***
“Where’s Ty?” Tanesha asked, sitting down beside Dean’s twin brother, Jean.
“Never mind Ty, darling. His sister is so fucking hot.” Jean rasped, looking to where Thea danced with Matt.
There was surprised laughter from the people at the table at Jean’s comment, his brother Dean being the most shocked. “She’s only seventeen for fuck’s…”
“Guys I have to go,” Ty said, crouching in front of Tanesha. “Honey, I’m going on a mission.”
“What…” Tanesha’s eyes widened in bewilderment.
“I don’t know where I’m going. I don’t know when I’m coming back…yet. But I’ll try to get in touch with you immediately I get the chance okay?”
“Oh my God…” Tanesha’s eyes welled up. She felt someone’s arms go around her waist from the side but didn’t even turn to see who it was.
“Don’t cry, baby. That will make it more difficult for me. Please.” Ty said urgently, getting to his feet and drawing Tanesha up into his arms. “I’ll talk to you before I head out. Here.” He took the keys to his Bugatti Veyron and another key out of his pocket and pressed them into her hand. “Drive yourself home when you’re ready to go.”
“I’ll hitch a ride with…” She began shakily.
“I want you to use the car till I get back. The second key is the key to the house. Go there whenever you want to. Chris will give you an unlimited credit card…”
“I don’t want or need money.” Tanesha sniffled. “My dad gives me enough. I just want you.”
“I know. But I take care of my own. And you are mine.” Ty kissed her softly. “Humour me. Spend time in the house. Do whatever you want…redecorate, move your stuff in, prance around naked…” He smiled when Tanesha laughed shakily. “I love you, Tanesha.”
“I love you too, Ty. Come back to me.” She was crying. She knew how dangerous his last mission had been and couldn’t help but be terrified. “Please.”
“Nothing is going to keep me from you angel. I promise.” He leaned down and kissed her softly.
“I’ll hold you to that.” She gave up wiping the tears from her cheeks as they kept coming anyway. “See you soon alright?”
“You can count on it.” Ty grinned and then turned to hug everyone at their table. “Tell Kyle and Aaron to fuck till morning.” He told the guys. “I’ll talk to you when I get the chance. Take care of her for me guys.”
“You know we will,” Chris said, hugging Ty.
“Give her a MasterCard Black, Chris.” The eight friends were partners in one of the top banks in the country. It was managed by Chris who was the sole owner of two other banks.
“I’ll take care of it,” Chris assured Ty. “Just go do your thing.”
“Yeah. Deal with all the bad guys.” Jean said, taking a sip of his drink. “Hey, can I go drop your kid sister home after…”
“Oh fuck off Jean. She came in her own car.” Dean growled as he hugged Ty. “Be safe.”
“Thanks, Dean. Hey Jean, touch my sister and I’ll castrate you.” Ty growled, making everyone laugh despite the glum expressions on their faces.
Ty gave Tanesha a last sweet kiss and then hurried to where Thea danced with Matt. He hugged his sister and Matt and then quickly dashed to where Jackson stood, waiting for him. Going on a mission always got him pumped, but not this time. He hated leaving Tanesha. There was so much he was looking forward to doing. He’d been looking forward to asking Tanesha’s parents for their daughter’s hand in marriage the following day. He didn’t get to give Tanesha the beautiful expensive ten-carat diamond engagement ring he’d bought for her. For the first time since he became a SEAL, Ty hated going on a mission.
Tanesha watched Ty leave and wanted to scream out her frustration. Yes, his job was important and all but that didn’t mean she had to pretend to be okay with her man walking into danger. She leaned against Damon with a shaky sigh when he gathered her into his arms. Tanesha felt numb all over.
“I want to go home.” She whispered to Damon. She would try to be strong for Ty but there was no way she could continue having fun in her current state.
“Okay.” Damon nodded. “I’m taking her home in Ty’s car.” He informed the others. “Cole, follow us in your car so that I can come back with you.”
And as they sped towards her home, Tanesha couldn’t stop the tears that slid down her cheeks. She wanted her mother. They were to return from their trip the following day. She couldn’t wait to have her arms around her, rocking her as she usually did whenever she felt miserable as she did right then.
***
“Tanny?” Tanesha heard her mother calling her and groaned.
“Oh come on mum. I told you I wanted to sleep.” She muttered to herself as she rolled out of bed.
She didn’t have lectures that day so had decided to try and catch some sleep which had been difficult to do since Ty left on his mission four days earlier. They’d virtually been inseparable for a whole week so not having him around was very difficult for her. He’d called as he’d promised, before leaving the country that day. But she hadn’t heard from him again since then and the silence, though expected, was killing her.
“Mum?” Tanesha hesitated on the stairs when she looked down and saw two military men sitting in their living room with her parents.
“Come down honey.” Her father said quietly, something in his voice making Tanesha’s heart begin to pound within her chest.
“What is going on?” She was so confused she totally forgot her manners till her mother’s widened eyes prompted her to greet the guests.
“These gentlemen are here to see you, Tanesha,” Paul said. “Come and sit beside me.”
“No, dad,” Tanesha said quietly as she wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly feeling cold. “I’d rather stand.” Then to the guests, she gave a slight nod. “I’m all ears please.”
Both military officials stood up. “Ma’am.” One of the men tipped his head respectfully. “I’m Captain Campbell. And this is Commander Miller. When Lt. Cdr. Wesley was going on his last mission, he left specific instructions that you were to be notified in case of any…”
“Tell me he’s okay.” Tanesha’s voice was barely above a whisper.
“His aircraft was shot down. We’ve been able to locate the damaged craft but there’s no sign of any member of the crew. Now, you don’t have to panic. It’s very possible they’re okay. But his instruction was for us to keep you posted on anything that… Ma’am…” Captain Campbell shouted.
Tanesha saw the Captain’s mouth moving but couldn’t hear a word after the first sentence. She felt herself falling but couldn’t control her movement. She saw the captain making a mad dash towards her but…
Everything went black.