CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Sinner
“MARK, STEP INTO my office,” my new boss, Cash Owens barked. He was the owner of Owens Protection and Security or OPS. He was a hard ass, but he had a great reputation in the area. I had talked with an old Army buddy that recommended I give him a call. The interview had gone well and he said he would get back to me after he talked with my old boss at Reed Security, so I assumed I was pretty much fucked. However, I was called the next day and offered a job. Either Sebastian wanted me gone so bad that he told Cash what he needed to or he told him the truth because he didn’t want to lie.
“Yes, sir,” I said as I stepped into his office.
“Enough of that bullshit. Call me Cash.”
“Alright.”
“Take a seat. I think we’ve done enough training with you to know which team you’ll fit in with best. I’ve assigned you to Team 3 with Bradford Kavanaugh, Eli Brant, and Red Warren. I still need to find one more guy for Team 2. You wouldn’t happen to know anyone else that wants to move to the west coast, would you?”
“No, sir. I’m pretty sure everyone from my former team is pretty happy where they are.”
“It’s a shame. I know Reed from my days in the military. He was a hell of a Captain. He trained you right.”
“With all due respect, sir, Special Forces trained me right. I learned everything I know from there. My skills in the field were tailored for close protection by Reed, but other than that, it was all the good ol’ US Army.”
“I’m sensing that there’s a little hostility between the two of you, but he had nothing but good things to say about your skills. Whatever happened there will stay there. For now, I have an assignment for you and your new team. We’ll meet in the conference room at 0900.”
I nodded and stood. “Is there anything else, sir?”
“Yeah, stop calling me sir.”
I nodded and went out to talk with my new team. They were currently in the weight room, so I changed and headed over to work out with them.
“Hey, Mark, did Cash give you a team yet?” Warren asked.
“Yeah, he stuck me with your ugly mug.”
“Thank God. I thought we were going to get stuck with Johnson. He came in to train with the team the other day. He was all over the place. I thought at one point that he was going to shoot my dick off.”
“Cap said we’re meeting in the conference room at 0900.”
“Cap? Hate to tell you but Cash was an enlisted Navy Seal.”
“Yeah, just used to calling my boss Cap.”
“Shit, guess I’d better finish my workout. I’ll catch you up there.”
He went back to his workout and I headed over to the treadmill for a run. I hadn’t even realized that I had called Cash ‘Cap’. In all honesty, I liked it here, but I missed my team. These were good guys and a lot of fun to be around. With time, it would probably feel like home.
I met the guys up in the conference room just before the scheduled meeting time. Most of them had all showered, but I was still in my workout clothes. I had lost track of time, trying to clear my mind and get in the right headspace for going out on another assignment.
“Alright, let’s get this meeting started. As I’m sure you’ve all figured out by now, Mark is now joining your team. Eli is in charge when in the field. He’s your commanding officer. Warren is your communications guy and Bradford is your weapons guy. That leaves you. You will be the close protection agent on most assignments.”
“Perfect,” I mumbled under my breath. I was always the close protection agent. I fucking hated it.
“I thought you’d like that. Nobody likes to be the close protection agent, but it just so happens that you fit the bill perfectly for this next one.”
He threw folders for each of us on the table. I flipped it open and shook my head immediately. “No, no way.”
“You got a problem with your assignment?”
“Yeah, I have a big fucking problem. Vanessa Adams? She was my last assignment at Reed Security. Let me guess, her dad just needs someone for a charity function or some bullshit?”
“No, he wants us to find her and bring her back. What the hell happened on your last assignment?”
“Let’s just say Victor Adams didn’t give us all the intel and one of my team members ended up in the hospital, unable to feel his legs.”
“Fuck,” Warren grumbled.
“Details,” Cash barked.
