Free Serial Love: Saints Protection & Investigation by Maryann Jordan Page A

out a lot. By then I was out of college with a business and marketing degree working for an ad agency in Richland.”
    “You gave up your life?” he asked, already knowing the answer and that she quit a decent paying job.
    She shrugged, “Yeah. I mean, I liked the job and the people, but…” She looked back at the mountains and sighed. “But look at that. I’ve always loved that. And Gram needed me. I couldn’t let this place be sold or get run down.”
    “So you took all this on yourself?”
    “I’ve got help. Sally does the cabin cleaning and Roscoe does the handiwork around.”
    The warm vibe changed once again to chilly as he stood, moving his large body to lean against the rail as he peered down at her. “You’ve got a man here to do handiwork?” Jack asked, his voice still low, but growling this time. Before she could answer, he continued, “So why the fuck were you out with an axe today?”
    “I’m not helpless,” she protested. “He’s off today and I saw a job that needed to be done so I did it.”
    He leaned back, letting his breath out slowly, as though counting. Frustration warred with anger inside of him.
    “Jack, I’m not sure what’s happening here,” she whispered, her eyes meeting his. “We’ve only been around each other a couple of times and every time I find myself confused. You seem angry and then interested and then pull away.”
    He stared at her face, so full of pure honesty it almost hurt. Her beauty pulled him in—made him want the things in life that he had assumed were not for him. Relationships. Love. Family. He dealt in a world of missions, violence, and money being paid to get things done. Things that others could not get done. And she’s got no fuckin’ place in that world.
    His thoughts warred with each other, then finally gave in to the darker side of his mind. Pushing away from the rail, he gave her a curt nod. “Just being neighborly,” he lied. “Make sure you secure that bracelet around Ann’s ankle ’cause we’ve already got it on our radar.” With one last head jerk, he stalked down the steps and to his truck, leaving her sitting on the porch.
    As his vehicle pulled out of sight, she stood sighing heavily, disappointment filling her soul. It had been so long since she was interested in a man. Someone more than an occasional date. His rugged handsome looks drew her in, but it was his intensity that had held her gaze . As though he would stop at nothing to slay my dragons. And then…nothing. Sighing again deeply, she looked down at the bracelet in her hand. It was a very nice gift. For a neighbor from a neighbor. A neighbor who was tying himself to her whether or not he realized it.
    Snagging the two glasses off of the porch, she headed inside to find Gram and start dinner.

Chapter 7
    T he humid night was dark and few stars shone with the impending storm. The campus was sparsely populated in the summer with fewer students taking in classes. The parking lot lights gave off very little illumination and it was easy to stand in the shadows and hide. The wind gust caught his coat, whipping it out for a second before he grabbed it back, buttoning the front securely.
    Who have I seen here lately? Who comes to the library night after night? A dark haired girl pushed open the heavy doors. He watched her come out of the library and down the steps. Yes, I recognize you from the other night. Studying. You’ve been studying. Such a good girl…always a good girl until they become sluts. And they all become sluts.
    He caught her giggle as she met a young man at the bottom of the steps and watched as they walked toward the dorm together. He palmed his crotch, but the urge was not there. He felt nothing. Turning, he climbed into his little, nondescript sedan, smiling to himself. You’re safe tonight, little girl. I don’t need anyone now.
    *
    Two weeks passed while Jack and his Saints were busy with combing the campuses and digging for more information. Jack moved