The President
Devil’s Henchmen MC, Book Two
By: Samantha McCoy
The President
© 2017 by Samantha McCoy
First Electronic Publication: July 16, 2017
United States of America
All rights reserved. No part of this publication mat be reproduced, redistributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in any database, without prior written permission from the author, with the exception of brief quotations contained in critical reviews. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this work may be scanned, uploaded, or otherwise distributed via the internet or any other means, including electronic or print, without the author’s written permission.
The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons, living or deceased, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Cover Design: Wicked Women Designs
Photography: Randy Sewell
Model: Niko Nomas
Samantha McCoy
[email protected]
Acknowledgments
First, I have to thank my family. My kids have been amazing throughout this entire new adventure. Michael, thank you for the numerous dinners. If it wasn’t for you, we’d probably have all starved. My husband has been pretty great too!
To my sisters - Christine and Gretchen, and my best friend Jenn - Thank you for the words of encouragement. For calming me when I freaked out. Love y’all BIG!
To my Author Besties - Thank you ladies! For everything! Much love to each of you!
To my Editor, Ms. Debra Carr; and my amazing Beta reader, Darlene Tallman - Thank you! I’m so happy you both decided to join me on this journey!
Last, but not least, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my books. This has been an amazing experience.
Chapter One
Prologue
8 years earlier
Walking into the lobby of the Sheraton Hotel, Sledge couldn’t wait to see his girl. He missed her something fierce. After being gone for nearly two months, just seeing her for a few hours hadn’t been enough. Beth was the woman he knew he would spend the rest of his life with. Being a US Navy SEAL Commander, didn’t leave a lot of time for them since he was always leaving on missions, but once he retired, they would be set for life. They had already made plans to move to Florida, buy a house on the beach, and start a family. He was looking forward to waking up every morning with her in his arms and making love to her every night. The guys in his unit called him sappy, but he didn’t care. When you loved a woman as much as he loved Beth, you’d give anything in the world to make her happy.
Sledge entered the lounge, looking around for her, but didn’t see her yet. The place was pretty full. Beth’s parents were having their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary party. Many of the most powerful political figures were in attendance tonight. Beth’s father was a Texas senator, her mother the quiet Texas debutante. Sledge was dressed to perfection in his military uniform. After a year and a half of dating, this would be the first time he’d meet her parents. If he was honest, he was really hoping to make a good impression. Upstairs in his hotel room, was a box containing the three carat diamond ring he bought yesterday. He planned to ask Beth to marry him, so making a good impression on her parents was a must. It was his current mission, and Devin “Sledge” Parks never failed a mission.
Sledge made his way over to the bar. He would just order a drink and wait. After all, he was a bit early. Beth had sent him a text message this morning, reminding him that the event started at eight o’clock this evening. It was only seven-thirty. If her parents were anything like Beth, they wouldn’t arrive on time. Beth was always ‘fashionably late’.
“Jack and Coke please,” Sledge requested when the bartender asked for his order. As the drink arrived, Sledge took a seat at the end of the bar.
His mind slipped away to last night. Beth waiting for him at the airport. She was so beautiful. Standing by the baggage claim, just waiting for him. She was tall, but nothing like Sledge’s six foot four frame. Beth was about five foot seven, slender, but still had curves that a man could hold tightly to. She had shoulder length honey blonde hair, and the most crystal blue eyes Sledge had ever seen. She was his opposite in almost everything. But they were perfect together.
A commotion caught Sledge’s attention, and when he looked up, Beth was walking into the room behind her parents. His breath caught in his throat. She was stunning. The form fitting, strapless black dress she wore clung to every curve like a second skin. Her normally straight hair was curled around her heart-shaped face. Beth looked like a walking wet dream - his wet dream. Standing from his position at the bar, his eyes latched onto hers. She gave him a smile that nearly had him going into cardiac arrest. Would he ever not be affected by her? Probably not. Sledge knew Beth would always render him near stupid and he was okay with that because she was his.
Straightening his uniform, Sledge made his way over to Beth’s side. He needed to touch her. Spending last night together wasn’t nearly enough for him. He hated being away from her. As he approached, her father looked his way.
Was that annoyance in his face, Sledge wondered? Couldn’t be, he thought, he’d never even met the man. Why would he have a problem with him?
“Good evening, honey. You look beautiful,” Sledge said pulling Beth into his side and placing a simple kiss on her temple.
