Noah and Sami met 27 days ago.

ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

"That lady's completely devoted to you. I hope you realize that."

"In case I might forget, she reminds me, often."

Laughing, Sarah asked, "Like the greeting you received this morning?"

He shook his head. "Perfect example."

"Don't even pretend you didn't enjoy it."

"I did, but it shouldn't have happened."

"Would you have been happier if she just said, 'Welcome back'?"

"You know me better than that."

"Accept Sami for who she is. She's not going to change."

"That's part of her charm."

"You're right and she's exactly who you need in your life. She'll break down that wall you've built around yourself."

"She already has. I'm here, aren't I? Normally I'd be chasing down that fourth BDSM shop."

"I know, but does Sami? Maybe you should start telling her how much she means to you?"



TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 22 B

Noah spent the afternoon watching videos of the interrogations they had completed the previous night with Chen and his crew. He slammed his hand on the desk. "I knew we missed something. Bob, find who owns the buildings Chen occupied. I bet he doesn't. Dig into his finances. We need to follow the money. We may not have the head guy."

"On it, Boss."

*****
About an hour later, Bob pointed to the computer screen. "Boss, you're right. SunDrop LLC owns those buildings."

"What's an LLC?" asked Sarah.

Jose walked in. "LLC means Limited Liability Company."

"It's a legal status granted to businesses," added Noah. "It relieves the business owners of personal responsibility for their company's debits or liabilities. Do we know where the headquarters is or who's in charge?"

"They're from New Orleans. Not sure of the ownership. Still searching for that."

Facing Sarah, Noah said, "Get Galvin on the phone."

"Roger that, Boss."

It wasn't long before Sarah handed Noah the phone. He explained to Galvin that he needed the New Orleans' field office to find out as much information as possible on SunDrop LLC and he needed it, now.

Handing the phone back to Sarah, Noah said, "We wait."

"What does this mean for closing this place down?" asked Sarah.

Exhaling, Noah said, "We can't until we're sure they're not going to retaliate. If they're really in charge, Sami could still be in danger. Things may not have changed, only increased the threat. We may get lucky, and they simply own the buildings and have no knowledge of Chen's business. I'm not willing to take that risk."

Sami stood in the doorway and stared at Noah. "Dinner's ready. Did I just hear I may never return to my normal life?"

Noah held out his hand. "Let's go outside. I'll explain what's going on."

Ignoring his outstretched hand, Sami turned toward the kitchen. "You'll miss dinner."

"We'll eat later." He opened the door.

They sat on the front porch as Noah explained about the SunDrop LLC and the implications. "If I don't hear anything by noon tomorrow, I'll contact our New Orleans' office myself. Bob will continue his search. If we still know nothing, I'll make a trip to New Orleans. Again, if they just own the buildings and have nothing to do with human trafficking, you can go home." He paused. "We still need to wait until the fourth BDSM shop is closed.

A loud sigh escaped Sami's mouth. "Things could continue to happen, and I may never return to my previous life."

"Sami, it won't be like that." Noah studied her. "I feel there's something else on your mind. What is it?"

"I'm with you twenty-four-seven. The only time we aren't together is when we're sleeping. My feelings for you grow stronger every day. I'm messing up more and more. I'm worried I'm putting your job at risk." Sami stood. "I don't want to have this conversation." She knocked on the door and yelled, "Somebody open the door."

Jose opened the door. "Sami, is everything all right?"

"No." She continued toward her room. "Everything's all wrong."

Noah's muscular frame filled the doorway. "Sami, get back here. We need to have this conversation."

She faced him. "I'm not an agent you can order around."

"You're right." He inhaled. "But we need to talk."

She started to close her door but hesitated.

"You're making this impossible." Noah continued towards her.

"Impossible is number three."

"I happen to be in lo..." Noah exhaled, "happen to care about you." He stood by her door. "If it'll be easier, I'll take you to Mateo's. My concern is for your safety. I know he'll keep you safe."

Sarah stood. "Jose, go to your security cabin. Boss, Bob and I are going for a walk."

Acknowledging her, Noah focused on Sami. "It's up to you." Sami studied his eyes as he continued, "I'll have Bob set it up."

She continued to stare into his eyes.

When Sami remained silent and turned toward her room, Noah headed toward the front door. "I'll get Bob."

"Noah, no." Sami faced him.

He turned back and saw tears welling in her eyes. He walked up, put his arms around her, and kissed her, and then led her to the couch. "Let's sit. I have a feeling you need to be held."

The couple sat silently with Sami's head against Noah's chest and his arms around her.

Moments later Noah said, "I understand what you said. I'm sure you've noticed I've allowed more things to slide and have held your hand, hugged, and kissed you more than allowed." He swallowed. "You once said you liked that we could discuss things. I need you to do that now."

She moved closer but remained silent.

"Sami, I'm here for you."

Both heads turned as the computer sounded an alert. Sami swallowed. "You'd better get that."

Shaking his head, Noah said, "Nothing in there is more important right now than you and me."

She almost whispered, "I'm afraid you're coming up with excuses, so we won't ever find out where our relationship leads."

When Noah's kiss ended, he exhaled. "That couldn't be farther from the truth. I'm sorry you feel that way. I've done a lousy job letting you know how much I care." He closed his eyes. "Is that the reason you didn't take me up on the offer to take you to Mateo's? You were afraid I was ending our relationship."

"Kind of. If I wasn't here, you could go on with your life and forget about me."

"That would be impossible. You have a permanent place in my heart. You've broken down every wall I've built around it." He squeezed her tighter and whispered, "I've fallen in love with you."

"Noah?"

"Yes, I've broken every regulation. As hard as I've fought it, I've lost."

She reached up and kissed him. "Now what?"

"We continue as is until our lives resume. Once that happens, we'll see if what we have is real. I suspect it is, then we'll go from there. Do you agree?"

Sami nodded. "Yes. But..."

A kiss interrupted her. "No buts. Just continue being you. I'll be as professional as humanly possible. My team already suspects, no they know, we're in love, so it won't be a problem."

The computer alerts continued.

Sami glanced towards the computer room. "You really need to get that." She kissed him. "While you're doing that, I'll warm your dinner."

Noah stood, drew her closer, and kissed her. "From now on please talk to me. I can't read your mind."

"I will."

"Good." Noah kissed her again. "I'll get the team." He watched Sami walk toward the kitchen. I'm head over heels in love with her and have no clue how it happened.

*****
Inside Jose's security cabin, Sarah and Bob waited. Noah opened the door. "Ready to get back to work? That computer's making all sorts of noises."

Sarah studied him. "Did you two make up? Is Sami going to Mateo's?"

"The easiest answer is Sami and I are good. Let's get back to work."

*****
Walking toward the computer lab with Noah's dinner, Sami heard cheering. She stood at the door. "What's going on?"

Noah walked over and pecked her cheek. "The fourth BDSM shop is shut down. Eleven girls and six boys were rescued. Twelve more of Chen's crew members were arrested."

"Boys?"

Sarah answered, "Yes, males are in danger too. Human trafficking doesn't only affect females."

Bob chuckled. "Matt wants to know why it took so long to respond. How should I answer?"

Sami set Noah's plate down on a cabinet. "I think I'll go to my room."

As they laughed, Jose said, "How about we tell him we were outside playing kickball and didn't hear the computer?"

The others agreed.



~~~~~
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.

Julia - Teenage girl, who was friends with Myra and Sami works with.

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.

Chen - Charles Henry Edward Nichols - Human trafficker and into some really bad stuff.

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

Juan Pablo Enrique Aguilar de Pereira - Mateo's father