"It forced me to get out of my rut and learn how to do some things that I would have never done. I...I got stronger." She looked up quickly and added, "Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying that I'm glad for what happened to Eli. I'm just saying that I'm glad I didn't fall apart and not work to survive."

Luke set his empty gla.s.s on the coffee table, twisting his body around, clasping her face in his hands. "No apologies, Charlie. That just means you're resilient. You're a survivor. And I know what you mean...because if this had never happened, I'd probably not be sitting here with you right now. And I can't think of a better place I'd rather be."

Her eyes melted as he leaned in further, his lips strong and warm against hers. He tasted of wine and something that was intrinsically Luke. Sinking into his embrace, she scooted over so that she was perched on his lap, her hands clutching his shoulders.

He stood easily and she wrapped her legs around his waist. With one arm under her a.s.s for support and the other enveloping her middle, he stalked back into the bedroom. The fears of the day gave way once more to the pa.s.sion of the night. By the time they lay once more entwined in each other, Charlie fell into a deep sleep.

Penny looked around the room at the few beds in the hospital dormitory. Uncertain as to the situations of the other women now fast asleep, she noted that they did not appear to be sick. All young. All hungry. All like her. They had been warned that one of the rules of the clinic was not to discuss their situations, but to simply heal. But heal from what?

Desperate to find David, she slipped quietly from her bed and to the door. Peeking out, the hall appeared empty. Moving stealthily down the hall, she realized she had no idea where she was going. After a few minutes of wandering around several winding halls with no luck, she came upon one with smaller, individual rooms. Looking into each one, she finally saw David lying in bed. He startled when she entered but, seeing her finger on her lips, he kept quiet.

Sitting on the edge of his bed, she said, "How's your cough?"

"Not as bad," he replied. "They gave me some medicine and said it would help me heal. The doctor that came by and checked me out said that I looked to be in good health, except for the cough."

Glancing around at the small, but private room, she wondered aloud, "Why do you suppose they give us homeless people special treatment?"

"Who knows?" he replied. "But I'm not complaining. Some lady came around to ask me questions about where I'd been living and how long I'd been on my own."

"What'd you tell her?"

Giving a rude snort, David said, "The truth. That my folks were dead and as soon as I could I got away from the foster system. She seemed to want to know if there was anyone who'd be looking for me, but I told her no. Well, with the exception of you, that is."

His words should have made Penny feel warm inside, but something about the clinic chilled her. Giving herself a mental shake, she offered him a smile. "Well, I'd better get back. I'll come see you tomorrow."

With that, she slipped unnoticed back to her bed.

Lin w.a.n.g sat at her computer, the room illuminated by the streetlight coming from outside her condo. Her fingers hesitated over the keyboard as she pondered her next move. Tucking her sleek hair behind her ear, she thought carefully about the situation.

How much do they know? What all can they find out? She hated the partnership the FBI had with the Saints. Everything could come crashing down. Everything I've been working for. I cannot let them find out what's going on!

Sucking in a deep breath, her slender fingers began typing the message to her contact, Xia Wu, at the clinic.

Anything new for me?

A few new ones came in. Could be real possibilities.

Medical or other? Lin typed.

Both. One medical excellent candidate. The other perfect. Should be lucrative. Expect things to move forward. Came the reply.

How soon?

Medical needs time to heal. Other with him. Together for now. That will be the bait used.

Lin sucked in a deep breath, a smile playing about her lips as her fingers rested on the table. Standing, she walked over to pour another gla.s.s of wine. Taking it to her balcony, she stepped out into the cool breeze of the evening. Her sleek bob blew back from her shoulders as she lifted her face upwards, watching the full moon high in the sky. Taking a long sip of wine, she closed her eyes for a moment, knowing what she needed to do.

Chapter 16.

With Charlie safely ensconced in the Saints' compound, Luke traveled with Monty and Patrick to Washington D.C. to meet with Monty's new contact.

"We're old friends," Monty explained. "We never worked together as closely as I did with Mitch, but Nick's a good guy."

Arriving at the restaurant in Old Town Alexandria, the three walked inside the quaint interior and were pleased to see the lunch crowd diminished. Monty bypa.s.sed the hostess, seeing his friend already in a back corner booth. Luke observed the dark haired, square jawed man with the slight smile stand to greet Monty. Wearing khaki pants with a white shirt, his herringbone jacket gave him a professorial appearance.

"Nick," Monty greeted with a handshake-hug and made the introductions. "This is Nick Stone. Nick, meet a few of my co-workers, Luke Costas and Patrick Cartwright."

The four men sat down, making small talk until their order arrived. As the food was consumed, Monty got down to business. "I've already filled Nick in on what we need from him."

Nick ran his hand over his jaw, his eyes focusing on each of them. "Well, I might as well get this out in the open to begin with. When Monty approached me about being a contact, I was intrigued. I know Mitch and have always had the highest respect for both him and you," he said, nodding to Monty. "But, I've got to tell you, the idea of working with you to possibly take down a dirty FBI agent...h.e.l.l..." Letting out another deep breath, he pinned the Saints with his stare.

