The President's Daughter: Trust Casefiles, #6

By Lee Cushing

They call them the Upierczi.

Dedicated to protecting the world from demonic forces, Catherine Jordan and Daphne McBride are part of a secretive agency tasked with tracking down the infamous Upierczi of Eastern Europe. 

But when a prominent president's daughter is abducted and turned into a weapon, the pair quickly find themselves on the trail of an insidious plot to seize control of her father's homeland. Travelling to the heart of Eastern Europe on the Upierczi's trail, the agents are dead-set on saving the president and maintaining order in this small and troubled country… but after Catherine is framed and turned into a wanted fugitive, their mission is thrown into chaos.
Racing against time to unravel the demonic plot, Catherine and Daphne find themselves deep in unfriendly territory and locked in a desperate three-way war against supernatural forces and shady terrorists who are hell-bent on taking them down.

Can Catherine and Daphne put a stop to the Upierczi before it's too late? Or will their mission end in disaster?

Gear up for a gripping supernatural thriller like no other. Packed with high-stakes action, supernatural powers, and suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat, President's Daughter is a pulse-pounding thrill-ride that you won't want to miss. Scroll up and grab your copy now!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lee Cushing
• Release date: Aug 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201749217

Lee Cushing

Lee Cushing is a paranormal thriller author and a lifelong fan of the occult. Having become obsessed with supernatural folklore and the world of horror from an early age, Lee has spent years studying tales of the occult and immersing himself in stories of otherworldly phenomenon. He’s also the owner of a number of vampire and horror-related groups in Facebook, where fellow fans of the supernatural come together to celebrate and discuss all things paranormal.  His debut novel, Voodoo Mambo, blends high-stakes action and shadowy agencies with a dark underworld of demonic creatures and their insidious plots to attack humanity. Lee draws his inspiration from classic horror movies – including Hammer and Universal – as well as beloved TV shows including Doctor Who, Supernatural, The Avengers, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer. 

Book preview

Chapter One

The water gushing into the sink as she pressed down on the tap, Maria Vinovich paid little attention to the nightclub door opening, her focus remaining on removing the clasp holding her blonde hair back.

The tall brunette that had just entered made straight for her.

Maria turned back when the door opened again and a redhead pulled a dark skinned woman into the bathroom.

Holding a glass in her hand, the redhead pushed her partner against the side of one of the stalls and began kissing her.

The brunette grasped the redhead’s shoulder and separated her from the other woman, Leave.

Turning, the redhead tossed the gasoline in the glass at the brunette’s face and pushed her back, speaking with an American accent.  Daph, get the girl out of here.

The redhead pulled out a lighter from her pocket and flicked on the flame, using it to make the brunette retreat against the far wall.

Ignoring Daphne McBride grabbing Maria by the arm and pulling her back into the nightclub, Catherine Jordan thrust the lighter into the liquid covering the brunette’s face.

She backed away when the flames spread across the woman’s body.

Hurrying from the bathroom, Catherine pulled the nearby fire alarm and continued to the exit.

She reached the van where Daphne was still holding onto Maria’s arm, You’re luckier than the security detail protecting you, they’re all dead.  Catherine opened the van door and waited for Daphne to encourage the teenager to enter, Don’t worry, we’ll hide you somewhere safe until we can make arrangements to get you back to your father in Vasaria.

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Parking the van in the driveway to the house in the suburban cul-de-sac, Catherine glanced back at Daphne and Maria sitting in the back.

We’re here.  She got out first and pulled open the side door, We’ll keep you company until the relief team arrives.

Following Catherine and Daphne to the front door of the house, Maria entered behind them, her thick East European accent evident in her voice when she spoke.  Is there anything to eat?

Daphne closed the door and directed Maria to the kitchen, You’ll find that the fridge and cupboards will be pretty well stocked.

Looking out through the lounge window, Catherine glanced back at Daphne.  I don’t know about you but I’ll be glad to get back home.  She walked up to her girlfriend, And then we can concentrate on our wedding.

Embracing each other, the two women kissed, breaking away only when Maria returned to the room with a full plate of sandwiches.