“We were on her detail for a charity function. According to Victor, her last detail was incompetent. We were stepping in with the idea that we would take over her detail if everything went well. Someone was at the function watching her, so we got out of there, but we came under fire when leaving. Reed tried talking to Victor about it and got the feeling that there was more to the story that he wasn’t being told. Then he contacted us later, saying that Vanessa had run away. Reed’s been digging into him, trying to get information, but the guy has a lot of connections. Whatever he’s hiding, it’s buried deep.”
“Shit, well doesn’t that just complicate things,” Cash said.
“Why is he contacting us? He lives on the east coast?”
“He said that she has friends out here and would most likely come this way. Shit. Alright, Eli, start planning this out while I get Reed on the phone. The rest of you get your instructions from Eli.”
He stood and stalked out of the room as Eli rubbed a hand over his face. “Fuck, let’s get to work.”
We spent the next hour going over logistics while I impatiently waited to hear what Reed had to say.
“Okay, we’re going ahead with the mission as planned,” Cash said as he walked back into the room. “The plans have changed though. It seems Victor has a few enemies that want to use Vanessa as a bargaining chip. Vanessa in exchange for a business deal. We don’t have the specifics at this moment, so I don’t know how accurate this information is. We’re going to go ahead with locating Vanessa, but when we find her, Mark will deliver her back to Sebastian at Reed Security where he’ll take over protection services. In case we’re being watched, we’ll have to have a female agent on standby to fill in for Vanessa so we can get her out of here safely. Any questions?”
“Will I be taking her by myself?”
“At this time, we think that’s the best option. We need to keep it low key. We may add one member to the detail, but we need to see what we’re up against first. I’ll have a packet put together for you by midday. Why don’t you head home and pack a bag. If she is where we think, you won’t have time to pack. I’ll have an SUV loaded when you get back.”
“Sounds good.”
When I got home, I quickly packed a bag with enough clothes for a week, not knowing how long I would actually be gone. I was just leaving a note for Vira when a knock sounded at the door. Looking through the peephole, I almost fell on my ass.
Cara stood on the other side of the door looking nervous as hell. Sean stood beside her with a blank look on his face.
“Cara, what are you doing here?” I asked as I opened the door.
Sean snarled at me, obviously not liking my reaction.
“Can I come in? I have some things I need to say.”
I stepped aside and allowed them to enter the apartment. Cara looked around, obviously wondering about who lived here. The decor was feminine and not at all my style.
“I’m staying with a friend until my apartment is available.”
Sean walked over to a trinket and studied it for a minute. “You’re staying with Vira?” he growled at me.
“Yeah, I needed a place to stay for a few weeks. I was the one that brought her out here.”
“Oh my God.” Cara covered her mouth with her fingertips. “Did you sleep with her?”
The door swung open and Vira stepped in, looking down in her purse. “Mark, are you home?”
Sean cleared his throat and Vira’s head snapped up. “Sean, what are you doing here?”
Then she saw Cara and raised an eyebrow. “Are we having a reunion?”
Cara gripped her stomach. “Please, Mark. Tell me you didn’t sleep with her.”
I snapped. She had shoved me out the door and now she thought she could dictate who I slept with?
“What’s it matter to you? Apparently, that’s the only thing I’m good for.”
Cara blanched and Vira muttered under breath, “Not at the moment.”
“Shut the fuck up, Vira.”
“What?” she glanced at me in confusion. “Don’t you think it would do Cara some good to know that you’re not exactly at the top of your game right now?” She turned to Cara in a conspiratorial whisper. “Worst sex I’ve ever had. When he brought me out here over a year ago, we knocked boots and let me tell you, that was earth shattering sex.”
Sean clenched his teeth and shook his head.
“Vira, I think you’ve said enough-” I started, but Vira interrupted me.
“When he fucked me this time, couldn’t even get it up all the way.”
“Vira!”
Cara turned bright red and glanced quickly in my direction.
“You would think the man was a fifteen year old boy the way he was awkwardly grabbing my pussy and tits.”
“Christ, Vira. Would you shut the fuck up. I think you made your point.”
