Saving Erin, Book 1 of swift security

Saving Erin

Book one of the swift security series

Chapter one

Jake's point of view

My name is Jake Swift. I go by the nickname of Swifty for obvious reasons and also as I like to get the job done ASAP. After leaving the army two years ago, I set up swift security; most of my employees are ex-army. They are not just my colleges and friends. They are my family.

So here I am at the age of twenty-eight, running my own security firm that hires ex-military men and women. It's hard when you first leave the army to settle into civilian life. When I first left, I was so lost away from the military lifestyle. So that why I started my own security company. We supply security and trained bodyguards to anyone that needs it, and thankfully my gamble paid off. Swift security is really starting to make a name for itself now, and I have supplied bodyguards to politicians and pop stars all over the world.

Yeah, I'm doing okay....actually, I'm doing pretty damned good for myself.

I've organised a weekend training trip with part of my team up in the mountains where I've rented an old log cabin. It's winter, bitter cold, and the weather can get rough up there, but the area is empty, and no tourists are crazy enough to rent the cabins this time of year, and the team need to get some severe weather training in.

You never know what situation might arise, so we have to be prepared for anything, and that includes this training, yes. It's hard and takes a toll on your body, but I know my team. They thrive on this shit.

"All loaded, boss. Do you want to go through the checklist?"

Tank shouts to me.

So let me introduce you to the first member of my team.

Tank, aka Zane Micheals, age thirty-two ex-army special forces his nickname is Tank, why? Because he's built like one, the guy is enormous. He's the muscle of the group and now works for swift security.

I double-checked and rechecked the list with Tank as every bit of equipment we have is vital for this type of training, especially when you're fighting the elements up in the mountains.

I laugh as Maddog yells "

Yeah, let's do this."

Maddox Lennox, age twenty-nine, nickname Madog, for apparent reasons hes ex-army special forces and hes also my IT expert he now works for swift security. You guessed it. He's the crazy one of the group, Madog he likes a challenge and the crazier, the better.

Anyway, that's my two guys in the team.

That just leaves me with Laila, the baby of the group at twenty-five and also the only female on the team; she's an ex-army medic and a crazy ass chick just like her brother Madog. Have I said she could kick any man's ass? The only thing that bothers Laila is the cold

"Fuck, it's cold."

I hear her grumble. I laugh. Yeah, that's why I've picked Laila for this exercise; she needs to get through this.

She pulls her hood up over her head as she comes out of the bunker. I know she hates the cold, but cold weather training is survival training, and it's something every member of the team has to do.

"Want me to keep you, warm baby?"

Tank says as he laughs at Laila

"Fuck off, big guy, that's my baby, sis."

Madog makes me laugh as he defends Laila. It's all just banter; this is how my team roll.

"Don't need no mother fucking man to keep me warm."

Laila grumbles as she pulls her coat tighter around her.

We all pile into the two jeeps, both equipped to cope with the rocky and icy terrain of the mountain.

We make our way up into the mountains with our equipment; the ride is easier than I thought it would be. The weather is not too bad at the minute, although a storm is reported to be rolling in, and things can change pretty quickly up here.

We arrive at the cabin and get all the equipment unloaded. Madog sets a security radar around the place, I have no idea why, as I'm sure no one would be crazy enough to come up here at this time of the year, but Madog insists as he has some new high tech equipment he wants to try out. Tank gets a roaring fire going, heating up the small wooden cabin.

We settle down for the night with a few beers, A game of cards and a hot meal. There's no signal on our phones, but we have radio contact to our base if we need it.

I smile as I listen to the banter, Tank he may be the muscle, but he's also a teddy bear. He's the kindest, most laid back guy I've ever met. I chuckle as he openly flirts with Laila only because he knows it drives Madog crazy. Laila bats her eyelashes back because, brother or not, no one tells Laila what to do.

I love these guys, but more than that, I trust them with my life. We are a team; I have their back, and they have mine.

We only have a couple of beers each, as we have an early start in the morning, once the table is cleared and Laila cleans up on the card table. Madog turns to me as he says.