Are you a real couple?

Catherine was still holding Daphne’s hand when she responded to the girl’s question, Yes.  She turned her head towards her girlfriend, We’re going to be married as soon as we fly back home.

Maria focused on Catherine, You don’t live here in Los Angeles?

Shaking her head, Catherine watched the teenager sit on one of the couches.  No, we were only here for my brother’s wedding.  Tomorrow we’re booked on a flight back to England.

You’re going to leave me here?  Maria did not take her eyes off the two women, But those people who killed my bodyguards are still after me.

Daphne approached the girl, Don’t worry, I was told that the team coming to protect you are very good, they won’t let anything happen to you.

Taking another look through the window, Catherine glanced back at Maria.  Does your father have any enemies that might want to get at him through you?

There is the Vasarian Liberation Army but they have no real power, they’re just a bunch of terrorists who want a return to the way my country was before my father was elected.  The girl shook her head, Everyone else in the country loves my father, he’s improved the health care systems and is constantly fighting for the rights of everyone.

It was just a thought.  Catherine beckoned Daphne to follow her to the hallway out of earshot from Maria.  We know that she isn’t just a random target, the question is what are the Upierczi up to and if they’re connected to this VLA group.  She looked back to the lounge door, Keep an eye on her, I’ll just take a stroll around the neighborhood and make sure everything’s quiet.

Be careful.

I will.  Catherine kissed Daphne before exiting the house.  Heading to the bottom of the driveway, she started walking along the sidewalk.

Passing a man and woman walking together, she spotted the Beretta automatic in a holster barely visible beneath the woman’s jacket.

Catherine changed her direction and began following them.  Trailing them along the street for a few minutes, she saw them stop and begin to turn towards her, the woman reaching for her concealed weapon.

Reaching forward, Catherine twisted the gun out of the woman’s grasp and let it fall to the ground.

The man grabbed Catherine and slammed her against the door of the nearest car, bringing his knee up until it smashed into her ribs.

Spinning round, Catherine hit his cheek with the back of her hand.  She followed up her attack by pushing him onto the lawn of one of the houses.

The woman grabbed her from behind.  Breaking free of the hold, Catherine forced her against the car and kicked her onto the hood.

Catherine pulled her Ruger from her holster and aimed it towards the man, Who are you?

C.I.6.

The man’s response did not make Catherine lower her weapon, Give me your wrist.  Taking it when he outstretched his arm for her, she felt his pulse before slipping her gun back into the holster.  You could have simply introduced yourselves.

We’ve been assigned to protect Maria Vinovich, our instructions did not include asking questions.  The woman slid off the hood of the car, We deemed you a threat to her safety and we acted accordingly to take you out.

Catherine watched the man and woman move together, You didn’t do a very good job against me.  If I was an Upierczi, you’d both be dead.

That’s not fair.  The woman started after Catherine when she began walking back to the safe house, We were handpicked by Johnny.

Not stopping, Catherine reached the driveway to the safe house.  I’m sorry but I don’t know this Johnny.  She continued to the front door which opened before she got to it.

The black man in full body armour watched the two operatives follow Catherine inside, a lit cigarette between his lips.  Miss Jordan, I see you’ve met Madison and Quinn.

She glanced back at him, Yeah, you could say that.  I kicked the crap out of them.

Rising from the couch when Catherine entered the lounge, Daphne waited for the man in body armour to follow her.  Catherine, this is John Grant.  He’s in charge of the security detail assigned to protect Maria.

Catherine looked back at John, I hope the rest of your team are better than those two.

Chapter Two

Exiting through the airport doors into the rain, Catherine hurried to one of the nearby taxis, her hair getting soaked as she glanced back at Daphne following her outside.

Daphne zipped up her coat and pulled the hood over her head as she reached the taxi, stopping as Catherine loaded their suitcases into the car boot.  Hurry up and get in the taxi, you’re getting drenched.

Closing the boot, Catherine got onto the back seat of the taxi and settled next to Daphne.

Where to?