“Good evening, Devin,” she said, but it sounded off to his ears. Something was wrong, but this was not the place to ask.
“Devin, I would like to introduce you to my parents. This is my father Senator Jonathan Andrews and my mother Helen. Mother, Father, this is Devin Parks,” she said very formally.
Sledge reached out to shake her mother’s hand, and then her father’s. Mr. Andrews had a firm grip, holding on a little too long for Sledge’s liking. He had a feeling this man didn’t like him, but for the life of him, Sledge couldn’t figure out why.
Mrs. Andrews placed her hand on her husband’s arm. “Let’s go mingle, Jonathan. Everyone is looking this way and I am sure Elizabeth would like to spend a few minutes with Mr. Parks,” she said.
Mr. Andrews turned his gaze to Beth and gave a curt nod. Sledge had no idea what that was about, but he would find out. He watched as Mr. and Mrs. Andrews walked off to visit with their guests.
“Okay, what was that all about?” he asked Beth.
“Um... I don’t... Do you want to dance?” she stammered. Sledge wanted to demand an answer, but he wanted to hold Beth in his arms more, so he would let the subject drop, for now.
Sledge walked them out onto the dance floor and pulled Beth into his arms. The slow music flowing through the room’s surround sound was perfect. Pulling her closer into his body, Sledge became lost in the feel of her. This was heaven. This was what he fought so hard to come home to. To Beth, his Beth. As one song turned into two, and then three, Sledge noticed the looks they were getting from Beth’s father.
What was the man’s problem?
Sledge was a decorated military officer and had several valor medals under his belt. Did Mr. Andrews think he wasn’t good enough for Beth? Sledge could understand that. He honestly could. When he and Beth had children, if they had a daughter, he wouldn’t think anyone would be good enough for his baby girl either. But Sledge had a feeling it was more than that.
“Honey, what is going on? You’re acting different. Closed off. And your father keeps looking at us like he is waiting for something.”
Beth pulled away from his embrace. “We need to talk,” she whis
pered. Grabbing Sledge’s hand, she led him through a set of double doors and out onto the terrace.
Sledge’s stomach started to revolt against the Jack and Coke he drank earlier. His gut was telling him that this was bad. Whatever she was about to say, would destroy him.
“What is it Beth?” he asked. He would beg if he had to. Anything to make this feeling go away.
She walked away from him and started picking at her finger. That was a nervous habit of hers, but why she would be nervous around him, he had no clue.
“Baby, you’re worrying me. Whatever it is, just tell me. We’ll work through it,” he pleaded.
“We can’t see each other anymore,” she blurted out.
“I’m sorry... What?” he must have heard her wrong. Because he could have sworn she said...
“Devin, I am ending this relationship. We cannot be together any...”
“No. Why?” he demanded. “Beth, you and I already have our future planned. What happened between last night and tonight?” This could not be happening.
He watched as tears started to fall down her face. It crushed him to witness it. He tried to step towards her to wipe them away, but she moved backward with each step he took.
Stopping, Sledge just looked at her. He felt his world tremble, it was falling apart around him. Beth continued to stare at the ground beneath her feet, not meeting his eyes.
“Beth, why? I deserve an answer,” he pleaded. He needed to know what happened. It was the only way to fix the problem.
“Please Devin, just... just please,” she whispered, then turned and ran back through the doors. Sledge turned to follow; it couldn’t end like this.
As he reentered the room, he saw her father. The man just stood there watching his daughter flee like the hounds of hell were chasing her, not showing a bit of concern about her quick departure. Sledge’s gaze turned back to where Beth had disappeared. She was gone... gone... and he still had no idea why.
Sledge left the party and made his way upstairs to his room. Entering, he walked to the bedside table and grabbed his cell phone. After several calls and what seemed like a stalker level of text messages to Beth, she hadn’t answered or returned a thing. Now what? His life and reason were gone. Without Beth, he had nothing. She was everything to him. His life, his heartbeat, the air that moved through his lungs. And now, he had nothing. Sledge had no idea what had changed... all the plans they had made... all for nothing.
He sat on the side of the hotel bed staring at the floor. He had no idea how long he was in that position; all he knew was when he finally stood up, his back and neck were stiff. He removed his uniform, carefully placing it back on its hangers and walked into the bathroom.
