Finding Alexia: Delta Force Guardians Novel

By Jennifer Becker

Tony “Minnow” Baitcaster loves nothing more than being a Delta Force Operative. An unfortunate accident while camping and attempting to overcome PTSD leads Tony back to the only woman he’s ever loved.

Alexia Monroe isn’t happy to see Tony in her ER. She can’t forgive the way he ended this between them. Now that Tony sees her again old feelings flare up. Will they give their love a second chance or will Tony push her away again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Publishdrive
• Release date: Jun 12, 2018

Book preview

Epilogue

Chapter One

Sergeant Tony Minnow Baitcaster took a deep relaxing breath after he and his friends, Dale Kirkpatrick and TJ Hagerman set up camp in the Government Canyon State Natural Area, forty minutes outside of San Antonio. Dale worked in law enforcement as a detective for the San Antonio police department, and TJ was a fireman at Station 21. The only one missing from their group was Barry Snow, a Park Ranger. They had all met a few years ago through TEXSAR, a local search and rescue program. Tony he had assisted in a rescue of a little girl in the mountains.

Whenever they all had time off, the group of them would go camping together. Barry couldn’t make it this trip, due to work, but promised the next time. It wasn’t the same without the four of them together, as Barry usually played referee between Dale and TJ, but it was still nice to get out and enjoy nature. Though currently his peace and quiet was disrupted by Dale and TJ arguing over who had more saves in their career. It was an age-old argument between the two of them. Who was better. Fireman or cop? No one ever won, but it never stopped them from trying. And Tony just learned to tune them out.

This wasn’t a typical camping trip for Tony. He had an ulterior motive for getting his friends together. It was to help him overcome a personal challenge. One he didn’t want to burden his military friends with. They had all been through enough with all the recent missions and trying to stop an international trafficker, Alejandro Ferrera. They had rescued hostages from him in Panama, then he came after another Delta Force team in California. A few of the team members including their leader, Bulldog assisted the team a second time, but once again Alejandro escaped, only to be finally stopped shortly after.

If that wasn’t enough Bulldog had finally found love only to almost lose her to her ex when he tried drowning her. It was after that rescue that Tony’s personal problems went from minor to major. Yeah, he couldn’t burden his friends with his issues right now. He needed someone else to help him. He was hoping it would be these guys. They may not know what he did for a living, but he was hoping their outsider perspective would be the key to him overcoming his problems.

He was suffering from PTSD, and he feared he would jeopardize his teammates if he didn’t fix it quick. He was getting flashbacks of an old mission at odd times, he would get severe headaches and shakes. He started seeing the base therapist a few months ago, and Tony had told his therapist about the camping trips. His therapist strongly encouraged him to go on a trip after everything seemed to get worse after they rescued Catherine, Bulldog’s girlfriend, thinking it would help him get outside his work environment. Commander Jones, his direct supervisor, approved him to take a few weeks off.

And so, Tony arranged the camping trip with TJ and Dale. Because it was last minute, they could only get away for the weekend. He hoped the change of pace would get rid of the headaches and flashbacks. If anything, he just hoped it would help him get his head on straight and get back to work. He loved being in the Delta Forces. The adrenaline, the missions, all of it. If he couldn’t have that, what did he have?

He'd joined the Army right out of high school and knew he would make a career out of it. His goal had always been to be Delta. Once he’d been accepted, there’d been no going back. He knew this was the life for him until he retired, but if he couldn’t get his shit together his dream would be gone, and he would have nothing left. It was not something he could accept. He wouldn’t accept.

He had been friends with TJ and Dale for several years now. And while he loved hanging with his teammates, there was just something different about being with these guys. They had no idea what he did other than work on the Army base, Fort Sam. He would meet them at their houses or somewhere in town instead of them coming over. His apartment wasn’t anything to brag about. Tony didn’t want the responsibility of owning a house. He liked coming and going without a thought. He was also gone a lot, so it never made sense to him to own a house just for himself.

Tony tipped his head back with his eyes closed enjoying the sound of nature around him. Heated voices started rising behind him causing him to peak over to make sure all was well. TJ and Dale were really getting into their argument this time, more so than normal. He thought about intervening but decided to wait it out. TJ and Dale’s bickering would annoy most, and it had grated on his nerves more than once, but he knew how the conversation would go. They would talk about arrests and recent fires first then after the first couple of hours it would turn to women or something non-work related before they dropped the subject altogether. There was never any blood shed or fists thrown, just arguing. It was refreshing for Tony to not have to talk about death and missions. They could just be normal guys. And that's why he loved them. In a strict friend sort of way. There was only one woman he had ever loved. Alexia Monroe or Lexi to him.

