Thanks to everyone who has made this submission the best it can be. Thanks to the fans who are making it so much fun to write. You votes are truly humbling.
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Candrea sat at the glass topped table next to the hotel pool, sipping her water and staring at the patrons swimming. The albino werewolf set the water down and turned her eyes toward the oceanfront just beyond the large black metal fence that surrounded the area.
She wasn't looking at the rolling waves, as much as she was looking through them, as if her mind was drifting away along with the retreating water. A voice just behind her caused her to jump in her seat, as she turned and saw Jim Gordon behind her. "Damn it, Gordon, don't sneak up on me like that!"
Jim pulled a seat out and joined the Australian woman at her table. He wore faded jeans and a short sleeved shirt, but looked out of place with his brown felt cowboy hat. Pushing the hat back on his head, he looked at the jumpy woman with a puzzled expression. "Where in buzzards glory is your mind, Candi? You should have sensed me the moment I opened the door over there."
Candrea ignored the question as she fidgeted in her seat. "Where's Eduardo? He should have checked in hours ago."
Jim laughed at her annoyance. "He didn't want me to tell you this, but he lost Kevin and his human friend on the freeway. He gave up and came back here; then he hooked up with a cute little filly and I haven't seen him since."
Candrea snapped her head toward her fellow council member with a stern look on her face. "That man is getting on my last nerve. I don't think he fully understands the situation here." Her low, angry tone caused Jim to retreat into his seat a little.
"I don't know what burr you have under your saddle blanket there, Candi, but you know as well as I do, going off with your pistols half-cocked isn't going to solve any problems. You know that old saying, 'you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink'."
Candrea's eyes shot to the door as her senses picked up Eduardo entering the pool area. "No, but I can drown the fucker if he doesn't!"
The Brazilian walked over and stood behind the seething woman. Placing his large manicured hands on the back of Candrea's chair, he leaned down and kissed the top of her head. He was startled a bit as she spun in her chair and glared up at him.
"How could you lose two people on a freeway? Are you trying to fail, or are you just that incompetent?" Candrea spat out.
"Good afternoon to you, too. Are you sure you're not a redhead in disguise?"
Jim Gordon pulled his hat down over his face as he saw the anger rising within his friend. "Nothing like being bare foot in the desert and poking a stick at a rattler," he mumbled.
Eduardo sat down, but as he did, he leered at the scantily clad women who were swimming in the pool. They in turn all stared at his shirtless upper body as they talked back and forth amongst themselves. He turned back to Candrea who was leaning forward, a threatening scowl on her tanned face.
Running his fingers through his curly, jet-black hair, the male model pushed her even further. "I don't know why you are so worried, my lovely friend. He seems more than capable of handling any trouble that comes his way. I highly doubt the Dark One will try anything in a public place."
"You moron! If she gets the medallion, she won't care if it's public or not. Since we don't know what is going on because Mr. Dvorska hasn't contacted us, I think it's time we have another little chat with the Chosen One," Candrea replied as she sat back and tried to control her temper.
Eduardo moved to get up from his seat, but the Alpha female held up her hand to stop him. "I'll be taking Jim with me, thank you very much. Why don't you stay here and see if there's another human you want to flirt with, feel up, and then fuck for fun."
**********
Adam Dawson checked the rear view mirror as he drove down Shore Drive toward the Virginia Beach area. He hadn't seen the tail from the council member since leaving the freeway before the meeting in the woods, but he was still cautious.
He looked over to the passenger seat and saw Kevin going over the single slip of paper that Admiral Olmstead had placed in his palm just before the meeting was over. He chuckled to himself as he saw the puzzled look on his friend's face. "What's the matter, little buddy?"
Kevin checked his side mirror and scanned the cars behind him, then looked at his best friend. "Even if this is a true copy of the President's itinerary for the next three weeks, I still don't know how we're going to pull this off without getting Walker hurt."
Adam gave a laugh as he turned the car right, and headed down an old street to throw off any unwanted company. "You know one of those guys at the meeting today, Chris Brooks?"