"I'm going to see if all the equipment is working right."

I nod my head as I reply.

"I'll come with you."

We both put on our cold weather survival suits before making our way outside.

Fuck..... it's so cold out here. I look around the bleak mountainside as the icy winds rip up around us as we make our way over to Madog's equipment.

I turn to look at Madog, his coat is not fully zipped up, and he has ice forming on his beard. I chuckle hes a crazy fucker; he stands up, seemingly happy with his equipment before we make our way back inside.

Once inside, Tank offers to warm Laila's bed; Laila accepts with a wink and Madog, jumps on Tanks back before they both wrestle to the ground. Laila shakes her head before she heads off alone into her room as she shouts.

"Good night, boys."

"Good night Laila," I reply before turning to the two crazy guys still wrestling on the floor.

"Try to keep the cabin in one piece."

I say before heading off into my own room and settling down for the night. Tomorrow is going to be a tough day, especially if the storm does hit...

____ Authors note _____

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I would love to know your thoughts.

Love always

Ellen Day

I

Saving Erin

Chapter 2

Jake's point of view.

We're up at the crack of dawn. The weather is bleak this morning as we load up the snow mobile's to make our way further up the mountainside. Tank turns to look at me as he says.

"The weather's definitely changing."

I nod my head as I look up to the darkening skies.

"Yeah, let's get this training done before the storm hits properly."

I say, Laila grumbles as she climbs onto one of the snowmobiles.

"I can't even feel my fucking toes."

Tanks laughs as he replies.

"Want me to warm you up, Laila?"

Madog turns his snowmobile on, sending a wave of snow over Tank as he turns the engine on.

I chuckle, Tank is one of the best guys I've ever known, and I know that deep down, If Tank were interested in Laila, then Madog would be a happy man.

We're soon powering up the mountainside as the snowmobiles plough through the ice. I grin, enjoying the ride. What can I say? Grown ass men still love their toys. I chuckle as Laila flies past me; maybe that should be grown-ass men and Laila. These beasts are worth every penny, though, as we tear up the snow, making easy work of the tricky terrain.

I look up as we reach the bottom of the mountain, Tank unfastens the rope,and all of the climbing equipment as Madog and Laila toss a coin to be our damsel in distress. Laila hates being rescued, but this exercise is also about team building, and sometimes we have to learn to put our faith in others. That is something Laila really struggles with; she's kind of a lone wolf and hates being dependent on others, but after what she's been through, it's hardly surprising, but that's a story for another day.

In the end, we have nothing to worry about as Laila wins the coin toss and sends Madog up first. She takes a hold of the safety rope as he scrambles up the rock face.

Tanks shake his head as he looks up at Madog, who is now hanging upside down halfway up an icy mountain, waving his arms around like a lunatic as he yells in his best girlie voice.

"What the fuck is he doing?"

He asks; I look up and laugh as I reply.

"Who knows what goes on Madog's head."

I put my climbing equipment on as Tank takes the strain on the safety rope. There's no way I'm holding that fucker's weight halfway way up a mountain. I'd be at the top before he's reached the bottom.

I scramble up behind Madog, with the stretcher strapped to my back. Once I have

Madog safely strapped in. Tank and Laila take the strain as I guide him back down.

I'm so proud of my team today. They worked so hard, and the new cold suits have been money well spent. Even Leila hasn't mentioned the cold today, so they must be good.

Tank and I begin to pack up the equipment before loading it onto the snowmobile as Leila and Madog race around on the ice; I laugh at them. It's good to see them let their hair down.

Train hard ,play hard that's Madog's Moto.

Once we have everything packed up, we head back down the mountainside; as we make our way back to the cabin, I can't wait to get a hot shower.

Laila races off ahead of us, yelling over her shoulder

"Ladies first in the shower, Boys."

Typical Laila. She's not one to get left behind.

Tank set off on her tail as he shouts

"Wanna share, Laila."

I take off behind him and wait for!!!!!!

"No way, that's my little sister."

