Jenna’s Protector (Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists: CHARLIE Team #4)

35. Carter

THIRTY-FIVE

Carter

“Here?” Blake approaches Sophia. “Where?”

“Down below somewhere.” She shakes her head. “But the safe. The information—it’s all in there. Where they’re to be taken, who buys them. Everything.”

“Carter,” Ethan warns, “we’re on a clock here.”

“We need what’s in that safe,” I say. “It’s got intel on God knows how many others.”

“Do it fast.” Ethan activates his comms. “All units, listen up. We’ve got a new development. Carter’s four missing girls are on the yacht, sequestered somewhere below. Gabe and Hank abandon the bridge and prioritize locating those girls. Alpha, assist as able. Time is critical, people. Move out.”

After weeks of dead ends and false leads, I finally have a chance at saving those girls. My heart races with excitement, but my mind remains focused.

As a detective, I understand the gravity of what’s in that safe. The information could be critical to rescuing so many other girls.

We can’t afford to leave it behind. I trust the team to find the missing girls. They’re the best at what they do and won’t disappoint me. I turn my attention to Sophia .

“Show us the safe. Quick.”

Sophia leads us to a massive abstract painting that probably sells for more than I make in a year. Blake and I carefully remove it, revealing a sleek, high-tech safe built into the wall.

“Shit.” Blake’s eyes widen as he examines the safe. “Retinal scanner. We can’t crack this.”

“Maybe we can.” I glance at the unconscious man on the floor, an idea forming in my head.

“Do it.” Ethan nods grimly, understanding dawning on his face.

Blake and I move to the unconscious man. On Ethan’s signal, we grip his arms and hoist him up. His body is dead weight, his limbs flopping like spaghetti, and it takes all our strength to maneuver him.

“Christ, he’s heavy,” Blake grunts as we awkwardly maneuver the body toward the safe.

We prop him up against the wall, his head lolling to one side. Ethan grimaces as he gently pries open the man’s eyelid with his thumb and forefinger.

“Little more.” Ethan struggles, trying to angle the man’s head toward the scanner, but nothing happens. “Shit. Blake, hold his other eye open.”

Blake complies, his face a mask of concentration. We must look ridiculous—three grown men wrestling with an unconscious body like some macabre puppet.

“Steady.” Ethan tries to position the man’s face as I bear the brunt of the man’s weight.

The scanner beeps once, twice, then flashes green. A soft hiss sounds as the seal breaks.

We lower the man back to the floor, and I turn to the safe. Inside, we find stacks of documents, hard drives, and bundles of cash.

“Holy shit.” I flip through pages of names, dates, and locations.

“Grab it all.” Ethan’s eyes harden as he surveys the contents. “Every last scrap.”

The scale of this operation is bigger than I ever imagined .

A crackle comes through the comms. “ Gabe here. We found all four girls. They’re in rough condition, but alive. ”

Relief floods through me.

We have Jenna.

We have the girls.

We have intel.

This mission is turning out better than I dared to hope.

“Good job,” Ethan replies. “Get them ready for extraction.”

“ Copy that, ” Gabe responds.

“Exfil in five,” Ethan’s voice crackles over the comm. “Wrap it up. Let’s move. Time to get out of here.”

We stuff everything into waterproof bags.

“There are thumb drives and external drives—you need to take those, too.” Sophia points to the desk.

We sweep through the room, gathering every scrap of potential evidence. It’s a goldmine of information, and I can only imagine what it will reveal about the scope of this operation.

“Rigel,” Ethan speaks into his comm, “status on the engines?”

“Almost there.” Rigel’s voice returns through the comms. Seconds later, the vibrations from the engines stop. “Disabled. This yacht isn’t going anywhere.”

“Good. Meet us at the stern.”

Gunfire erupts from above.

“Time to go.” Ethan makes a circling gesture, telling us to wrap things up. Blake grabs Sophia, and Ethan grabs the waterproof bags full of the safe’s contents. I fold Jenna into my arms.

“Ready?”

“No.” She tucks her head beneath my chin, hugging me tight. “But I trust you.”

“Stay close.” I take her hand and place it on my belt at the small of my back. “Don’t let go.”

We move through the yacht, our progress slower now with Jenna and Sophia. As we near the deck, we encounter two more guards. This fight is quicker, our urgency lending speed to our blows.

Finally, we emerge onto the rear deck and swim platform. The night air is thick with salt spray and tension. Our inflatable boat bobs below. Bravo team closes in and continues to provide cover from their position away from the boat.

Moments later, the other four members of Charlie team arrive with the four missing teenagers. The girls are beaten, battered, and bruised, their eyes wide with fear, filled with a glimmer of hope, yet they’re also in shock, their expressions vacant and bodies trembling.

Alpha team appears next, moving with precision and urgency.

We gather at the stern, the two RIBs waiting below, barely able to contain our numbers.

“Max, you take the four girls.” Ethan gives commands. “It’s going to be cramped, but we need to get everyone out safely.”

“Ladies first.” I help Jenna and then Sophia into the boat.

Once they’re safely aboard, the rest of us follow. I keep Jenna close, trying to shield her from the wind and spray. Blake does the same for Sophia.

The teenagers are helped into the second RIB, and Alpha team ensures they’re as comfortable as possible given the circumstances.