Stanforth Apartments on Clayton Avenue.  Daphne glanced at her girlfriend as the taxi began moving, You’re dripping wet.

Catherine relaxed in the seat, I can dry off when we get home.  She took hold of Daphne’s hand, their fingers entwining.  Now how are we going to tell everyone that we’re getting married?

Raising Catherine’s hand, Daphne kissed her girlfriend’s knuckles.  You’re going have to let Forrest know first, then there’s my Mum and Dad.

Catherine leaned forward and kissed Daphne on the lips, We’ll start making a proper list when we get home right after I get out of these wet clothes.

Now that is something I like the sound of.  Daphne laughed, We can’t leave Mark and Phoebe out, they did invite us to their wedding.

Catherine nodded, But not my Dad.

Definitely not.

Resting her head on Daphne’s shoulder, Catherine continued to hold onto her girlfriend’s hand.  What we should really do is get Vera to plan everything for us, what do you think?

Daphne nodded, Sounds like a good idea.

Raising her head after a few more moments, Catherine looked at Daphne.  There is one important thing we do need to talk about, names.  She tightened her hold on Daphne’s hand, I don’t want to be Catherine Jordan any more, I want to take your name.

Are you sure you really don’t want to hyphen it or something?

Catherine kissed her again, I want to make a completely fresh start when I become your wife.  From the moment I say I do Catherine Jordan will be part of my past and I want to look to the future with you.

Putting her arm around Catherine’s shoulder, Daphne looked directly at her girlfriend.  You really are one in a million.  She watched the taxi turn onto the driveway leading to their apartment building, I’ll get the luggage and you get inside out of the rain.

Catherine hurried out of the taxi when it stopped by the doors to the apartment building and dashed inside.  Looking back, she saw Daphne with her hood up being helped by the driver to retrieve the suitcases from the boot.

Enjoy your trip, Miss Jordan?

Approaching the desk in the lobby, she leaned across the surface.  Yes I did, Harry.

The doorman stopped her from returning to the doors, Mr Vladek popped by about thirty minutes ago, I hope you don’t mind but I let him into your apartment.

That’s okay, Harry.  Catherine reached the doors and opened them to let Daphne enter with the suitcases.  Let me take one of those.

Giving one of the suitcases to her girlfriend, Daphne continued to the elevator and followed Catherine into the small compartment.

I wonder what Anton wants.  Catherine exited the elevator after a few moments and started walking along the short passage.  Reaching the apartment door, she unlocked it and pushed it open.

The man with the brown haired ponytail rose from the couch as soon as Catherine and Daphne entered their apartment, speaking with an East European accent.  Ladies, I have some unfortunate news.

Catherine lowered the suitcase to the carpet, Don’t keep us in suspense, Anton, what is it?

Picking up the suitcase, Daphne started towards one of the doors inside the apartment.  I’ll just take these to our room.

Anton Vladek watched Catherine approach him, It’s about Maria Vinovich.  The car transporting her to the airport was the victim of an ambush by unknown forces.

Was she hurt?

We don’t know.  Vladek paused before continuing, She was abducted by the attackers.

Chapter Three

Leaning against the railing overlooking the amusement park boat ride, Daphne felt Catherine’s hands on her shoulders, smiling as she began to enjoy the gentle massage.

What are you thinking about?

Daphne turned and faced Catherine, Missing the Bahamas and how there was no demon activity to ruin our honeymoon, Mrs McBride.

Catherine kissed her, I love you calling me that, Mrs McBride.  But I do have a confession to make.

What?

Embracing her, Catherine grinned with amusement.  I had Anton call the field office in the Bahamas and he told them explicitly that we were not to be interrupted for anything.

Daphne returned the earlier kiss, I must really remember to thank him.  She moved closer for another kiss, her hands slipping around her wife’s waist.

Withdrawing when her phone began playing the Wonder Woman TV theme, Catherine leaned against the railings as she answered it.  She looked at Daphne as she listened to the voice on the other end, Okay, we’ll be right down.  Turning off the phone, she slipped it back into the pocket of her jeans.