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

39. Carter

THIRTY-NINE

Carter

We all know how fragile Sophia is and how traumatized her experiences have made her, but we also know that her insights could be crucial.

“I’ll get her,” Blake volunteers, his voice tight with barely concealed protectiveness.

I do a double take because I’ve never seen Blake act like this before.

As he leaves to fetch Sophia, the rest of us rearrange ourselves, preparing for what promises to be a difficult debriefing. I can’t help feeling a twinge of guilt, knowing we’re about to ask Sophia to relive her worst nightmares.

I did that to Jenna and experienced the fallout firsthand.

Minutes later, the door opens. The briefing room falls silent as Sophia enters. Blake is close behind, protecting her.

Her shoulders are hunched, and her gaze darts nervously around the room. Blake’s posture is rigid, and his eyes scan each person as if assessing potential threats.

The tension in the room ratchets up another notch as Sophia takes her seat at the table. We’re all acutely aware of the delicate balance we’re trying to strike—between getting the information we need without further traumatizing a victim of Sentinel’s cruelty.

Ethan speaks first, his voice gentle but probing. I steel myself for what’s to come. Whatever Sophia has to tell us, I have a feeling it’s going to change everything.

“Sophia,” Ethan begins gently, “can you tell us more about the Ninth Sentinel’s operations? You mentioned he allowed you to stay in place during business dealings.”

“He—he thought I was broken. Harmless.” Sophia’s hands tremble slightly as she speaks. “He’d leave me in the room during meetings, on phone calls. I heard—so much.”

Blake’s hand comes to rest on her shoulder, a gesture of support and protection. Sophia draws strength from it, sitting up a little straighter.

“There were frequent calls about shipments. Girls, mostly, but sometimes weapons or drugs. He used code words, but I started to understand them over time.”

Sophia pauses, her eyes meeting mine for a brief moment. “A few weeks ago, there was a call about a new acquisition. It was a new order for four girls. Jonathan seemed—excited about them. Said they were perfect retribution.”

“Retribution?” I lean forward. “Retribution for what?”

“I don’t know, but he was really excited.” She pauses for a moment, darkness hooding her eyes. “Not in a good way. He’s a sadist. A wicked man. If he said retribution , he meant that he wanted to hurt someone. I don’t know how, but those girls are somehow connected. I’m sorry, but I don’t know anything more than that.”

“Why wait?” A sudden thought strikes me.

“Excuse me?” Sophia blinks slowly, shifting her attention to me.

“He abducted the girls weeks before putting them on the yacht.”

“No. They were there the whole time.”

The whole time? I didn’t see where the girls were kept, but it was on one of the lower decks. I couldn’t imagine their terror.

“Why didn’t he move them sooner? They’re a liability.”

She looks up at Blake, then curls into herself. The entire room waits, giving her breathing room and time to think. She finally takes a deep breath, her fingers twisting together nervously, and looks at me.

“He was waiting.” Her voice trembles. “He had orders to hold. Malfor… Malfor told him to wait.”

“Wait for what?” Ethan leans in, his brow furrowing.

“For Jenna,” Sophia whispers, her voice barely audible. “Jonathan didn’t know the exact reason at first. Malfor just ordered him to wait. He found out later that it was because of Jenna. Capturing her would be a huge win for him, a personal vendetta against the one who got away.”

A chilling picture emerges.

“He was waiting for Malfor’s go ahead. It was all about timing and making the most of his prize . He spent a week watching her café, establishing her routines. Who knew her, and who would care if she disappeared. He hated you.” Sophia once again stares at me. “And then he noticed she was being guarded—and protected.” She sniffs. “That’s when he devised his plan and told me what I had to do.” Tears fall, and she swipes absently at her cheeks. “I couldn’t refuse. I had no choice.”

“No one is blaming you, Sophia.” Blake places a hand on her shoulder, giving a reassuring squeeze. “We understand you were forced.”

“That’s right.” I step in, needing to reassure Sophia that none of us blame her for what happened to Jenna.

A heavy silence fills the room as we process Sophia’s revelation. The Ninth Sentinel’s cruelty and meticulous planning are more horrifying than I imagined.

“I just want it to be over.” Sophia’s eyes flicker with relief, and her shoulders sag with exhaustion.

“I wish we had taken him when we rescued the women.” My mind races with this added information. “We should’ve taken him during the rescue.”

“We would have.” CJ pushes back in his chair. “But we weren’t prepped for that, and by the time we could, they’d already fixed their engines and powered into international waters. ”

The Ninth Sentinel’s strategy is clear—he’s a predator, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

“I wouldn’t worry about him,” Sophia speaks up.

“Why not?”

“Malfor doesn’t tolerate failure. He’ll be taken care of, one way or another.” Silence falls over the room as we absorb Sophia’s words.

“Thank you, Sophia. You’ve been incredibly brave and given us crucial information,” Ethan finally breaks the silence. “Blake, do you mind escorting her back to medical?”

“Sure thing.” Blake offers a hand to help Sophia out of her chair, then hovers protectively beside her as they exit the briefing room. Once the door closes, Forest clears his throat.