“Go, go, go!” Ethan yells once we’re all onboard.

The engines roar to life, and we speed away from the yacht. Bravo team’s RIB pulls up alongside Alpha team’s boat.

“We’ve got space if you need it.” Brady’s voice carries over the noise of the waves and the engines. Two of the men from Alpha team transfer over.

As we head toward the shore, I allow myself a moment to breathe. I look down at Jenna, huddled against my chest. Her eyes meet mine, filled with exhaustion, relief, and something else—something that makes my heart skip a beat.

“I knew you’d find me.” Her voice is barely audible over the roar of the engine and the splash of waves. I tighten my grip and take a breath.

She’s safe.

The shore looms ahead, and the lights of emergency vehicles are visible even from this distance. As we near the beach, several figures wait for us: Guardian HRS personnel and local law enforcement.

We slow as we approach the shallows. The moment the bottom of the boat scrapes against the sand, I scoop Jenna into my arms and leap into the knee-deep water. Behind me, there are splashes as the others follow suit.

Paramedics rush to meet us, blankets at the ready.

Not paramedics but medical personnel from Guardian HRS. Skye Summers takes Jenna from my arms.

“We’re going to take good care of her.” Skye soothes with her calming voice. “I promise.”

I watch as they wrap her in a blanket and guide her toward a waiting ambulance. Sophia receives the same treatment. Blake hovers protectively over Sophia and, like I was with Jenna, doesn’t appear to want to let her go.

“Carter.” CJ pulls me away. He stands with a group of stern-faced men, and one woman, in suits—FBI, if I had to guess.

He introduces the agents. “Carter, meet Special Agent Lawson, Agent Harris, and Agent Reynolds from the FBI. This is Detective Carter, lead on this case.”

Lead? I stand straighter, a swell of pride and gratitude washing over me. Guardian has been a powerhouse, and to have CJ acknowledge me in front of these federal agents is a significant validation of my work.

“We’ve been briefed on your situation,” Agent Lawson says. “And we’re here to help in any capacity.” He turns toward CJ. “We understand this case has significant ties to—other ongoing investigations.”

I haven’t a clue what those are, but know better than to turn down help of any kind. Fortunately, CJ speaks up. “If you would accompany us to Guardian Headquarters, it would be best to debrief as a group.”

“What about the yacht?” I look to CJ. “We need to send people out and apprehend them.”

CJ and the Federal agents exchange a look. CJ clears his throat. “Unfortunately, they’re in international waters. We don’t have authority…”

I look to the team from the FBI who nod.

“Well, shit.” I run a hand through my hair .

“Don’t worry. Mitzy will track them.”

I cast one last glance at Jenna, realizing I won’t be able to ride back with her.

She’s safe.

That’s what matters.

Everything else can wait.

Before joining the others in a van to head back to Guardian HQ, I make my way to the rescued girls. Seeing them here, safe, after working their cases for weeks, fills me with an overwhelming sense of relief and responsibility.

I clear my throat, drawing their attention. “Hi, I’m Detective Carter. I’ve been working on each of your cases for some time now, trying to find you and bring you home. You don’t know me, but I know each of you. I’ve been staring at your pictures every day, hoping for this moment.”

Emma Collins, Sarah Turner, Emily Hayes, and Grace Bennet, the smiling photos I’ve memorized don’t match the haunted faces before me. The girls look at me with wide eyes, their expressions a mix of shock, exhaustion, and lingering fear. Their bodies are battered, bruised, and visibly shaken, their eyes wide with the terror they’ve endured and a glimmer of hope that it might finally be over.

I kneel to their level, my voice soft and steady. “First and foremost, we’re going to take care of you. You’ll be taken to a secure facility to get medical attention and rest. After that, we’ll talk. I’ll contact your families or whoever you want.”

All four come from broken homes. They may not want their families notified—at least not at first. Severe trauma can often be a catalyst for repairing broken bonds, but I understand that they need time to process.

Tears well up in their eyes, and a few of them nod, the reality of their rescue slowly sinking in.

“You’ve been through so much, but it’s over now.” I reach out, gently touching Emma’s shoulder. “You’re safe with us. We’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”

What I don’t say, or maybe I did in my tone, is that they’re far from safe. Jenna’s abduction proves that the men who took them are still out there, and they might try to take them again. Their safety isn’t guaranteed, but at least for now, they’re out of immediate danger.

I stand, casting one more reassuring look at each of them before approaching the ambulance where Jenna and Sophia sit, both wrapped in blankets. My heart clenches seeing Jenna so worn out yet safe. I take her hand in mine.

“I have to debrief with the team,” I say softly. “But I’ll see you as soon as I’m free.”

“Be safe.” Her fingers tighten around mine.

“I will.” I lean in, gently kissing her and pulling her into a tender embrace. “I’ll be back soon.”

She nods, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. As I pull away, the warmth of her touch lingers on my skin. With one last glance, I join the others, ready to finish what we started.

I follow Ethan toward a waiting van. My mind is already racing ahead. The information we recovered from the yacht could be the key to bringing down this entire trafficking ring. I’m eager to get my hands on it and dig in.

But it’s not over—not by a long shot. Whoever is behind this is still out there. The fight isn’t over. It’s only just begun.