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

37. Jenna

THIRTY-SEVEN

Jenna

The hum of the car engine fills the silence between us. Carter’s hand envelops mine, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my skin. The familiar streets of our town blur past the window, but I barely register them.

My mind races, replaying the events of the past few days in a never-ending loop.

The van.

The yacht.

Jonathan’s cruel smile.

Sophia’s betrayal and subsequent redemption.

It’s all too much.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Carter’s voice is soft—careful.

I shake my head, then pause. The weight of everything I’ve been through presses down on me, threatening to suffocate me.

“I can’t stop thinking about Max.”

“He’s a fighter. Just like you.” Carter’s hand tightens around mine. His jaw clenches, a muscle twitching beneath the skin.

“He was so brave.” My voice cracks. The memory floods back, vivid and painful. “When those men grabbed me, he just… He leaped at them. No hesitation. ”

The scene plays out in my mind: the snarl ripping from Max’s throat, the flash of his teeth, the deafening crack of the gunshot. His yelp of pain was so sharp and sudden it felt like a knife to my heart.

“I saw him fall.” My free hand clenches into a fist, nails digging into my palm. “There was so much blood. I thought... I thought he was gone.”

“Max would do anything to protect you.” Carter lifts our joined hands, pressing a gentle kiss to my knuckles. His eyes flick to mine, full of concern and love.

“How did you find him?” My voice trembles with lingering fear.

“I didn’t know where to look at first.” Carter’s jaw tightens, his eyes darkening with the memory. “But I had to find you. I searched your apartment, then your shop. I knew something was wrong, just felt it. When I couldn’t find you, I retraced the path you take when walking home. That’s when I found Max and your phone. I called Walt and he, of course, called Guardian HRS. That place is beyond incredible. By the time we took Max to the emergency vet, Guardian HRS had already mobilized Blake’s team. Mitzy was on the traffic cameras. She saw you being taken, then told us where to go. I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” He trails off, swallowing hard.

I squeeze his hand, encouraging him to continue.

“Walt helped me get Max to the vet. Malia stayed behind. She kept me updated while we were…” His knuckles whiten on the steering wheel. “While we were looking for you.”

The car falls silent again. I stare out the window, watching the world rush by. My mind drifts back to Sophia’s pale face and trembling hands.

“How did Sophia play into this?” Carter glances at me, his brow furrowing.

“She just—appeared. Out of nowhere.” I take a deep breath, the memory washing over me. “Walt was supposed to be on a date with Malia. She left early to get ready. I told him to leave, but he didn’t want to. Please don’t blame him for what happened. I made him go.”

“I don’t blame him. ”

“Well, I was closing up the café, and suddenly, there she was, looking like a ghost.”

“What do you mean?”

“She was so frail. Her clothes were rumpled and loose like she hadn’t changed in days. And her eyes…” I shudder, remembering the hollow, haunted look in Sophia’s gaze. “They were empty. Like all the life has been drained out of her.” My voice wavers, and I wrap my arms around myself, mirroring the way Sophia held herself.

“Her hands trembled. Her entire body shook. Her fingernails dug into her arms like she was trying to hold herself together. She looked so fragile.” When I look back at Carter, I see a mix of sorrow and determination in his eyes. “When she talked to me, it was like she was searching for something, anything to anchor her. Her entire body seemed to curl in on itself like she was trying to disappear.”

“What did she say to you?” Carter’s hand tightens on mine.

“She begged me for help. Said she’d escaped, that she needed somewhere to hide.” My voice cracks. “God, Carter, she looked so scared. I couldn’t turn her away.”

“You let her in.”

I nod, shame and anger warring inside me. “I thought I was helping her. I made her tea and tried to calm her down. She kept looking over her shoulder like she expected someone to burst in at any moment.”

“Then what happened?”

“She asked if we could go somewhere more private. Said she was afraid they’d find her if we stayed in the café.” I close my eyes, remembering the moment everything went wrong. “I suggested we go to my place. We were halfway there when?—”

“The van,” Carter finishes softly.

