and talk to me. What's wrong?"

She exhaled.

He moved between her legs and kissed her. "Sunshine? We can't solve the problem if you don't talk."

"This is my apartment."

"I know."

"But I was nowhere in the decision-making process about my door. I had no say."

Noah focused on the door and then released a deep breath. "You're right. You should've been part of that discussion. Come on." He walked toward the door.

When he turned around, he realized Sami hadn't followed. He faced the counter Sami sat on. "Why aren't you coming?"

"You ordered me to stay put."

He walked to her, set her on the floor, and kissed her. "You're perplexing. When have you ever followed any of my directions?"

"All the time. Twice today, when you told me to remain hidden and to stay put."

He put his hand on the small of her back. "You're right, Miss Frustration. Come on."

They joined Bob and Jose.

"Please share with Sami the status of her door," said Noah.

"You'll get a door compliments of Homeland Security," explained Bob, "It'll be installed today. Your property manager okayed it was long as it looks like the rest. It'll be thicker and sturdier. A crowbar, ax, or sledgehammer won't phase it."

"What will?" asked Sami.

Jose grinned. "Explosives."

Sami's eyes lit up. "Pretty sure people don't carry explosives in their trunks."

"Some might," added Noah.

"Anybody up for breakfast?" asked Sami. "I'm starving."

Bob and Jose stopped at the table. Noah followed her into kitchen, came up behind her, and put his arms around her. "We good?"

Sami turned, put his face between her hands, and kissed him. "We are." She rubbed his day's growth and then ran her pointer finger along the outline of the muscles on his arm. "Definitely ruggedly handsome."

"I was working out when you called. I didn't take time to shower and change."

"Tank tops and a day's beard growth are a good look for you."

Their head turned when Jose called, "You two going to bring food or flirt with each other all morning?"

"How about you come get your own food and we continue what we're doing?" Sami laughed as she carried in plates.

After they finished breakfast, Sami showered and dressed for the day. Bob and Jose remained in her apartment, while Noah went home to shower and dress.

Once Noah returned, Bob and Jose left and were to return later to discuss security for Sami.

As they waited for Bob and Jose to return, Sami studied the hole in her door. "I guess we're not going kayaking."

"You're right about that. You should have a door by late this afternoon. Any ideas for this evening?"

"None, right now." Sami tilted her head. "We could watch a movie and eat popcorn."

"Maybe. We'll think about it." Noah glanced at his watch. "Bob and Jose should be here any minute. Any thoughts on security?"

"Not really. I thought once Chen was arrested, everything would be back to normal."

"Honestly, so did I. I never considered my enemies would be a threat to you." Noah rubbed his forehead. "I should have. The best way to get to me would be through you. I'm sorry."

Sami took his hand. "Don't get ideas about leaving to protect me. I won't allow that."

He grinned. "I figured as much. Besides, I'm completely devoted to you."

Sami's kiss lingered.

"I could get used to that," said Noah after a few more kisses.

Tilting her head, Sami said, "So could I."

He winked and then turned his head toward male voices. "Jose and Bob have returned."

Once they were seated, Noah asked, "Any ideas how we're going to keep Sami safe?"

Sami exhaled. "I feel I need to put some parameters in place. I don't want anybody in my apartment. I want the freedom to run around naked if I want too."



~~~~~
CHARACTERS:

Sami Martinez - Twenty-five-year-old high school teacher, who's working to find a kidnapped teenage girl.

Noah Taylor. - Homeland Security team leader, who works in the Human Trafficking department. Alias - Trey Morgan

Jose, Bob, & Sarah - Agents who work under Noah. Bob and Sarah are married.

Laura Martinez - Sami's mom.

Jasper - Sami's Great Dane, a large breed dog.

Myra Rodriguez - Kidnapped teenage girl whom Sami was close to.

Big T - Neighborhood pimp; not a friendly person

Numerous Team Members - They will show up periodically but not really important to the story, except they're there.

Chief Galvin Baldwin - Noah's supervisor.

Marc - Sami's old boyfriend.

Mateo Enrique Aguilar de Pereira - a very close friend of Sami's; a rich playboy