"Yeah, so?
Adam made a quick left and doubled back down Shore Drive. "Well, I heard a rumor a while back that a SEAL team was chosen to go over internal security in the White House. I think Chris knows more than he's actually told us."
Kevin folded the paper up and shoved it into his pocket. "So you think we can really pull off the hit of the century?"
"Hey, have I ever steered you wrong?" Adam asked with a smile.
Kevin chuckled as the memories of previous missions flooded his thoughts. "Wow, where do I start with that one -- Sir?"
Adam punched Kevin's shoulder as he drove down the road. "Shut up, smartass. How about we take the girls out for a night on the town? After a day of shopping, I bet they're going to want to unwind someplace quiet."
"Sounds like a plan, Boss. Think we can lose the council guys again?"
"Without a doubt. As stupid as they seem, I don't see a need to have them around," Adam replied as he once again checked the rear view mirror.
**********
Two cabs pulled into the driveway of the Dawson's residence. The trip from Waterside to Virginia Beach hadn't taken long, but the drivers were very happy when they had reached their destination. A total of six men jumped out of the yellow vehicles and searched the area as two women remained in the center of the back seats.
Bob Holiday bent down with his hand out and asked Kristine for her house keys. After getting them, he tossed them to Carl Werner. With a knowing nod of his head, Carl took four SEALs with him and approached the front door. "Bissell, Monk; upstairs. Harley, you're with me, lower level. If it's not a SEAL; kill it."
The four trained men entered the home of Adam Dawson, weapons pulled out and seriousness about their movements. As Bob monitored the surrounding area, he heard the driver's nervous voice. "Listen, I don't know who you guys are, but could I just have the money for the fare and get the hell away from you people before I get shot?"
Bob leaned in quickly and gave the driver a hard look. "The meter's running, so shut the fuck up and sit there quietly. We'll be out of your hair in a few minutes," he growled.
It was just mere moments later when Carl appeared at the front door and signaled to Bob that the house was clear. Bob checked the area one more time and then tossed some money on each driver's seat. He gave a nod to the other SEAL guarding Laura and held his breath as both women stepped out into the sunshine.
The two men hurried the women into the house as the cabs pulled out of the driveway. Bob turned and watched as the cars quickly sped away. He stepped back inside and locked the door, making sure to place the chain in its holder.
The veteran SEAL turned to look at the two women now huddled on the couch. "Where's Adam and Kevin?"
Kristine took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "They're -- they're at -- a meeting."
Holiday moved to the front window and pulled the shade aside, looking outside for any unwanted guests. "What meeting? Can you get in touch with him? When's it supposed to be over?"
Kristine looked at the faces of the gathered men and knew she had to watch what she said. The only other person she knew she could trust was Carl, but the other SEALs were new to her. "It's a meeting -- Bob -- you know; a meeting."
He released the shade and looked back at his former team leader's wife. Her look of both fear and apprehension told him exactly what she didn't want to say. He turned his gaze towards the other men and knew when the new head of SEAL Team Six got back, they shouldn't be around. "Monk, get on the phone and contact the duty office. Get a van out here with a bomb dog to pick you guys up, then head back to Waterside and check out our vehicles."
"Aye, aye, Senior Chief," he replied as he moved to pick up the phone.
Bob calmly moved over to the two women so as not to frighten them any further. "Where's your car parked at down at Waterside?"
"Top level of the parking garage just across the street," Kristine mumbled.
After getting the required information, he turned to Petty Officer Bissell. The older man leaned in and gave him instructions on what needed to be done, as the younger one nodded in compliance. Once he was sure that the young SEAL knew what was expected of him, Bob went to the kitchen.
Laura looked at the five men standing in the living room, their weapons down at their sides. If it weren't for the reoccurring vision of Nadia's hideous face, she would have felt secure around the highly trained men. Her nervousness increased as she watched Bob walk back in carrying two glasses half-filled with bourbon.