Madog yells as he joins the race, making me laugh out loud.

Tank laughs as he shouts

"You fall for it every time Maddog."

"Yeah, well, you can all eat my dust because I'll be back first."

With that, Madog races off in front like a lunatic churning up the snow as we all follow.

Once back at the cabin, Tank gets a fire going; as Madog checks over his equipment, he notices there's a breach ointhe security system.

"Fuckin animals, I'll have to go and reset it all now."

He mutters as Laila laughs before she says.

"Hahahaha, bags the shower."

I turn to Maddox as I say.

"Come on, Madog, I'll come with you."

We head off back outside; before I get a chance to take my cold-weather gear off, we head to check the perimeter that Maddox had set up earlier. In weather like this, no one should be alone even if we are this close to the cabin.

As we walk around, I notice something brown on the ground, not moving as Maddox says to me.

"Whatever it is, It looks like it's already dead should have been in the shower now, not moving fucking dead animals."

He grumbles.

As we walk up to the creature, I notice pale skin and long blonde hair.

"fuck Madog, that's no animal."

I shout as I take off running with Madog right behind me.

I drop to my knees. It's a young girl. Her skin is porcelain white, almost blue with the cold it looks as though we're too late.

I check her pulse, thankfully there is a pulse, but it's very faint. I can't believe she's alive out here. What the hell is she doing out here. I quickly unzip my cold suit top and gently wrap her up in it before picking her up. Yelling for Madog to run ahead and get Laila as I run behind him, running as fast as I can,looking down at her, there is no sign of life. Her face is battered and bruised. It will be a miracle if she comes through this. There is one thing I notice, though. This is no girl like I first thought. This is a beautiful young woman despite the bruises.

Why would anyone do this to her? How can they just leave her out here to die?

I think to myself as I try to control my anger.

I pull her closer in my arms, her lips are blue, and her breathing is shallow, and I know she's not out of the woods yet.

I can't let her die...

Saving Erin.

Chapter three

Jake's point of view

I gently wrap her in my cold suit jacket and pick her up. She's nothing but skin and bones. She doesn't make a sound as I carry her broken and battered body back up to the cabin, running as fast as I can, knowing that time is not on our side.

God only knows how long she's been out here.

Even with the swelling and bruises on her face, she's beautiful with pale porcelain skin and long flowing blonde hair, I whisper softly to her.

"Hey, beautiful lady, you're safe now. No one is going to hurt you now."

"Fuck "

I curse. Where the hell did she come from? We're in the middle of nowhere, halfway up a mountain in winter. I run as fast as I can up to the cabin bursting through the doors, as I hear Madog shouting for Laila.

"Laila Laila?"

"Fucking hell, Madog, where's the fire, "

She says as she walks out of the bathroom door.

"We found a woman outside; she's unconscious, and she has a faint pulse."

Tank walks over to us, the shock evident on his face as he says.

"What the fuck, man? We're in the mountains."

I carry her to the main bedroom, my bedroom carefully laying her down on the bed as Laila comes running in behind me,

"What the Hell, Jake."

She says as she carries her medical bag into the room, the medic in her quickly kicks in as she starts checking her pulse.

She says to me.

"It's very week, and she's in hypothermic shock. Find any blankets you can Tank. We need to get her warmed up as quickly as we can."

"On it."

Shouts Tank as he makes his way out of the door.

I turn my head as Laila peels the dirty wet blanket from her battered and bruised body; the poor thing looks as though she's been through a lot; she's severely bruised and looking at her abdomen, she has a few broken ribs Laila curses as she says.

"I hope there's no internal bleeding '. Get your top off, Jake; we need to warm her up quick; she needs body heat now."

I know through my training this is one of the quickest survival tactics we can use as I quickly strip my top off and lie down next to her, knowing this is a life or death situation; she's freezing cold as I pull her into my body, Leila starts to throw blankets over the top of us as she's working on her vein to get some lines into her.

"Fuck I can't get a line in. She's severely dehydrated."

