ACE (The Trident Series Book 1)

by Jaime Lewis

  Ace had finally found the courage to view the videos of Alex’s captivity. To see her fight with the determination she had to survive was unbelievable and moving. He was astounded by her will to fight and survive, especially in the condition she was in.

  “What was on the paper that Derek gave you?”

  “The name of the park with the pier just down the street.”

  “Why?”

  “I think he’s bringing Alex there.” He shrugged his shoulders. “We’ll see. If not, I’ll find out where Tenley lives from Stitch or Frost and go to Alex’s house.”

  Suddenly the guys started to get a little rowdy, and when they looked over, Ace saw why.

  “Holy shit, who is that gorgeous woman?” Potter asked, looking towards the table with wide eyes, and Ace grinned.

  “That would be Tenley.”

  Potter looked back at Ace. “That is Alex’s best friend?”

  Ace had to hold back his smile at the way Potter seemed to perk up after laying eyes on the pint-sized brunette who was hugging Frost.

  They both headed over to find out what was going on.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Derek pulled into a parking lot, and Alex was surprised when she realized they were at her favorite park. She loved coming here and sitting out on the long pier that stretched into the ocean.

  “Why are we here?” She asked Derek as she looked out the window. Man, did she miss this place.

  “I know how you loved this place, so I thought it would be a good place for us to talk. Come on, let’s walk,” he said, opening the door and getting out. She followed suit. It was warm, but the breeze and evening air was cooling the temperature down.

  They walked to the pier and took a seat on one of the benches. He stretched his legs out and placed his arm along the back of the bench behind her. For a minute, they both just sat there, gazing out at the water.

  “How was St. Thomas?” He asked, breaking the silence.

  “It was nice. I did a lot of thinking.”

  He looked over her. “Yeah?”

  She gave him a soft smile, then swallowed hard. She needed to be honest with him. He was offering an olive branch, so she needed to grab hold of that branch and let him in.

  “I want to first apologize for shutting you and the rest of the family out.” She looked out at the water and closed her eyes. “I know you are frustrated with me. And, what bothers me the most is that I feel like I’ve let you down.”

  “Oh, honey, come here.” He pulled her against him, and she burst into tears.

  “All that we’ve all wanted from you is for you to open up.”

  Her voice cracked as the tears flowed freely.

  “I felt like I was trapped and was suffocating. I needed an escape, and I ran. I need help, and I understand that now. I don’t want to go through this alone.” She buried her face in his chest and cried harder, releasing the pent-up emotions she’d been holding onto for over two years.

  He held her tightly. “You don’t have to do this alone,” he said, rubbing her back.

  She pulled herself back enough to look up at him. With tears running down her cheeks, she locked gazes with him and was caught off guard by the emotions she saw in his eyes. The man sitting here with her now wasn’t the hard, demanding Commander she knew him to be. No, she saw the man who was full of compassion and love, and trying, but having a difficult time holding back his own emotions over someone he loved. His eyes were glazed over, ready to shed the tears that were building up.

  She reached up and wiped the first tear from his eye before it spilled over. “Will you help me?”

  ◆◆◆

  Those four words from her weighed heavy on Derek’s heart, and he was unable to hold back any longer. He hugged her tight while he let her cry on him. Hell, he’d shed a few tears himself. He took a second to send up a silent thank you to the powers above for bringing her home.

  “I assume you saw the video,” Alex finally asked him as she pulled away and leaned back.

  “I did.” He turned his head to look at her. He had watched it once and never wanted to see it again. He had seen many videos over his career, but when the victim is one of your own, a family member, it adds another layer of emotion. Special Forces Operatives are taught how to detach their emotions from the situation, but when a man beats, whips and nearly raped his daughter, it was difficult to put those emotions aside. It had broken him to watch what those evil bastards had done to her.

  “My emotions have been all over the place. One minute I feel like I got it all under control, and I’m ready to conquer the world, and the next I’m sitting in the corner of my bedroom crying or having a panic attack.” She wiped another tear from her eye.

  “Why didn’t you call me? You know I would have been there for you. All of us would’ve. Hell, Tenley or I have even been staying with you at night. None of us knew exactly what you were going through, although we assumed, but we didn’t want to push.”

  She shrugged her shoulders, “I thought that by admitting it, it would make me look weak.”

  “That’s bullshit, Alex.” He saw the shocked expression on her face at his abrupt comment. “Honey, you need to remember that you are back home now. You have your family and friends surrounding you. Sure, a lot of them don’t know the extent of what you endured over there. Hell, they don’t even know where you were. But even so, those people are here for you.”

  “It’s tough, but support from friends and family are what get you through it. I’m not going to sit here and tell you that you’ll eventually forget everything that happened. If I did that, I’d be lying. Shit, there are times when my past still affects me. When it happens, I just pick up the phone and call your Uncle Tink or one of the others, and we talk it out.”

  “What if I want to talk to a professional? How does that work since missions are classified? I know there are shrinks on base for military personnel, but what about civilians like me? I don’t think the government would appreciate me spilling classified information to just any doctor.”

