POTTER (The Trident Series Book 2)

by Jaime Lewis

  She sat there as the minutes ticked by. She felt like she was in a fog. She had met her father and lost him at the same time. She found herself crying until she felt strong arms wrap around her and pull her into a tight hug. She smelled the cologne and knew Derek was there. The man who had been a father to her since she was five years old. The man who taught her how to ride a bike, the man who taught her to throw a football, the man who taught her how to drive, and the man she would forever call dad. Those thoughts made her hold him tighter and cry harder.

  Derek rubbed her back and whispered to her. “I got you, Ten. I’ll always be here for you.” And she knew he would, because he was her dad.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  A couple of days had passed since Miguel’s surprise visit. In those few days, Tenley had done a lot of thinking about what Miguel told her. “Live life to the fullest and love those who love you.” At first, she moped around the house, but after the second day, Alex had lit into her ass, telling her she needed to snap out of it. She told her that Miguel might be gone, but she had all of her family and friends who loved her. Now she was determined to do exactly what Miguel had said. She was going to love those who loved her—starting with her husband.

  Potter’s birthday was tomorrow, and she wanted to throw him a surprise party. Frost tried to talk her out of it, telling her that Potter didn’t like attention brought to him, but she merely thanked him for the warning. She was still going to do it.

  Derek called her at breakfast and informed her that the guys would be home later in the evening. That meant she only had the afternoon to buy decorations and make plans for the party. She knew Alex would help out, but she had to go to work. She made a note to give her a call later and see if she could help put up the decorations at Bayside the next day.

  Alejandra was home with her, and when Tenley told her about planning a surprise party for Potter, she got excited and wanted to help. That was why she, Alejandra, and Frost were standing in the middle of the party store trying to decide on decorations. While she and Alejandra were picking out the decorations, Frost was standing near the front of the store, glaring at anybody who walked near her or Alejandra. It was quite amusing.

  With their shopping cart full, they made their way to the cash register and paid for everything.

  When they stepped outside, the sound of tires screeching had her looking up. The sight of the two black SUVs driving toward them alarmed her. They were going a little too fast, she thought, considering they were in a parking lot with people walking around. Gripping Alejandra’s hand a little tighter, she went to say something to Frost, but the sound of a car backfiring scared her, making her jump. Before she could contemplate another thought, Frost’s hard body slammed into her, taking both her and Alejandra to the ground. That was when she realized it hadn’t been a car backfiring. It was gunshots.

  Tenley lay on the ground under Frost. He was staring at her. “Are you okay?” His face was all contorted. Almost like he was in pain.

  “Tenley?” She heard Alejandra, who was being shielded by Frost. What the hell just happened?

  “I’m fine. We’re fine. Are you okay? What was that?” Tenley asked, panicking.

  “Someone in those vehicles shot at us. Fuck…I twisted my ankle.”

  “Let me take a look at it.” She wiggled out from under, and when she did, she heard several car doors slam behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she met the cold eyes of Esteban.

  Oh shit!

  As she went to turn to warn Frost, she heard another gunshot, and then someone pulled her by the back of her shirt. Strong hands gripped her arms. When she looked up, she saw it was one of the men she saw the night she was at Chaz’s club. She heard more gunfire and then heard Alejandra scream. NO!!!

  She looked where Alejandra had been lying on the sidewalk, but she didn’t see her. Frost had managed to get behind a concrete pillar outside of the store. He was shooting back at the men. She looked to her left and saw that another man was holding Alejandra.

  Two men were on the ground with what looked to be gunshot wounds to their upper bodies. Frost must have shot them. She screamed out for Frost, and when she did, she felt the backhand to her face.

  “Shut the fuck up! Get her into the goddamn car.” She struggled to get free, and when she almost had it, she was hit again. The hit stunned her, and she tasted blood.