“It was over before it started, mostly because I just wanted it to end. I faked an orgasm and he never came. I doubt you could even classify it as sex.”
I grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to her room. “Just stay in there and don’t come out unless it’s quiet. I think you’ve said enough.”
“Baby, I just told her exactly what she needed to hear,” she whispered and shot me a wink.
I slammed the door shut and rested my head against the door frame.
“Seriously? Why Vira? Why does every man I know have to fall for her?” Cara asked. “Does she have a magic pussy or something?”
“Apparently not.” Sean chuckled, but Cara shot him a nasty look. “What? If it was magical, don’t you think Sinner would have gotten it up?”
Kill me now. “Can we stop talking about this? I have to get to work.”
“Wait. I need to say something first, although maybe I’m too late.” Cara chewed on her lip as she stared at the floor.
“Say what you need to say and go. I’m expected at work.”
“Mark, I just flew across the country with my anxiety ridden sister so she could talk to you. Give her a fucking break.”
I sat down at the kitchen table and waited for her. Sean went to sit in the living room and pretended to read a magazine.
“I came to say I’m sorry. I was wrong for putting everything on you when you were just trying to protect me.”
“And it took you over a fucking month to figure that out?”
“No, I went to the doctor and had her put me on anxiety medication. I knew that I needed more help and while you were helping me overcome my fears, it became obvious that I wouldn’t be able to work through all my issues on my own. I wanted to come talk to you sooner, but I had to give the medication time to work its way into my system.”
“So, now you’re all better.” I stated sarcastically.
“No, but I’m trying to be better because you deserve someone that wants your help, but is capable of doing it on her own.”
“I never asked you to do it on your own. I was perfectly happy with the way things were. I was happy with you the way you were.”
“I realize that, but I wasn’t. If I always had to rely on someone else to make me better, I didn’t stand a chance of ever actually being better. I needed to do this for me, to prove to myself that I could beat my demons, but I’ve also learned that it’s okay to let people in. After you left, I told Sean everything, and you were right, he’s been great. I wish that I had figured that out sooner, but it is what it is.”
I wasn’t sure what to say. I was proud of her and part of me wanted to pull her in and kiss her silly, but a large part of me felt completely rejected by her still. I had been so sure of her, but she hadn’t been sure of me. Did I want someone that had to think about whether or not I was good enough?
I stood and grabbed my bag. “I’m glad you’re better, Cara. I have to get back to work now.”
I didn’t dare tell her that I would be heading back her way. I didn’t want to give her hope.
“Oh.” She glanced at Sean and jerked her chin toward the door.
“That’s it? We flew all the way out here so you could give up after five minutes?” Sean asked Cara.
“Let’s just go.”
“No, Sinner you are one dumb mother fucker. Do you know how hard it was for her to get on a fucking plane even with her medications?”
“Sean, stop.” Cara was pulling on his sleeve, but he tore his arm away and stepped toward me and shoved me.
“There are extenuating circumstances here. It’s not like she just decided you weren’t good enough for her.” He shoved me again. “She needed to get her shit together and when she did, she came right to you.” Another shove. “Do you know that you’re the only one that has ever been able to see her for who she really is? Do you know how scary it’s been for her to live her life like that?” Another shove, but this time I grabbed him quickly and in two seconds had him on his belly on the ground as I wrenched his hand up behind his back.
“Yeah, I fucking realize that and she still threw me away. She told me I was only good for fucking. Now you tell me if you would stick around for more of that shit? I lost my fucking job defending her!” I roared. Sean stopped struggling under me and Cara let out a gasp. Feeling like a total asshole, I released Sean and picked up my bag. Sean stood and rubbed his shoulder. “I’ll drop you both at the airport.”
I slung my bag over my shoulder and walked out the door. I waited in the hall until they both stepped out and followed me downstairs to my truck. We drove in silence toward the airport. It was uncomfortable as fuck, but I just kept telling myself that it wouldn’t be too much longer and they would be gone. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I quickly pulled it out, answering immediately when I saw it was Cash.