  He laughed, “No, I don’t think they would appreciate that at all. Would you feel more comfortable talking to a professional? Because if you are, either me or Mason could probably talk with the base and see if one of the doctors would see you.”

  She let out a sigh, “To start, I think that would be best. You’re not upset with that, are you?”

  “Not at all. I’m simply happy you’re willing to confide in someone. Although I thought there might be someone in particular that you might feel more comfortable talking with.”

  “Like who?”

  “I don’t know, maybe a certain SEAL that you’ve seemed to have caught the attention of.”

  He wanted to laugh when her head snapped up so fast that he thought she’d have whiplash. When her cheeks turned a little pink, he couldn’t hold his chuckle in.

  He smiled and winked at her. “I do have to say I’m surprised. What changed your mind? You’ve always shied away from dating someone in the military.”

  She shook her head and even snorted a laugh.

  “Believe me; I surprised myself. It happened so fast, one minute I’m trying to get something to eat, and the next, he saves me from making a complete ass out of myself.” He gave her a sideways look. “Seriously! Ask Potter; it was so embarrassing.”

  He was getting ready to reply when his phone buzzed with an incoming message, and he hid his smile when he saw who it was. He typed in a quick reply then stood up.

  “Do you trust me?”

  She scrunched her eyebrows together. “Of course, I do. Why would you even ask me that?”

  He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I only want what is best for you, and right now, I want you to follow your heart. Give me a minute to deal with this.” He held up his phone and then walked back toward his truck while laughing to himself. Jesus, for the last twenty-four years he tried keeping her away from boys, and here he was, practically putting one right in her lap.

  ◆
◆◆

  Ace saw Derek walking up the pathway that led to the pier and started walking toward him.

  He knew Alex was here. That was confirmed from speaking with Tenley after she showed up at Bayside. Now that woman was a bouncing ball of energy and had a mouth with no filter. She was also attractive. She and Alex shared a lot of similarities. She had even landed on Potter’s radar, which was shocking because Potter didn’t date. He’d have to keep an eye on that situation and see how it unfolds. Just watching them when they were introduced to each other, anyone with a good eye could see the pull, not to mention Potter never left her side and even bought her a drink. She and Potter had still been talking when he left to come here.

  He thought back to the information Tenley had shared with him and the team about Alex. Hearing how bad Alex’s nightmares and panic attacks were not only worried him, but it broke his heart. Anyone who went through what she did was sure to have some form of PTSD. He would, however, make sure she got the help she needed and support her every step of the way.

  Derek smiled as they shook hands. “She’s all yours,” Derek said, exchanging looks with Ace and then slapping him on the back.

  “How is she?”

  “She’s in a fragile state right now, but with some positive reinforcements in her life, I think she’ll pull through. She can be stubborn, so sometimes she may need a little bit of a push. She said she’s ready to talk to someone, so that’s positive.” Ace nodded his head. “It’s going to take some time for her to come to terms with everything that happened. You know how this shit works.”

  “You know I’m in this one hundred percent. I’m not planning on letting her go. I pretty much made that clear with her over there.”

  Derek’s lips curled up into a smile, “If I didn’t have the confidence in you, you wouldn’t be standing here right now. All that I ask of you is to respect and give her the care and love she needs. She’s my world, and all I want is her to be happy. You make her happy. I’m going to make a few calls and see if I can get her in with one of the doctors on base tomorrow. Let her know I’ll text her with the details.”

  With one last handshake between the two men, Derek walked toward his truck, and Ace followed the path that led him to the woman who stole his heart.

  ◆◆◆

  Alex sat back and gazed out at the horizon. There were a couple of Navy ships she saw in the distance, and she placed her hand over her belly, feeling that little pang of emptiness inside. She missed Ace so much. There was a brief moment right after she had been given her lashing, where she didn’t think she would survive the torture. She didn’t have a huge family, but the family she did have she feared not ever being able to see them again. That included Ace as well. She closed her eyes, feeling the moisture return to her eyes, then took a deep breath. She looked down at her watch and wondered how long Derek would be. She was thankful for the little bit of alone time right now, but she was exhausted and just wanted to go home.

  Although the thought of going home to an empty house didn’t sit well with her either, Derek didn’t say anything about staying over, and she hadn’t had a chance to ask Tenley yet. Knowing someone else was in the house helped ease her mind and fears. She wasn’t looking forward to sleeping alone, at least not yet. She’d ask Derek when he returned. Maybe asking would be the first step in showing her family that she was ready to move on and accept the support they were all willing to give her.

  “Alex…”

  She gasped. She wasn’t so much as startled by the person sneaking up behind her; it was who.

  When she turned, and her eyes met those baby blues she had fallen in love with, her heart skipped a beat. He stood there, looking just as handsome and sexy as the first time they met. And those intense eyes of his had the same effect on her body. Starting with her toes, she felt the heat in her body as it traveled up the rest of her body. When he smiled and opened his strong arms, welcoming her, she didn’t think twice as she closed the distance between them and leaped into his embrace. She looped her arms around his neck, buried her face into the crook of his neck as she inhaled his clean, masculine scent.