“Yeah.” I swallow hard. “I never saw it coming. One minute we were walking, the next—chaos. And Sophia, she just—changed. It was like a switch flipped. She went from terrified victim to... I don’t know. Resigned? Defeated? Ashamed? She knew what was coming. I thought I was helping her, you know.” The words tumble out before I can stop them. “Sophia. She looked so scared, so vulnerable. I never imagined…”

Carter’s thumb resumes its gentle circles on my hand. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“I was so angry when I realized.” Hot tears prick at my eyes. “When I saw her climb into that van. I wanted to hate her.”

“But you don’t?”

“How can I? After seeing what he did to her. How he used her. She didn’t have a choice.” I shake my head. The memory of Sophia’s broken expression on the yacht is seared into my mind.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block out the images, but they flood back with brutal clarity. “I saw fear in her eyes, the way she flinched whenever he came near. His touch was a weapon. His words poison. He didn’t just hurt her physically. He shattered her spirit, piece by piece.”

My voice breaks, and I clutch my arms tighter around myself as if trying to hold my own pieces together. “He paraded her in front of me, a twisted display of his control. Of what he would do to me. Sophia’s eyes were vacant. Like she’d given up hope. She didn’t fight; she just accepted what he did. It was terrifying.”

Tears sting my eyes, but I blink them back, refusing to let them fall. “How can I blame her for anything, knowing what she went through? He turned her into a shadow of her former self. She didn’t have a choice. She was as much a victim as I was, maybe even more.”

Carter’s grip on my hand tightens.

The memory of Jonathan’s cold eyes and cruel smile makes me shudder. Carter notices and pulls over to the side of the road. He turns to face me, both hands now holding mine.

I lean into him, burying my face in his chest. His arms wrap around me, solid and secure. For a moment, we just breathe together.

“Is Max really okay?” I mumble into his shirt. I don’t want to talk about Sophia anymore. My heart can’t take the brutality she endured .

“He’s tough, just like you.” Carter pulls back, his hand coming up to cup my cheek.

“Can we see him? Before we go home?” A watery laugh escapes me.

“Of course.” Carter starts the car again, pulling back onto the road. “He’ll be happy to see you.” As we drive toward the vet clinic, I lean my head against Carter’s shoulder. For the first time since this nightmare began, I feel safe.

Max is alive.

I’m safe.

We’re together.

Carter’s voice breaks the silence. “Maybe we stop at home first?” His thumb still traces circles on my hand, a gentle, soothing motion.

“Home?” I lift my head to look at him.

Home.

The way he says it, like it’s his too, sends a warm flutter through my chest. I want that.

I want us to have our home.

“Yeah,” he says softly, his eyes flicking between me and the road.

“But I want to see Max.”

“Max is still recovering from surgery.” Carter’s eyes flick toward me before returning to the road. “Malia’s with him, keeping an eye on things. I think you should take a warm shower and put on some fresh clothes. It might help you feel human again.”

I open my mouth to protest, but Carter continues, his voice soft but firm.

“That way, we can spend more time with Max without having to leave for these things. He’ll be more alert later too.”

Reluctantly, I nod. As much as I want to see Max right now, Carter’s right. I’m exhausted, sore, and probably look a mess. I nod slowly, the thought of a shower and clean clothes suddenly incredibly appealing.

“We’ll check on Max right after, I promise.” Carter squeezes my hand, a small smile tugging at his lips.

“Okay,” I whisper. “Home first. ”

“It won’t be long, I promise. Just a quick stop, then we’ll go see our boy.”

Our boy.

The words settle in my chest, warm and comforting. As Carter turns the car toward home—our home—another spark ignites in my heart.

The rest of the drive passes in a blur of streetlights and the rhythmic hum of the engine. Carter’s presence beside me is a steady anchor, keeping the lingering fear at bay. I’ll need to deal with my trauma, but I’ll do that—later.

The apartment door clicks shut behind us. The familiar surroundings are both comforting and surreal. Everything looks the same, yet nothing feels the same. Carter’s hand on the small of my back guides me gently forward.

“Let’s get you cleaned up.” His voice is low and soothing.

I nod, suddenly aware of how heavy my limbs feel and how every movement takes effort. Carter leads me to the bathroom, his presence steady and reassuring.