Nick rested his forearms on the table next to his plate and sighed. "But the honest to G.o.d truth is that I've got no love for any agent that may be crooked. So, my answer is yes. I'll help."

Luke let out a breath he did not realize he was holding and smiled. Glancing to the side, he observed Monty and Patrick's responses to be the same.

"I wanted to have your agreement first," Monty said, sliding a file over to Nick. "Here's what we have so far. After you look this over give me a call. Luke, our computer expert, will get in touch with you to set up a secure way to have a video-conference."

Nick skimmed through the information in the file, his jaw ticking as his eyes moved down the pages. Sucking in a quick breath, he looked over at the Saints. "And this witness...they're somewhere safe?"

Luke, immediately p.r.i.c.kling, nodded and answered with a curt, "Yes." Not willing to give the agent any more information, he sat tight-lipped.

The meeting ended as the meal was finished, and the group said their goodbyes. In the SUV on the way home, Luke asked, "You trust him?"

Monty twisted to peer at Luke. "I know what you're thinking but, yeah...I trust him."

Luke was quiet for a moment, pondering Monty's response. Finally he said, "Then that's good enough for me."

Charlie spent the day in the compound underneath Jack and Bethany's house. Looking around she smiled, knowing this was where Luke devoted much of his time. She even noticed his coffee machine on the counter. Standing, she lifted her hands over her head, stretching her back before fixing a cup of the strong brew.

Jude and Cam entered the area from one of the back rooms and grinned at her. "You look at home there where Luke normally sits," Jude joked.

Returning their smiles, she sipped the coffee, allowing the caffeine to kick in. Turning back to her computer, she continued to pour over the data Eli had given her. Incomplete...why can't I figure out the missing information? From her previous investigating, she knew the client, Jun, was in the Washington D.C. area. There were hundreds of doctors in the entire northern Virginia and eastern Maryland area surrounding D.C., and she had no way of knowing if she were looking for one with a Chinese last name. Just searching Jun had not produced any positive leads. Uncertain how to narrow the field, her own work had come to a halt. But, having listened to the Saints working the problem, she now focused on anyone with a Chinese background. Why had I never thought about the murderer speaking Chinese as a clue? She grimaced, irritated at her inefficiency.

"What's causing that look?" Cam asked, observing the play of emotions crossing her face.

Blushing, she replied, "I'm embarra.s.sed that I never thought to check any Chinese possibilities before. I've been trying to figure out Eli's information for several months."

Jude sat down next to her and said, "Before I became a Saint, I didn't know how to investigate a crime." Seeing that he had her undivided attention, he continued. "I had been trained as a SEAL, but an injury cut that career short. Sabrina's family had a problem and I asked her cousin, Bart, to help and, with the a.s.sistance of the Saints, we got the guy. Honestly, without their knowledge, I'd never have been able to do it on my own."

Smiling at the handsome, curly-headed young man, she said, "So the moral of your story is to stop beating myself up?"

Throwing his head back in laughter, he said, "That's exactly what I'm saying." He patted her shoulder as he stood. "Luke's really good at this...well, in fact, each of us brings our own strengths to the team. Don't worry about trying to put all the pieces together yourself. Just take one clue, start connecting the dots, and follow the trail." Smiling at her, he and Cam headed back to the equipment room.

With renewed vigor, she turned back to the computer. Deciding to give up the search for Jun for the moment, she focused her research on the Chinese governmental hospitals harvesting organs from unwilling prisoners and even a religious group that was not sanctioned by the ruling power.

But in the United States? Wouldn't patient's families be suspicious? Don't deaths have to be reported? Turning her thoughts over and over in her mind, she followed Jude's advice and slowly began to follow the trail.

Who would be patients that wouldn't be missed? Those with no family. She typed in her search on runaways and the homeless...particularly the young. The numbers were staggering. The latest data estimated there was over a million homeless youth. Oh, my G.o.d. The research also showed a tie between human trafficking and homelessness. And one of the largest groups involved in human trafficking...the Chinese mafia.

Allowing her mind to flow over the problem Eli had uncovered, she began to wonder if a pattern existed between human trafficking and organ trafficking. Isn't it possible they could be related? That the same people at risk for one could be at risk for the other?

Penny, wearing clean jeans and a new long sleeved t-shirt, walked back into the female dorm room and looked at the other five girls sharing the room. Two of them were already new, replacing the sheets on the beds. Catching the eye of one she met yesterday, she nodded toward the other side of the room and asked, "Where did those two go?"

"I think when we've had a few days here and they check us out to make sure we're healthy, we leave," came the reply.

Penny pursed her lips together, looking around. The bed had been clean and comfortable and the food had been adequate. I knew this was only temporary, but really wanted to stay long enough to keep an eye on David. She had attempted to go back to his room this morning, but had been stopped. No females on the male ward, had been the reason given.

Sitting down on the edge of her bed, she chewed on the inside of her mouth as she tried to work through the feeling deep in her stomach that something was not right. This is no homeless shelter...but it's also not like any medical clinic I've been in. The staff was mixed, although the doctor, nurses, and the main receptionist had been Asian.