  “You’re here,” she said in-between sniffles and hiccups.

  “I’m here, baby, and I’ve missed you so damn much.” With one arm under her butt holding her and one hand cupping the back of her head, he nuzzled the side of her head.

  Ace turned and sat down on the bench, but she didn’t want to let go of him. With the way her mind was lately, she was afraid this was all just a figment of her imagination.

  Eventually, she came to terms with herself and loosened her hold a little and leaned back. He pressed his forehead against hers, and they were eye-to-eye. “Hi,” he whispered.

  She whispered hi back, rubbing her nose against his, giving him little Eskimo kisses. “I’m not dreaming, right?”

  He laughed. “No, you’re definitely not dreaming.”

  “When did you get home?” She asked.

  “A few hours ago. I tried calling you.”

  “I was on my way home.”

  “So, I hear. In fact, I’ve heard a lot of changes are happening.”

  She grinned. “Derek has a big mouth sometimes.”

  “But he loves you and wants what is best for you.”

  She sat up straight and palmed his cheek. His cheeks had a dusting of scruff, which added to his sexiness.

  “I have so much I want to say right now, but I honestly don’t know where to start.”

  He placed a finger on her lips. “I know, baby. We both have a lot to talk about, but right now, I just want to hold you in my arms for a minute.” She was absolutely okay with that. She laid her head against his shoulder and snuggled closer. Since waking up in the hospital four weeks ago, she finally felt at peace.

  After a while, she yawned, and he chuckled.

  “How about we get you home?”

  “You’re taking me home?”

  He kissed her nose. “If that’s okay. I’d like to.”

  “I’d like that very much.”

  He bent down, and she thought he was going to kiss her, but instead, he lightly brushed his lips against her forehead, before lifting her in his arms and walked toward his truck.

  ◆◆◆

  Shortly after Ace had gotten Alex situated in his truck, she had fallen asleep. He pulled into her driveway and stared at the monstrous house in front of him. Why in the hell did she need a house so fucking big? He peered over and was surprised when he saw her green orbs staring back at him.

  When the hell did she wake up?

  Unbuckling his seat belt, he leaned over and brushed his knuckles against her cheek. He was happy to see the bruising on her face was fading. The last time he saw her, both eyes were almost swollen shut, and her entire face was discolored.

  She gave him a sleepy smile, and he could tell she was exhausted. He intended to use this time with her to pamper her and show her exactly how special she was and that he would do anything for her.

  He got out of the truck and came around to her side. When she went to move to get out, Ace saw the way her eyebrows scrunched together and knew she was still in pain. He reached in and lifted her against his chest, and he smiled when she went willingly. It also made him laugh, remembering how she would always snuggle against him, referring to him as her personal heater and pillow, but he didn’t mind it at all. He looked forward to a lot of nights and mornings cuddling with her.

  “Why are you laughing?”

  “Just remembering how you used to snuggle in those damn tiny racks we shared.”

  “That’s because you’re warm and snuggly,” she said with a hint of humor, and he grinned. Christ, what would others say if they heard her say that? SEALs weren’t snuggly; they were badass.

  “Let’s get you into the house and get some food in you.”

  “Okay, but first there is something I need.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Kiss me…”

  He grinned. “With plea
sure.” He lifted her a little higher and bent his head as she closed her eyes and lifted her chin. The moment he felt her soft, warm lips brush against his, he couldn’t hold back the beast inside him. He pushed his tongue between her teeth, and she must have had the same idea because their tongues locked together. Remembering they were standing outside in front of her house, he released her lips.

  “Goddamn, did I miss you,” he told her, making her laugh, and she snuggled against his chest as he carried her inside.

  He walked them into the living room, just off the kitchen, and sat on the couch. She switched positions, so she was straddling his lap. He looked at her seriously as he ran his hands up and down her ribs. He knew she wanted to talk, and so did he. He thought it was best to get the heavy shit out of the way, so they could just sit back and enjoy one another for the evening.

  “You know, when I got a chance to talk with Derek earlier, and he told me what was going on with you, it scared the shit out of me. I was so worried.”

  She sighed and looked down before she made eye contact again. “I scared myself. This last month hasn’t been rainbows and unicorns, that is for sure. There were days I didn’t think I’d be able to make it.” She lowered her head. “Every time I look into a mirror and see my injuries, I’m reminded of what I went through. As I told Derek, I thought asking for help would make me look weak.”

  Tears gathered in her eyes, and he used his index finger to lift her chin, so she was looking at him.

  “You weak? I hate to tell you this, sweetheart, but you are the farthest thing from weak. I can guarantee that anybody who knows your story has the utmost respect for you.”

  “I know that now, but try putting yourself in my place. Sure, my uncles taught me survival methods, but I don’t live and breathe that every day like you do.” She covered her face with her hands. “Christ, I had to kill five people. Honestly, that bothers me more than my injuries, even though I know they deserved it.”

  Shit, he never thought about it that way. Having to kill another person could wreak havoc on anyone’s mental status. She was right; it was different for her as her resources were limited compared to what he had at his disposal.