Just thinking her name made his heart skip a beat. He hadn't allowed himself to think about his high school sweetheart in a long time. Every time he did it filled him with regret and what ifs. If he hadn't joined the Army right out of high school, they would be married fourteen years now with probably a dozen kids. But he knew the divorce rates for military couples and decided to cut her lose before he brought her down. Lexi deserved more than he would have had time for. She had said she had been willing to wait for him, but he didn't want her to have to.

She had plans to be a doctor, and he didn’t want to force her to have to move jobs every few years. So, he broke things off right before he enlisted. He made it a point of not looking her up thinking she was already married with a horde of kids by now. Too much time had passed to try and find her. And to what end? Torment himself with woulda, shoulda, coulda.

No thanks. He was doing just fine without her. Even if he was lonely.

He went out on the occasional date, though he couldn't remember the last one at present. He told himself it was because he had been on several back to back missions lately and hadn’t had time, but he knew it was an excuse. He didn't date because he always found himself comparing the women to Lexi and that wasn't fair to them. The few he took to bed he did so with the lights off and finished quickly so he could go home and forget them.

When he had joined the Army fourteen years ago, this was not how he envisioned his life, but it wasn't all bad. He had great friends, a close brotherhood and even got to travel the world. All in all, it wasn’t bad. 

We need another opinion, who do you think has more saves? Dale asked, clapping him on the shoulder startling him from his thoughts. Tony shot out of his chair with his fist clenched.

Hey man, you good? TJ asked him puzzled stepping up to his other side. He suddenly realized Dale had asked him a question he hadn't answered yet.

Yeah, I'm good. Tony plastered on a smile that had always work in deflecting in the past. I think you both need to focus on the fact you save lives and not the number. He didn't keep count of the lives he saved or took. To him, it was a job, and he just did it. He followed orders and the rules, so he could come home and do it all over again. Rules kept him grounded. Rules kept him safe. Doubts got a man killed. 

He stole a glance at TJ out of the corner of his eye but ignored his friends pointed look. They could compare saves until the end of time, and he still wouldn't say who had more because at the end of the day it didn't matter. 

Don't take it to heart, TJ. Tony here just wants to save you from the embarrassment that I’ve saved more. Dale inserted taking the focus off him, for that he was grateful even if Tony hadn’t said any of that and would now start another argument. 

You, more? TJ scoffed. Do you pull people out of burning buildings?

Dude, you need to get a woman if you want your ego stroked. Dale rolled his eyes. Police put their lives in the line every second of the day. Firefighters only come out of their cozy firehouses when someone’s house is on fire, or there’s a crash.

That's enough, Tony growled lowly at them. They both forgot about their glaring contest and turned and looked at him like he had grown a second head. It was rare for them to hear Tony not be jovial. He was always the happy guy when they saw him. They didn’t see the bad ass Delta Force operative. They all thought he was some paper pusher who saw the good in everything. Not right now he wasn’t. This trip was about them relaxing and him trying to get his life on track. Not their teenage type drama.

He couldn’t imagine doing anything else other than being a Delta Force operative, and he didn’t want to do anything else. He was damn good at what he did. So, he would do whatever it took to overcome his PTSD and rejoin his brothers. But he didn’t think listening to these two numb skulls squabble all weekend was the way to do it. It defeated the purpose of a relaxing weekend.

You’re both fiercely proud men that serve this city and its community. TJ, you are a badass fireman. Dale, you’re a kick-ass cop. Now that I've stroked both your egos can we just enjoy our weekend camping? He kept his voice low. He never raised his voice. He didn't need to. He may be shorter than most of the guys at only five foot nine, but he was still deadly. Just ask his enemies, or not, since they were all dead.

You call that stroking? Dude, you need to get more if that’s your idea of stroking. No wonder your single. TJ punched him in the shoulder, his mood instantly lightened as if he and Dale hadn’t been arguing for the better part of an hour. Tony shook his head, slowly counting back from ten to keep his patience.

Remember you can't kill him, Dale staged whispered. 

Tony sighed, resuming his seat, and looked at the other campsites. The place was full which wasn't surprising. Early autumn and camping always went hand in hand. Several people brought large campers while others had small tents. Families surrounded them as kids rode their bikes along the paths. As he surveyed the people around them and cataloged their details his eyes caught on two women across from him.