The hiss of the shower fills the small space as Carter turns the knobs, adjusting the temperature. Steam begins to rise, fogging the mirror and wrapping around us like a warm blanket. I stand there, swaying slightly, as Carter turns to me.

His hands are gentle as he helps me out of my clothes, his touch reverent, careful of my bruises and scrapes. My energy seems to evaporate with each layer removed until I’m standing bare, vulnerable, barely able to keep my eyes open.

Carter sheds his clothes quickly before guiding me into the shower. Hot water cascades over us, and I lean my forehead against the cool tiles, letting out a shaky breath.

Carter’s hands are on me again, gentle and sure, as they work shampoo through my hair. His fingers massage my scalp, and some of the tension in my body melts away. He works methodically, washing away the grime and fear infusing every pore.

The last of my strength fades as he runs the washcloth over my skin. A sob escapes me, then another, until I’m shaking with the force of them. Carter’s arms encircle me immediately, pulling me against his chest.

Holding me.

“I’ve got you,” he whispers into my hair. “I’ve got you.”

I cling to him, my face buried in the crook of his neck as the water beats down on us. Slowly, the sobs subside, replaced by bone-deep exhaustion and something else—a need to be closer, to feel alive.

I lift my head, meeting Carter’s gaze. His eyes are dark with concern, with love, and with a hunger that matches my own. Slowly, giving me every chance to pull away, he lowers his lips to mine.

The kiss is gentle at first, a reaffirmation of life and love.

His kiss is tentative as if he’s afraid I might break, but as the warmth of his body seeps into mine, something ignites within me—a hunger and desperate need to feel alive.

My hands slide up his chest, feeling the strong beat of his heart beneath my palms. I tangle my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer. Carter responds instantly, his arms tightening around me, molding my body to his.

The kiss deepens, becoming more urgent, more passionate. Carter’s tongue traces the seam of my lips, and I open to him with a soft moan. The taste of him, the feel of his skin against mine, it’s intoxicating. I lose myself in the sensation, in the heat building between us.

His touch is both soothing and arousing, and a familiar heat pools in my stomach. His lips brush against my neck, trailing feather-light kisses that send shivers down my spine.

“You’re so beautiful.” His voice is rough with desire.

Carter’s hands roam my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake, fanning the flames of my desire. He traces the curve of my spine, the swell of my hips, his touch both reverent and possessive. I arch into him, craving more, needing to be closer.

My nipples harden under his touch, and I can’t restrain the moan that escapes my lips. His touch sends electricity coursing through my veins, straight to my core, where the heat between my legs grows more insistent with each passing second. I need him—need to feel him inside me.

I reach for him, but Carter’s warm hands stop mine.

“Slow down.” He breathes into my ear, sending shivers down my spine. “I want to savor every inch of this body, but we can stop at any time.”

His fingers continue their agonizingly slow exploration of my body. His eyes never leave mine as he caresses the sensitive skin of my stomach before making his way up to cup my breasts.

My breath catches in anticipation as his thumbs tease my swollen nipples, causing me to arch my back, silently begging for more.

“I don’t want to stop.”

His response is a wicked grin before he lowers his mouth to my cleavage, nipping and sucking where he’d just been touching. He trails kisses down my stomach until my whole body is on fire.

Carter kneels in front of me, his eyes locked with mine. A shiver of anticipation runs down my spine, sending my heart racing. His breath is hot against my skin, each kiss more deliberate and tantalizing than the one before. I arch, offering myself to him.

With a gentle touch, he presses a kiss right where I’m most sensitive—that spot between my thighs that feels like it’s on fire with desire. The soft heat of his lips causes me to gasp again, and this time, it’s more of a moan than anything else.

He takes his time exploring with his tongue, dancing around my clit before finally circling it slowly and deliberately.

I throw my head back in pure ecstasy, feeling like I might explode from the sheer pleasure coursing through me. My fingers find their way into his hair as he devours me with his mouth, each lick and suck driving me further over the edge. I beg him without words, pleading for more as he works his magic on me.