“This is bigger than we thought.” Forest’s voice is grave. “Nine Sentinels, each controlling a different aspect of global criminal operations. Disrupters. That’s what she called them. We’re talking about an organization with unprecedented reach and resources.”

“Not to mention Malfor,” Mitzy adds. “A master pulling all the strings.”

The discussion continues with plans being formed and discarded as we grapple with what we’re facing.

“If Malfor’s going after the Ninth Sentinel,” Forest says, “we need to act fast. We can’t let him get to Jonathan Greaves before we do.”

“Agreed,” Ethan’s voice remains steady. “If we offer Greaves protection, maybe we can get him to flip on Malfor and the entire operation. It’s a long shot, but it might be our best chance to understand this network and how it works.”

A lull settles over the conversation, the weight of the discussion hanging in the air. Sam and CJ break off from the briefing and approach me, their expressions serious.

“Carter, got a moment?” Sam’s voice breaks the silence.

“Sure, what’s up?” I shift my focus to them.

“We’re impressed with how you handled yourself with Charlie team.” Sam crosses his arms, a hint of a smile playing on his lips .

“Thanks, but I was just doing my job.” I straighten, feeling a surge of pride.

“You did more than just your job,” Sam insists, his gaze unwavering. “You kept a cool head under pressure, and that’s not something everyone can do.”

“Thanks.” I pause, glancing around at the impressive setup. “I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to be part of this.”

CJ steps forward, his eyes steady on mine. “Carter, your detective skills are exactly what we need. Your instincts, your ability to think on your feet—those are invaluable. Training can be provided, but what you bring to the table is something special. You’d make a great addition to our team.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m not trained like the others.” I shake my head, cutting him off. “It was great to be included, but I lack essential skills. Plus, I want to be there for Jenna.”

I’ve always felt like I’ve lived in Blake’s shadow. He became a US Navy SEAL while my life got sidelined by a pregnancy scare for a baby that wasn’t even mine. I did the right thing: stepped up, got a job, missed my chance with the Navy, and then found out it was all for nothing.

But I landed well.

I love being a detective. I’ve never regretted the path I landed on, and I’m good at my job—damn good. My brain loves the challenge of putting the pieces of a puzzle together and breaking a case. Being included in these missions with Blake was eye-opening. I saw what he does, and it’s incredible, but that’s not the life I want for myself.

Sam and CJ exchange a look, a silent conversation passing between them.

“What about joining as a Protector?” Sam’s voice is earnest.

“A Protector?” I frown, confused.

CJ leans in, his tone serious. “Protectors are our personal protection specialists. The threat to Jenna is still out there, and after what Sophia said and your reaction, it’s clear there are unresolved pieces to your investigation surrounding why those girls were chosen. You could be Jenna’s Protector and continue to work on this case. It’s a way to stay involved without the intensive combat training our field operatives undergo.”

“You mean I’d get access to all this amazing tech? I’ve been wanting that since I saw your setup.” I smirk, a thought crossing my mind.

“We’ve got great tech, the best in the world, and our operatives are top notch.” Sam chuckles, glancing at CJ before turning back to me. “What we struggle with is finding good men—and women. Please don’t tell Mitzy I said men , she’ll have my hide. What I mean is we can always use strong operatives. We need you on our team.”

The idea hangs in the air, and I weigh it carefully. Being close to Jenna, ensuring her safety, and continuing to work on the case—it’s tempting. I look between Sam and CJ, searching their faces for any sign of doubt. They both seem confident, and their belief in my abilities bolsters my own.

“The Ninth Sentinel is still out there. As long as he’s alive, Jenna’s at risk. But if Malfor gets to him first and kills him, the risk to Jenna remains.”

CJ nods, his voice grave. “Malfor offered Jenna as a prize to the Ninth Sentinel. Until Malfor is brought down, her life will always be in jeopardy.”

“So, what are you saying?” The weight of their words hits me like a ton of bricks. “That she needs to go into protective custody?”

“Exactly,” Sam says, his tone somber. “Her life isn’t going to be able to continue the way it is. She needs protection, and that’s where you come in. As her Protector, you can ensure her safety 24/7.”

The thought of Jenna having to live her life under constant guard makes my heart ache. She’s already been through so much.

“And you think I’m the right person for this?”

“You’ve got the training and the skills.” CJ steps closer, his hand resting on my shoulder. “You’ve already proven yourself, and you care about her. That’s what she needs right now—someone who’s not just doing a job but truly invested in her well-being. Not to mention, we get the added benefit of your detective skills. You want access to our tech? It’s yours.”

“Okay. I’m in.” I take a deep breath, letting their words sink in. “ I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe, but who’s going to break the news to Jenna?”

“Sounds like the perfect job for her Protector.” Sam huffs a laugh. “But seriously, we’ll walk you through the program. She’s going to have questions.”

“Welcome to the Guardians and Protectors.” CJ extends a hand. Relief is evident in his voice.

The thought of being Jenna’s Protector, of being there for her in every way, stirs something deep within me. Maybe this is the path I’m meant to take, but it’s a big step, one that will change everything.

As they walk away, I shake my head, pushing thoughts aside for now. Right now, I have more immediate concerns—plans to make, operations to coordinate, and Jenna to protect.

Speaking of, I need to tell Jenna her life’s about to change.