They looked similar in height and coloring, so he assumed they were sisters. The women looked to be in their mid-thirties with long brown hair. The older looking one seemed upbeat as she moved around the picnic table making food. She talked animatedly waving her knife around as the younger one chopped wood. His gaze caught on her. Why did she look so sad while the other one looked so happy? He was a distance away from her, but he could see the shadows under her eyes. She wasn’t sleeping. He felt a sudden urge to go over to her and comfort her. Why, he didn’t know. He wasn’t a nurturer.

See something interesting over there? TJ elbowed him then looked to where Tony was looking. The woman chopping wood seemed to sense she was being watched because she stopped chopping wood and looked at them. Or more pointedly at TJ.

Chapter Two

Tony turned to address TJ but saw the man still staring at the woman. Tony had never seen him so speechless before. He never thought he would see the day when TJ was awestruck. And the man was. He stared at the woman as if she were an angel come down to earth. The woman broke eye contact first, wiping sweat from her brow and lifted her shirt sleeve to her elbows. Tony saw dark markings on her arms that looked like fingerprints.

The woman quickly covered her arms back up and looked at the woman with her, but the other woman was focused on cooking. At least that’s what Tony assumed she was doing. Butchering whatever was in front of her was more accurate. The woman swung the knife down and cringing as she cut whatever was in front of her. It was almost scary watching her butcher their meal.

Now who's the one staring? Tony teased, thinking he could break whatever spell fell over his friend. His hope had been in vain. TJ was awestruck. That was the only thing he could think of. Suddenly he had an idea.

Tony went into the tent and pulled out his guitar. Music always brought people together. He started strumming a random tune as he retook his seat. Now, what to play? He started playing the Beatles Blackbird and sung it quietly. Dale nodded to Tony then got up to get his own guitar. As they finished playing, someone started clapping as they approached them. The two ladies across from them had come over, and one was carrying a pot of food.

Damn, I need to learn to play an instrument, TJ announced standing up to face the woman who held his attention. It’s like a tractor beam. Just sucks ‘em right in.

Women do love musicians. Dale chuckled setting his guitar down and standing up.

I hope you don’t mind we came over. We heard your wonderful music and wanted to come say hello. The oldest woman said, looking at Dale then blushing. Dale rushed over and took the pot of stew from her.

This smells great. Thank you. Dale smiled broadly at her as he guided her to the table.

I’m Marybeth, and this is my sister Sabrina. Sabrina glanced at TJ then back down at her feet.

It’s nice to meet you, TJ said warming, guiding Sabrina to a seat.

~

When did you guys get here? Marybeth asked in between bites.

Just this afternoon, Dale answered.

Will you be here long?

Marybeth, Sabrina groaned quietly, staring down at her plate, and pushing the food around. Leave them be to eat.

What? I’m just making conversation, her sister said innocently.

It’s fine, TJ assured Sabrina before addressing Marybeth. We are only here through the weekend.

Well, that’s not very long at all.

We have to get back to work Monday. It was a spontaneously planned trip.

And what is it that you do?

Marybeth! Sabrina snapped, but her sister ignored her.

I’m a firefighter, Dale is a policeman and Tony is in the Army.

Oh my. Marybeth’s eyes fluttered. Sabrina rolled her eyes in disgust before turning to Tony.

What do you do in the Army? Sabrina asked.

Tony was startled at first that she asked him a question. She had been trying to get her sister to stop for the past few minutes, and now suddenly she was inquisitive. He wondered what had changed. I do clerical work. It was a lie he had been telling for years. It sounded boring enough that no one ever pushed him for more details.

What sort? She pushed.

Tony fiddled with his fork trying to think of a response. This was normally when people moved on from the conversation. He’d never really thought of an actual job when he began telling this lie. Financial. I go over budgets for things that need to be done around the base. There that sounded good. As he hoped, the subject was dropped. If a subject sounded boring, no one wanted to talk about it.

The rest of dinner was a quiet affair. Dale helped Marybeth clean up the dishes, and TJ saw to the fire with Sabrina’s supervision. Tony threw the trash away and watched his friends. Marybeth was attached to Dale while TJ tried to get to know Sabrina better. Sabrina seemed more at ease now. She sat near TJ but not to close. She made sure there was space between them. Tony wondered if it had something to do with her clingy sister or the bruises on her arms. 