Carter doesn’t disappoint; he slides two fingers inside of me and strokes in time with his tongue. The sensation is overwhelmingly intense but in the best way possible. I feel every stroke, as well as each swirl around my clit, as he continues to lavish attention on both areas simultaneously .

The shower fills with muffled noises of pleasure escaping from between my parted lips and gasping breaths while Carter feasts on me like a delicacy prepared just for him alone.

Carter works his magic between my legs, and my moans turn into cries when he finally brushes his thumb over my clit. The sensation causes undulating sensations throughout my entire body. I come apart, screaming out his name before crashing into an orgasm so powerful it leaves me shaken.

On his feet, he pushes me against the shower wall. His fingers dig into my hips. Carter lifts me, pinning me gently against the cool tiles. The contrast of temperatures—the heat of his body, the coolness of the wall—sends shivers down my spine.

I wrap my legs around him, feeling every ripple of his hard abs beneath my fingers. I draw him closer, needing him with an intensity that takes my breath away. My heart drums a rapid beat, each thump echoing the thrill and anticipation coursing through me.

He presses our bodies together, chest to chest, his hardness pushing against my curves. My breath hitches in my throat as he looks down at me with lust and adoration in his eyes. The water pours down around us, adding to the steam as we stand entwined under the hot spray.

His hands grip me firmly, holding me close as he gazes into my eyes with a look that makes my stomach flutter. His lips press against mine while he eases into me, thrusting deeper with each pulse of his hips.

Every inch of his thick length stretches me open. He takes it slow at first—savoring every moment—until he’s completely buried inside me.

We move together, creating sparks of electricity. I lose myself in the sensations—the slide of wet skin, the taste of him on my lips, the sound of our mingled breaths, and my soft moans echoing in the small space.

It’s overwhelming, all-consuming, and exactly what I need.

The tension builds, a coiling heat in my core that grows with each passing moment. Carter’s movements become more urgent, his grip on me tightening. I cling to him, my nails digging into his shoulders as I teeter on the edge of oblivion.

He shifts his angle, pressing deeper still, hitting that spot inside of me that sends waves upon waves of pleasure coursing through my body for the second time.

When I fall, it’s with Carter’s name on my lips, a cry of pleasure and release. He follows me over the edge, burying his face in my neck as he shudders against me.

The musky scent of arousal fills the air around us, mixed with the clean smell of soap—it’s intoxicatingly sensual and addictive all at once. We’re lost in each other completely—two souls connected by nothing but raw passion and primal desire for more than just physical release.

Each thrust, each caress, each whispered endearment is a promise. A vow that we’re here, we’re alive, and we’re together. It’s as if we’ve never been apart—every touch, every caress feels so right, so perfect.

Afterward, we stand together under the cooling water, our foreheads pressed together, just breathing. Carter’s hands stroke my back in soothing circles as I nuzzle into his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heartbeat.

For the first time since this nightmare began, I feel whole again, safe and loved. The horrors of my capture seem distant now, washed away by the strength of our connection and the depth of our love.

Carter’s hands continue their gentle exploration, no longer urgent with passion but tender with care. His fingers trace the outline of my face, brushing away stray droplets of water. I lean into his touch, savoring the warmth of his palm against my cheek.

“You’re beautiful,” he murmurs, his eyes roaming my face as if memorizing every detail. “I’m absolutely and totally captivated by you.”

Warmth creeps up my neck, heating my cheeks. Even after everything, he still has this effect on me. I stretch up on my toes, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “For everything. For finding me, for saving me, for being here for me. And I’m absolutely and totally captivated by you, as well.”

“I love you.” Carter pulls me closer, enveloping me in his strong arms.

“I love you more.” I rest my head on his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart.

We stand like that for a long moment, the cooling water cascading over us, neither willing to break the peaceful bubble we’ve created.

Eventually, Carter reaches behind me, shutting off the water. He grabs a towel, wrapping it around me before quickly drying himself off. His hands are gentle as he pats me dry, careful of the bruises that mar my skin. When he’s done, he pulls me into another embrace, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

“We should get dressed,” Carter murmurs eventually, pressing a soft kiss to my temple. “Max is waiting.”