Free Sacrifice Love: Saints Protection & Investigations by Maryann Jordan

as the smell of food wafted through the kitchen. Hell, it’s only scrambled eggs and toast, but I’m starving!
    Looking into the refrigerator again, Chad found the bacon. Grabbing several slices, he placed them on a paper towel and put them in the microwave. Within five minutes, he set the buttered toast, crispy bacon, and cheesy scrambled eggs in front of her with a glass of milk. He smiled, watching as she dug into the food. Taking his plate to the counter, he joined her.
    Neither said anything while they ate. Quickly polishing off the simple meal, he made sure she finished the milk before taking her plate to the sink. With a rinse, he put them in the dishwasher before placing the frying pan in the sink.
    Dani contemplated, still stunned that Chad was in her house, in her kitchen, and about to delve into her business. He said he knew my secret. How could he know? She wanted to be angry, but the sated feeling in her tummy eased her temper. Her thoughts swirled so fast in her mind she missed him walking over to her stool.
    “It’s time, Dani,” his voice caressed.
    Sucking in a deep breath, she nodded. It had taken a while, but she had finally come to grips with Adam…his life, their marriage, everything. Her world could hold no more secrets. She led him into her living room and sat down on one end of her sofa. Tucking her legs up under her, she turned to face Chad as he sat on the opposite end. Considering her sofa was not very large, she realized they were actually very close to each other. She could see his blue eyes staring deeply into hers. His strong, clean-shaven jaw. His large body dwarfed her furniture, but he seemed strangely at ease in her house.
    “Dani?” he said, watching her jump. Smiling, he perceived she had been staring at him as much as he could not take his eyes off her.
    “Sorry,” she mumbled. Looking down to pick at imaginary lint from her dress, she said, “You’re the one who wanted to talk, so talk.”
    Chad sat for a long, silent minute. Hell, she’s right. I wanted to talk and now have no clue what to say.
    “I’m not going to bite, Chad.”
    He looked up, her face a window to her sadness and the realization stabbed through him. “Dani, I’ve thought of what I wanted to say to you for so long, but you now make me realize I’ve been such a horrible friend to stay away from you.”
    “I didn’t exactly make it easy for you when I walked away after Adam’s funeral. I was just so…ugh…pissed!”
    The silence stretched out once more, this time as both fell back into memories. Finally, Chad spoke, “I need to start back a long time ago. Will you give me that chance?”
    Nodding, she shifted to a more comfortable position, finding herself curious to hear what Chad had to say.
    “I remember the first time I laid eyes on you two years ago,” he began with a smile. “I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.” He watched as her face relaxed and her lips curved up slightly. “Adam wanted to fight me for you, but I think he quickly realized you weren’t going to be his typical…uh…”
    Rolling her eyes, she cocked her head to the side. “If we’re going to have this talk, Chad, we’re going to have to be totally honest with each other. You forget, I was friends with Adam for a long time before we married. So, believe me, I recognized he was a player when we first met.”
    Chad nodded, although wistfully at the thought of the trio’s friendship several years ago. “We did become good friends, didn’t we?”
    Dani smiled, the first honest smile she had in a long time. “Yeah, we did.”
    “That was my first screw-up,” he admitted. “While we were friends…I fell for you.”
    At that, she jerked back, stunned at his words. “You…but you…you never said…anything. Nothing.”
    “That was my second screw-up. At first, I was afraid to ruin the friendship. Then, when I was about to kiss you that night we were watching the game and Adam left the