  She looked in the opposite direction and saw the other man was having trouble getting Alejandra in the car. She was screaming and kicking her legs. The large man set Alejandra’s feet on the ground to get a better grip on her, and that was when Alejandra struck him in the groin. Right at that moment, Tenley wanted to smile and cheer on her little girl. When the guy released Alejandra, Tenley found her voice and screamed at her to run. Thank god Alejandra listened and took off to where Frost was. Tenley could see her little legs were pumping as fast they could.

  Tenley then watched in horror as the guy Alejandra had hit raise his gun and aimed it at Alejandra’s back. Tenley screamed just as the guy fired the shot. Right at the last second, Tenley saw Frost come from around the pillar and shield Alejandra, but not before the bullet meant for her daughter hit Frost.

  “Noooooo!” Tenley screamed and started thrashing. Whoever was holding her picked her up and threw her into the car. She hit her head on the console in the back. Even dazed, she tried to crawl to the other side, and when she had her hand on the door handle, someone grabbed her hair and yanked her back. Tenley howled in pain.

  “Stop fighting me. You’re only making it worse for yourself.”

  She raised her head, and her eyes met the eyes of the devil himself. She spat in his face, and he laughed.

  “Now that is no way to treat your man, is it?” He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his face.

  “You are nothing to me, you bastard.” She spat at him, and he slapped her again. Her head snapped back, hitting the window.

  “Let’s go. The cops will be swarming this place any minute.” Esteban said to the guy driving.

  “What about the guy and girl?”

  “Forget about them. I got who I want. Now move!”

  The guy driving slammed his foot on the gas, making the car lurch forward, sending Tenley tumbling on to Esteban’s lap. She tried to move away, but he was too quick and flipped her onto her back. Using his knees, he spread her legs and laid his body on top of hers with her arms pinned above her head against the seat.

  He smirked at her. “I told you, I’d have you beneath me. It just took a little longer than I expected.”

  “What do you want with me?” She asked him. Her head throbbed, and she felt dizzy.

  “Consider this payback for your old man screwing me over. Say goodbye to your life here because you are never going to see your friends and family again.”

  He leaned down and smashed his mouth down on hers in a bruising kiss. She tried to pull back, only for Esteban to grip both of her wrists in one hand and use the other hand to latch onto to her neck while he forced his tongue down her throat.

  She gagged at the disgusting taste of whiskey and cigarettes. She managed to get one leg free, and she thrust it up with everything she had. She made contact with his thigh muscle, and he yelped as he pulled his mouth from hers. Before she could think she saw him raise his arm and take a swing. The blow to the side of her head instantly knocked her out.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The team was currently aboard a ship returning to Norfolk. They were about five to six miles offshore. The mission they were returning from was intense, but in the end, they were able to rescue the family of five. All of them could only hope that the next time the father decided to plan an adventurous vacation, he’d take their advice and hire a security detail, or better yet just stay away from dangerous areas.

  Potter was itching to get back home to Tenley and Alejandra. Being away was tough for him mentally, as their safety was constantly on his mind. However, he was able to set aside those thoughts once hi
s mission started. Being sidetracked out in the field could be deadly for not only himself but for the entire team. The only good thing that eased his mind was that Frost was there to keep an eye on the two most precious people to him on this earth.

  A knock sounded on the door, and the Captain of the ship entered. The team all stood at attention.

  “Gentlemen, I just got word from shore that your commander is awaiting your arrival dockside. You all know the drill, and under normal circumstances, even though you’d get priority to disembark, it is a process and takes some time. However, due to the nature of a hostage situation that warrants your presence, as soon as we dock, we are getting you off the ship ASAP.

  “A hostage situation?” Ace asked the Captain. Their jobs don’t allow them to operate on US soil, often. And if it did, it normally came down from a higher office than the Secretary of the Navy.

  “I wasn’t given any specifics. We should be ready in about twenty minutes to get you guys unloaded, so gather your gear and meet me on the quarterdeck.” With those words, the Captain left the room.

  “Who in the hell could’ve been taken that has us being called up here in the U.S.?” Skittles asked.