“Cash, I’m on my way back-”
“She just ran out of the friend’s house. Where are you?”
“About three minutes from that location.”
“Get over there and pick her up. She’s got company. Don’t come back here. Head for Reed Security and call when you’re clear. We’ll set up to switch vehicles.”
“On it.” I didn’t have time to tell Cash that I had two passengers with me. I took the next turn, barely keeping the truck on all four wheels as I took the corner. After taking another corner, I saw a woman running down the street up ahead. I knew immediately it was Vanessa. “Do you have a weapon on you, Sean?”
“No, what the fuck are you getting us into?”
“We’re going in hot. There are spare guns under the bench seat. Cara, get your ass down on the floor and don’t come up until I tell you to.”
Sean climbed into the backseat and I heard rustling as he got several weapons loaded. I sped up when I saw a car swerve around a corner and head right for her. I turned the wheel quickly, spinning the truck in front of her to block the other vehicle.
“Sean, get the door.” He quickly flung it open as Vanessa screeched to a halt. She looked panicked until she saw my face. “Get in the truck!”
She quickly obeyed my orders and slammed the door as I pushed her to the floorboards. I quickly threw the truck in reverse and then back in drive just as the other car opened fire on the truck. I hunched over as the driver side window shattered. Sean opened the rear window and fired at the other vehicle as I tore down the street. A pick up truck was not the best getaway vehicle, but I didn’t have a choice at the moment.
“Any idea who that is?”
Vanessa shook her head as she trembled on the floor. “He showed up at my friend’s apartment. I just barely made it out the window. Sinner, he was at the fundraiser.”
I clenched my jaw in irritation. What the hell was going on? I swerved in an out of traffic until I came across a parking garage. I turned suddenly inside and made my way across to the exit on the other side. When I quickly exited, I saw no sign of the other vehicle.
“Sean, you see that motel up ahead?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m going to drop you and the girls off there and ditch the truck.” I pulled out a wad of cash and shoved it at him. “If I’m not at the hotel in one hour, you call my boss, Cash, and tell him what happened. He’ll get you all back to Pennsylvania. Vanessa needs to get to Sebastian.”
Looking at Vanessa, I smiled and jerked my chin at Sean. “You can trust him. Just do what he says, okay?” She nodded and I quickly turned into an alley behind the motel. The three of them scrambled out of the truck and I quickly drove off. I didn’t want to leave my truck just anywhere, but it would be better if someone stole it.
I drove through the shadier part of the city when I spotted an old warehouse by the lake. Pulling out onto the road, I heard the roar of an engine and snapped my head to the side. An SUV was barreling down on me, so I stepped on the gas to get out of the way, but the SUV changed direction and slammed right into the side of the truck. The tires hit the curb and the truck immediately started rolling over the sidewalk and down the steep embankment. My body was jerked around until the truck finally stopped driver’s side down in the water.
My vision blurred a little, meaning I had most likely hit my head. As I blinked the spots from my eyes, I could see the truck rapidly filling with water.
Okay, deep breath. Unbuckle your seat belt, and get the fuck out of here.
I hit the release button but nothing happened. As I looked down, I couldn’t see what was jamming the belt. I tried to reach my ankle strap that I had attached earlier for my knife, but the belt was pulled tight against my chest.
“Fuck!” I slammed my hand against the steering wheel as the water was seconds from covering my head. Grasping, I felt something sharp on the side of my seat and realized it was the window punch that I kept under my seat. It must have come out when we rolled. Taking a deep breath, the water covered my head as I worked to cut through the strap of my seat belt. Spots started to appear in front of me as my oxygen started to dissipate. My lungs burned as I made the final cut through my strap and got to work on the passenger side window. My body started to suck in air in reaction to the lack of oxygen. The window broke and I pushed my way in one violent thrust toward the surface, but I never made it before I sucked in a lungful of water and everything went black.