So, where are you from Sabrina? Tony asked, taking a seat across from her. The glow from the fire helped him see her features perfectly.

Las Vegas, she said quietly.

Ah, sin city. Sabrina seemed to pale at that statement. TJ noticed too and sent a withering look at Tony which he ignored. It must be a nice change of pace here for you then.

I-It is. I never cared much for it there. Sabrina fidgeted in her chair, before sitting back. She seemed to pull away farther from TJ and the group. She was protecting herself. From them? So, Tony kept pushing her.

Why’s that? I hear a lot of people like it out there. Gambling and shows. TJ sent him another warning look to back off, but Tony kept pressing her. There was something off about her. He wanted to know what. This was what he did for a living.

Forewarned is forearmed. Just because he was on leave didn’t mean he could just turn all his training off.

Sabrina licked her lips nervously and Tony could see her pulse hammering on the side of her neck. The shows are great. I never cared much for the gambling. It’s very easy to get into trouble. A shadow crossed over her eyes. Tony felt a pinch of guilt for putting it there.

Well, you’ve come to the right place to get away from it all. He gestured to the woods around them in a jovial tone. It had the desired effect. Sabrina relaxed again. He’d pushed her enough for the moment. Any more and he knew TJ would attempt to break him in half. Tony excused himself to assist Dale and Marybeth and give the budding love birds a chance to talk.

~

Where’s Sabrina? Marybeth asked as she finished cleaning out the dishes.

Tony pointed with his thumb over his shoulder at Sabrina and TJ making goo-goo eyes at each other and holding hands in front of the fire. Marybeth’s brows furrowed then she looked away.

Everything okay? he asked her.

Fine, she said briskly, wiping her hands on a dish cloth and took a seat at the fire. Tony looked at Dale questionably, but Dale just shrugged.

Marybeth kept sending Sabrina withering death glares, but either Sabrina was ignoring them or unaware of them. Tony was willing to bet on the later. Tony was happy for his friend even though he worried about him. Something was bothering Sabrina, which could affect TJ. The man was so smitten right now he only had eyes for her.

Tony sipped his beer and watched her. On the outside, Sabrina appeared happy and focused on TJ. But he was trained to look for subtle differences in people. He noticed her clenched hands and how her eyes always kept moving around the woods. She was watching for someone. Maybe even thought staying close to TJ, who was big and scary looking, would protect her from what was in the dark. She was carrying secrets, and he just hoped it didn’t affect TJ. He had been hurt enough by those close to him. The last thing he needed was to have the first woman he had ever lusted for break his heart.

When it was finally time to call it a night TJ looked less than thrilled. Sabrina didn’t look any happier, but that could be because of her sister.

           Good night, Sabrina, TJ said warmly, before kissing the back of Sabrina’s hand. He licked his lips and lowered his head like he was going to kiss her for real.

Right before their lips would have touched Marybeth grabbed her arm and pulled her away.

Both Sabrina and TJ looked startled. What was that about? He glared at Marybeth.

I’m only trying to save you two from making a mistake, Marybeth growled. Tony didn’t know what was more startling her change in demeanor or her show of strength.

I don’t follow. TJ’s brows crinkled in confusion.

Sabrina has a fiancé back in Las Vegas, and I don’t think he would appreciate you two kissing while he’s too far away to protect her honor. TJ reared back as if slapped.

Fiancé? he spits out the word as if he tasted something vile.

TJ, it’s not what you think. Sabrina said panicked, she tried pulling from Marybeth’s grip, but her sister held firm.

I don’t care what you have to say, he spat before storming off. The darkness swallowing him whole.

Sabrina turned on her sister. Why did you do that?

Marybeth wasn’t put off by her sister’s anger. He had a right to know. You’ve been throwing yourself at him, and it was time to put a stop to it. What would Dennis think?

I don’t care what he thinks since I left him. Why do you think I was moving here?

Marybeth rolled her eyes. You’re just being dramatic. Dennis is the perfect man in every way. You’re just going through a phase that will pass. And when you get back together you’ll be thanking me I saved you from sleeping around. Sabrina looked at her sister wide-eyed as if she had never seen her before.

Whom I choose to date is none of your business, Marybeth. There is a snowball chance in hell of Dennis and I getting back together. Sabrina wrenched her arm free and took off after TJ.

Marybeth turned her thunderous gaze upon Dale and Tony. You’ll see. You’ll all see. When he comes for her, and they get back together, she’ll be glad she didn’t whore herself out. Marybeth spun