  Ace just shook his head. “Don’t know, man, but we’re about to find out. Let’s get our things and get up there.”

  Potter sighed as he gathered his things, knowing his reunion with his wife and daughter would be put on hold for the time being.

  ◆◆◆

  Potter sat in the black SUV as Derek explained everything he knew. Of all things he thought of hearing from his commander, hearing that it was his wife who was the person involved in the hostage situation was the last thing he expected.

  He was concerned for her well-being along with Frost’s after hearing he was shot in the process of trying to shield both Tenley and Alejandra.

  “So how exactly did all of this unfold?” Ace asked.

  “It appears that Miguel hadn’t left the country like we all thought after he had met with Tenley. He was getting tired of the FBI dragging their feet and decided he was going to put an end to Esteban himself. Can’t say I blame the man. He was trying to do the right thing and protect Tenley. Anyhow, word got back to Esteban that Miguel was nearby. So, Esteban and his goons set him up. They scheduled a meet up; however Miguel underestimated Esteban, and Esteban’s men ambushed Miguel before he got to Esteban. The FBI is fucking pissed off and are now looking for Esteban as well. They found out about the scheduled meet up about thirty minutes prior. Once they got there, a shoot-out took place between the FBI and Esteban’s men. The good news is during the shoot-out, Chaz was injured and taken into custody. The bad news is, Esteban got away. We must locate Tenley as soon as possible.”

  “And Miguel? What’s his status?” Stitch asked.

  Derek’s lips pressed firmed. “DOA”

  Potter could only look at his commander while he took in everything he was saying. This was bad. Esteban was going to want revenge. And even though Miguel was already dead, he wouldn’t blink an eye in harming Tenley.

  Fuck! Tenley…he didn’t even want to think what that bastard could be putting her through. She’d been through enough physically and emotionally.

  Potter met Derek’s gaze. “Potter, if you want to sit this one out, I understand,” Derek told him, but Potter gave him a look like he was joking.

  “Oh, you bet your ass I want in on this, Sir. This is my wife’s life on the line, and I sure as hell am not going to sit back like some pansy-ass.”

  “And that is why I need to make sure that your head is on straight. I don’t need one of you men going rogue and being a fucking vigilante.”

  “I understand, sir. We do this as a team.”

  Derek nodded his head. “Ok, let’s get to the scene and see what additional information we can find out. Frost is still there. His stubborn ass is refusing to go to the hospital until we get there. He has Alejandra with him. She won’t leave his side,” Derek looked at Potter. “I called Alex to have her meet us there so she can take care of Alejandra. Tink is coming with her, and he’ll take them back to his house.”

  Potter felt a little better knowing Tink would be with both Alex and Alejandra. Not that he didn’t have confidence in Alex to protect his daughter, but Tink was a retired SEAL and now the owner of his own security company. He was badass through and through, and it would take a lot to penetrate his defenses.

  He was getting antsy. His main focus was getting to the scene and getting to Alejandra to make sure she was okay. To have shots fired at her, then for her to see her Uncle Frost shot, followed by her mother being kidnapped. Jesus, she must be scared out of her mind. He ran a hand over his mouth and jaw.

  A minute later, they pulled into the parking lot and drove to where all of the emergency vehicles were parked. Before the driver could even get the vehicle in park, Potter was out the door and running toward the gurney Frost was laying on while he clutched Alejandra’s hand.

  Potter made eye contact with Frost, and Frost turned his head and said something to Alejandra, making her look his way. When she caught sight of him, he pumped his legs even harder to get to her. He wasn’t anticipating for her to take off running through the parking lot toward him. As she approached him, he could see the tears falling down her little red cheeks. But what she screamed out made him drop to his knees as she leaped into his arms.

