Damn. Damn. DAMN. She must've left last night. Maybe early this morning. I'll need my shotgun, handgun, food, water, and supplies. Who knows how long it will take to find her.
Calling out for Forbes and Hamilton, two of his finest officers, Sebastian Monroe jerked his hand through the blond curls falling in his eyes. Charlotte was going to get herself killed. By his men looking for a new toy; by crazy as hell Texans; by a Plains Nation clan. By him. He growled deep and low, standing to pace the room. The floor tilted dangerously thanks to a wicked hangover.
Cursing himself, Charlie, and the world in general he stumbled over to the door, nearly tripping over his newest officer who, apparently, had passed out sometime during the night's revelry. Bass sneered. Only a weak man couldn't hold his liq- The world spun like a supercharged merry-go-round before his eyes, and Bass lost his balance. As he hit the floor, hard, glass crunched beneath his left shoulder, piercing his military jacket. Wincing, he rolled to side and struggled to stand. Damn beer bottle probably. Back on his feet, Bass turned to glare at the offending bottle. Instead, he found himself staring into the bright blue eyes of an angel.
Charlie.
No. Not Charlotte. Just a broken glass figurine. Shaking his head to clear it, Bass began brushing the shards off his jacket shoulder. Not Charlie. It's not Charlie, it's… Bass's head snapped back towards the shattered angel. It was the one Rachel had given Charlie on their wedding day. She'd been crying, her accusing eyes as vivid a blue as her daughter's as she'd watched Charlie show him the angel. He'd smiled and nodded at Rachel, ignoring the way she stiffened whenever he looked directly at her, before turning back to his wife. Charlotte's face had been so bright and happy. He'd never seen her look so relaxed – she'd even agreed not to wear a knife strapped to her calf that day. But only after he'd promised, reluctantly, to be a perfect gentleman…
The door to his library opened, bringing Bass back to reality. Two of his highest-ranking officers strode in, dressed in pristine Militia uniforms.
"You asked for us, General?"
"Yes." President Sebastian Monroe turned away from the angel and straightened his shoulders. "Something of mine's gone missing." He smiled darkly. "And the two of you are going to help me find her."