Chapter 33
Two Weeks Later
Sitting in Jack’s large living room, surrounded by all the Saints and their women, Kendall looked over at Marc as he stepped around a travel bassinet and scooped her up, plopping her down in his lap. Careful of her wrist, now in a brace, he handed her a glass of iced tea. Smiling her thanks, she cast her gaze around the large gathering, falling in love with the camaraderie all around.
“Any word on what’s going on in Alaska?” she asked. Nudging Marc, she added, “This guy won’t tell me much.”
Jack nodded toward Marc and said, “There’s not much we know to tell. I will say that the terrorist cell went underground and by the time the FBI closed in, they were only able to round up a few of them.”
Moans came from the group as he continued, “It seems that once they realized Tariq had come to Virginia, acting on his own, the other members decided to go into hiding, uncertain what he was doing.”
“So he wasn’t acting on their orders?” Kendall asked.
“From what Nick has learned, he was not ordered to come after you. While you were initially a target, when it failed with the helicopter crash and you escaped they abandoned the plan and were going to focus on something else. Tariq disagreed and thought going after you by himself would win him a favorable status within the cell.”
Shaking her head, she said, “I talked to my father and Fahdil is devastated. Even though it was Will, and not him, that was the traitor, he feels so responsible.” Sighing heavily, she added, “He may be taken off certain projects.” Throwing her hands up, she said, “And the whole group is stunned about Will. He was the last person anyone suspected.”
“He was in debt up to his eyeballs several years ago and when Tariq approached him, the lure of money was too good to pass up,” Charlie surmised.
The group fell into silence for a moment and Marc pulled Kendall’s body back into his tightly.
“So,” Faith asked, her smile landing on Kendall. “Have you decided what you’re going to do?”
Grinning, she nodded as she felt Marc’s arm squeeze her waist. “I’ve been to the University of Virginia and I’ve tentatively accepted their offer.” Her grin broke into a wide smile as the cheers from all around hit her ears.
“And what about your job in Louisiana?” Sabrina asked. “Will that be a problem to leave?”
“Fortunately, I was working for Dad, who wants me to be happy, so it won’t be hard. He’s going to finish the latest round of research and then he might consider coming east as well. And,” she shrugged, “my apartment was a rental, so it’s no problem to leave.”
Marc interjected, “We’re going to fly back in a few days so that she can close everything out and we can arrange for movers to bring what she’d like to keep.”
Blushing, Kendall observed the smiles and smirks from the group. “Yes, inquiring minds that want to know…I’m moving in with Marc.”
Raised beers and iced teas toasted the new couple.
The next morning, Marc rolled over in bed, his hand finding the sheets cold where Kendall’s body should have been. Smiling, he knew where she would be. Dressing quickly, he wandered to the kitchen where the coffee was already made and poured a cup. Stepping onto the front porch, he found her on the porch swing wrapped in blankets with the exception of one foot that stuck out, pushing against the plank floor to keep the swing in motion.
Bending to kiss her lips, he settled in next to her, pulling her close as she tucked her foot up underneath the covering, knowing he would now keep the swing going. Not speaking for a few moments, they watched the sun rise over the trees in the yard and the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. The peaceful quiet was broken only by the sounds of chattering birds and scampering squirrels.
Finally speaking, he said, “I remember my papaw telling me that I needed to find a good place to land when I was ready. He said that my mamaw was that place for him.” He held her gaze as he continued with a smile, “Now that you’re here with me, this is my place to land…”
Her smile rivaled the sunrise, capturing his heart.
*
Two Months Later
The setting sun slowly lowered in the sky as Angel and Monty said their vows in the gazebo at Bethany’s Mountville Cabins. Kendall, sitting with Marc near the front, felt her heart would burst with happiness. Having completed the move, she was happily ensconced in her new job, her new home, and Marc’s heart.
At the reception underneath a large tent, she held tightly to Marc as they swayed back and forth to the music. Unable to keep the smile from her face, she viewed her new friends, all huddled just as close on the dancefloor.
Marc lifted his gaze from her face, observing the other Saints as well. A sense of rightness filled his being…here with friends…here with Kendall. His gaze moved over the gathering, seeing Jack and Nick walk to the side of the large tent, deep in a private discussion. Hmmmm, I wonder—
Turning his attention back to the beautiful woman in his arms, he pulled her tighter against his chest, the warmth of her body fitting perfectly with his.
Looking up, she said, “Isn’t it strange, the way our lives can turn so unexpectantly?”
“Like you and me?” he asked, nuzzling her ear.
Feeling his strong arms encircling her, she nodded. “Yeah…from a random meeting in an elevator to now. With all we went through, we survived.”
“Thank God,” he said, peering into her eyes. “Because I have to tell you…I love you, sweet girl.”
Gasping, she sucked in her lips as tears threatened to fall. “I love you too,” she breathed.
Bending down, he captured her lips like he captured her heart…completely.
If you enjoyed Surviving Love, please !
The spin-off series, Baytown Boys Series, has begun! Click here for .
Other books by Maryann Jordan
(all standalone books)
All of my books are stand-alone, each with their own HEA!! You can read them in any order!
Saints Protection & Investigation
(an elite group, assigned to the cases no one else wants…or can solve)
Alvarez Security Series
(a group of former Special Forces brothers-in-arms now working to provide security in the southern city of Richland)
Love’s Series
(detectives solving crimes while protecting the women they love)
The Fairfield Series
(small town detectives and the women they love)
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