  “Dadddddy!” She wrapped her little arms around his thick neck. She was crying and kept repeating the word ‘daddy,’ and Potter felt his heart grow double in size. He held her tightly as he rocked her and caressed her hair and told her that daddy was here, and she was fine. He even felt a tear slip out of his eye, but he didn’t give a shit who saw him cry. He kissed her head, and she loosened her hold on his neck and pulled back. Her nose, eyes, and cheeks were red from crying.

  “They took mommy.” She cried out, and Potter tried calming her down. After a few minutes of him sitting in the middle of the parking lot and rocking her, she finally stopped crying. He was so focused on her; he hadn’t realized that the guys had formed a protective circle around him and her.

  “Sweetie, look at me,” Potter tilted her face, so she was looking at him. “Daddy and your uncles are going to find mommy and bring her home.” He told her knowing damn well that whatever it took, he was going to bring Tenley home. He looked up at Ace. “What’s the plan?”

  “Derek’s talking with the investigators and Frost to get all of the details. They don’t look very happy that we’re involved, though. I’m still not sure how we were given the green light on this.”

  “I’m sure Derek had something to do with it. Especially since Frost was injured.” Irish said.

  “Alex is here.” Ace said, giving his head a nod in her direction as she and Tink ran toward them. She walked over to Ace and gave him a quick hug then proceeded to hug each team member.

  “Thanks for coming, Alex,” Potter said to her as he stood up with Alejandra in his arms. He must have jostled her as her eyelids fluttered open, and when she saw Alex, she smiled.

  “Hey, sweetie,” Alex said to the frightened girl as she caressed her hair.

  “Aunt Alex, I did that sack thingy you taught me.” Alex smiled at her. Potter could only wonder what Alex could have possibly taught her. It almost made him cringe.

  “What did your Aunt Alex teach you, exactly?” Potter asked her as he repositioned her, so she was sitting on his hip with her legs wrapped around him.

  “Oh!” Alex said before her face turned a nice shade of red.

  Potter turned toward Alex. “Alex, what did you teach my daughter?”

  “I remember the name now,” Alejandra said, tapping Potter on the cheek so he would look at her. “Daddy, Aunt Alex taught me the SACK ATTACK!” She proudly stated, and Alex started laughing.

  “The Sack Attack?” Potter asked questionably.

  “Yeah, it’s super easy,” She wiggled, so Potter set her down on her feet. “See, I’ll show you.” She walked over to Stitc
h, and before Alex could stop her, she swung her arm forward then back drilling Stitch right in the groin, making him grunt and sending him to his knees in pain.

  Alex looked at Stitch, who finally peeled his eyes open, and Stitch glared at Alex, but then he looked down at a smiling Alejandra. “You did good, kid.” That was about the extent of Stitch’s vocabulary. Potter threw his head back, roaring with laughter in which everyone else joined except for Stitch, who was now walking toward the ambulance, muttering about needing an ice-pack for his balls.

  Potter walked over to Alex and gave her a big hug. While doing so, his emotions got the best of him. This woman in his arms again was a lifesaver. If it wasn’t for her teaching his daughter that move, god only knows what they’d all be facing now. He whispered in her ear. “I owe you my life, Alex. If it weren’t for you, my little girl would have been taken along with Tenley. Thank you.”

  He pulled back and saw that it wasn’t just his emotions that needed to be put in check. Alex had tears rolling down her cheeks faster than she could wipe them away. She looked up at Potter. “I’ll watch over your little girl. You just go find Tenley and bring her home.”

  “That’s what I intend to do.”

  He bent down and opened his arms, and Alejandra ran into them willingly. “You did good, sweetie. What you did was brave, and I’m very proud of you.”

  “I love you, daddy.” She placed a kiss on his cheek. He closed his eyes and ingrained this moment in his memory. This was a day he would remember for the rest of his life. Not because his wife was kidnapped, and not because this was the first time his daughter called him ‘daddy,’ but it was also the first time she told him she loved him.

  He hugged her one last time and kissed her. “I love you too, sweetie. Now, Aunt Alex is going to take you back to Uncle Tink’s house, okay?”