She mutters but thankfully, after a few attempts, she finally manages to get a line in and starts pumping fluids through. I watch as she gives her a shot of adrenaline. Her core temperature is very slow rising. I look at Laila, concerned by the look of worry on her face.

I can feel myself sweating under the layers of blankets, desperately hoping this is bringing her temperature up.

Laila curses as she gives her a shot of antibiotics

"Fucks sake, what the hell is she doing out here in this weather."

I sigh as I reply.

"Running from someone looking at her, how the fuck can someone do this to her? She almost died out there. Fucking animals."

Laila replies with a frown.

"She's not out of the woods yet Jake, although her temperature is stabilising, you can let her go now.'

I slide my arm out from around her, not really wanting to let go as I reluctantly get out of the bed. She feels so good in my arms fuck, man, what's up with me? I think to myself silently, hoping nobody noticed. I see Leila with a slight smirk on her face yea, she noticed. Still, she doesn't say anything, thank God.

"Right, boys, I'm going to check her over now that her temperature is up."

Laila shouts to us.

"Oh yeah, well, be outside if you need us."

I say before we head into the living area, the three of us still totally gobsmacked at finding her out here.

I turn to Madog and ask him.

"Madog, is all the perimeter secured?"

He turns to look at me, his face serious as he replies

"All backup and running, you think someone's after her?'

I frown as I say.

"Why else is she up here in the winter? No one comes here at this time of year, not unless you're hiding something or running from somebody."

"Tank, get on the radio to the base and get an update on the weather?"

"Yes, boss"

He nods as he goes into the other room.

I then turn to Madog, clenching my fist as I ask.

"Madog, how are we for weapons?"

Maddox laughs as he replies,

"Well, you know me, boss. I have enough fuckin weapons to blow up this goddam mountain if needed."

I laugh as I say

"haha, and that's why they call you Madog."

But I've never been more thankful in my life. Tank comes back into the room looking worried as he says.

"The storm is heading our way swiftly; we're stuck up here for the time being"

I shrug my shoulders as I reply, knowing there's nothing we can do about the weather. All we can do is keep her safe.

"Okay, let's make sure we're ready for the unexpected, weapons loaded and ready to go, secure all the doors and windows, and we bunker down for the night."

Tank nods his head as he replies.

"Okay, boss."

Maddox makes his way to the windows as he says.

"Got it, bro."

Once we know the cabin is secure, I say to them both.

"I'll take first watch you boys get your head down."

The boys go off to their room, knowing it's going to be a long night. I go to my room and knock on the door, Laila shouts.

"Come in."

I open the door and walk-in. Leila's sat on a chair next to the bed as I ask her.

"How's she doing, Laila?"

Laila looks over at our lifeless guest as she speaks.

"She's out cold, but I've pumped her with painkillers."

She frowns as she carries on......

"She's really been put through it. Jake pretty certain she has broken ribs. She's showing signs of sexual abuse or rape. She has bite marks all over her breasts and also on the top of her thighs."

I clench my fists, my heartbreaking as I think about what this woman has been through. I swear if I get my hands on them, they'll never walk again.

"fuckin bastards".

I curse as I look down at her. Laila stands up as she says.

"We need to get her down off this mountain, but the storm is closing in tonight."

"you think she's gonna make it, Laila?"

I ask; for some reason, I feel drawn to this woman, and the thought of her not pulling through leaves me with a heavy heart. Laila looks over at me as she says.

"She's a tough little cookie; that's for sure I'm hoping she's over the worst. We've just gotta wait for her to wake up now."

I pull the covers up around her shoulders and make my way to the living area. Laila follows me. I look at her as I say.

"Go and get some sleep; Laila; it looks like it might be a long night."

Laila laughs as she says.

"No way, swift, we always do watch in pairs. Come on, pour us whiskey and deal the cards, boss."

I laugh even though I'm not feeling the humour. I pour us both a large whisky before checking the security monitors while Laila deals the cards. It's going to be a long-ass night, that's for sure.

I try to play cards, but my mind is filled with images of the beautiful young blonde woman lying in my bed.

She has to pull through!