She gazed at the smiling girls in the ward. They don't seem worried. Heaving a sigh, she slid off the bed and walked toward the bathroom. Maybe a shower will make everything seem better. At least, she hoped it would wash away some of her concern as much as her cleaning her body.

The sun slid behind the Blue Ridge Mountains behind Jack's property as the large gathering met and mingled on the deck that spanned the side of his house. A white picket fence surrounded the back yard, readying for children that would soon play there. The gra.s.s was still lush and green, although the fall colors were already creating a painted backdrop to the vista.

Charlie stood near the picnic table, watching the other women's easy camaraderie. She had met Bethany, Angel, Faith, and Miriam, but now the gathering included the rest of the Saints' wives and fiances. Chad's wife, Dani, was placing her baby girl into a rocker-carrier, while Sabrina and Grace cooed over the infant. Patrick's fiance, Evie, stood next to Angel, setting the cupcakes out for everyone. Both Miriam and Dani's babies were now asleep in rocker-carriers just inside the gla.s.s doors of the house. Even though they were in plain sight of everyone, the baby monitor sat in the middle of the group.

Sighing softly, Charlie could not help the sliver of envy that buried inside of her, always feeling like the outsider in a large group of people. The women, all beautiful in their own unique ways, appeared so accomplished and so at ease with each other.

After a moment, Blaise's fiance, Grace, walked over and stood next to Charlie. "It's not always easy, is it?" she asked softly.

Biting her lip, Charlie c.o.c.ked her head to the side in silent question.

"Joining an established group," came the reply along with a head nod toward the women.

Ducking her head, Charlie said, "Everyone is so nice."

"Nice, yes...but I remember when I first met everyone, I felt like an outsider," Grace chuckled.

"And now?"

With a little shrug, Grace admitted, "I've only been with Blaise for a short while. So I'm still pretty new. Adding in the fact that I'm not a super sociable person, it can make me feel a little awkward."

Faith, having walked nearby, grinned at the two women. "Socially awkward? Grace you are a social b.u.t.terfly compared to me," she joked.

Evie moved over as well, smiling at Charlie. "I've wanted to meet you since Patrick told me about you. I'm an Engineer as well."

"Really?" Charlie asked, surprised. "What field?"

"I majored in Geotechnical Engineering." Seeing Charlie's smile, Dani threw her head back and laughed, "Yeah, I know. It makes most people's eyes roll back in their heads. But I felt the same way when I first moved here and was thrust into the Saints' world."

Faith, turning her head toward Charlie, said, "Large groups can be overwhelming until you realize you're part of a big family."

Nodding, Charlie admitted, "That's what I was thinking. You all seem like one big family."

"That's because Bethany works so hard to make it that way. Jack's fabulous, but as the boss, he can be a bit intimidating and...removed. Once Bethany came into his life, she made sure to sort-of mother-hen the rest of the men...and then their women."

"Are my ears burning?" Bethany joked, as she patted her pregnant belly while walking over to stand next to Charlie. "I'm really glad you're here, by the way. I know this group can be...well, overwhelming."

Charlie knew that any attention focused on her usually made her cheeks burn, her stomach churn, and her palms sweat. But as the group slowly incorporated her into their conversations, she was actually enjoying herself.

Standing off to the side, Luke kept a watchful eye on Charlie as she met the rest of the Saints' women, knowing crowds made her nervous. After a moment, her eyes found his and she offered a smile, easing his concern.

"She'll be fine. The others will see to it," Chad said, the gentle giant walking up beside Luke. "Dani felt the same when she first met everyone."

Turning, Luke nodded to his friend and the two of them moved toward the grill where Jack and Bart were debating the barbecue sauce. Taking another beer from the cooler, Luke walked over to the railing and stared out into the dusk blanketed yard.

"You okay?" Marc asked, coming up beside him. His gaze slid over to the women encircling Charlie. "She's doing fine."

Silent for a moment, Luke replied, "It's weird...and great...having her here."

"Why is that?"

"I never expected to meet someone like her. Never expected to be at one of Jack's gatherings with someone."

"I'm glad for you, man," Marc said honestly.

"And you?" Luke asked. "You're now the lone wolf in this pack."

Shaking his head at the a.n.a.logy, Marc said, "Don't see that changing anytime soon."

Luke started to make a quip about Marc not settling down to just one woman when he could have a bevy of beauties lined up, but the flash of uncertainty in Marc's eyes had him shutting down the comment before it even came out.

Just then the call from the grill masters rang out and the gathering made their way over to the tables now laden with food. Striding over to Charlie, Luke slid his hand around her waist. Bending, he whispered, "You doin' okay?"

Her wide smile was answer enough, but she said, "I really like your friends." Looking around, she added, "It's been years since I've enjoyed a group." Lifting her hand to cup his cheek, she held his eyes. "Thank you for letting me be a part of your world."

"Sweetheart, they're now your world too." With that, he placed a soft kiss on her lips before twirling her back toward the tables, where the sounds of laughter rang out into the night.