Climbing into the shower stall, he turned on the water, not caring that it shot cold spray at him. Sledge stood there, head hanging towards the ground. And for the first time since he was a child, he cried.
Shit! If his unit could see him now... they would laugh their asses off, he thought. But really, he couldn’t bring himself to care.
Sledge stood there until all the hot water was gone and the cold returned. He felt dead inside. The one woman he loved more than life, just ripped his heart out and couldn’t even be bothered with an explanation.
Turning the water off, Sledge climbed out of the shower and made his way to the bed. He didn’t even bother to dry off, he just climbed under the sheets. Tomorrow he would request another mission, ASAP. The guys would be pissed that their leave was shortened, but Sledge couldn’t stay here. His Beth was here, no not his... she would never be his...
Sledge woke to the ringing of his phone, hope growing in his chest that Beth was on the other end. But a quick glance at the caller ID sent that hope crashing down around him.
“Sir,” he stated into the device.
“Commander, you and your team are being called back out. I’m sorry. I know you were originally given two-weeks leave, but this is a mission that your team was requested to handle. Report to base immediately to obtain your orders and intel,” came the order directly from the Admiral.
“Yes Sir,” he replied as the Admiral ended the call. Guess he wouldn’t have to make that call after all, it was already made for him.
Sledge sent a mass text message to his team: “Leave is over boys. Report back to base immediately. We have been requested for a mission.”
Replies came flying back. Sledge knew his team wouldn’t be happy. Some probably hadn’t even had a chance to get laid yet. But again, he couldn’t bring himself to care. This is what he needed. There was nothing left for him here... Whoever requested his team just did him a favor.
Chapter Two
Beth
Present day
Today was going to be a crazy day. Beth had so many things she needed to get done. Derek’s birthday party was next month. She had to make calls to ensure everything was scheduled. She did not want another mess up like last year - order Star Wars themed actors and get stupid clowns instead. Beth hated clowns! She still shivered just thinking about it. She would not have a repeat this year. Everything would be perfect!
Making her way to the kitchen, she turned on the coffee pot, waiting for the delicious life-force to brew. She couldn’t do anything until after her wake up beverage. Beth was that woman. You know, the one you never speak to until she had drunk at least one cup every morning. She was not a morning person. So coffee was a must; for the protection of others, she never missed her morning dose.
While she was waiting on the machine, she walked into Derek’s room. At first she just stood at the door, staring at him. She felt the normal ache in her chest, it had been present since the day he was born. He looked so much like his father. Actually, he was the exact copy of Devin Parks. Standing there watching her son sleep, she often wondered how life would have been so different if she had never ended things between her and Devin. Derek was starting to ask questions, actually he’d been asking for a couple of years now, but Beth didn’t know what to tell him. There wasn’t anything she could say that an eight-year-old little boy would understand. Every day she lived with the regret of her actions that night, even before she found out she was pregnant. Her last night with Devin created the miracle sleeping soundly in the twin size bed. For that, she would always be grateful. Hearing the coffee maker beep, she made her way back into the kitchen. She’d drink her first cup, then wake up Derek for school.
Sitting at the table, the first taste of heaven barely made it to her lips before her phone began to ring. Seriously, who the hell would be calling her, she wondered, as she reached for the device. Looking at the caller ID, she saw it was her mother. Great! Not the person Beth wanted to deal with, especially when she’d barely had her first sip of mojo. Beth contemplated letting it go to voicemail, but finally answered it on the fourth ring. Might as well get this over with. Like always, Beth was greeted with the prissy tone of the woman who birthed her.
“What took you so long to answer the telephone, Elizabeth? It is extremely rude to waste someone’s time while you have nothing better to do than sit at the table drinking that disgusting black tar of yours,” her mother droned on.
“Mother, I just sat down. I have barely even touched my morning coffee.”
“Well, anyway. Don’t forget, you and Derek are supposed to be at dinner tonight. Your father is having some of his colleagues over. I wanted to remind you. Do not be late,” her mother stated.
This was how it normally was when dealing with Helen Andrews. No matter how old Beth was, her mother treated her like a child. Always calling to order her to this event or that. Beth hated the show she was always forced to put on. It never failed, she was put on display like a tiger in a damn circus. Show up, act like the perfect family, then leave. She wouldn’t hear from either of her parents until another show was needed.
“What time is dinner?” Beth sighed.
“Do not take that tone with me, young lady. Be here at six o’clock - sharp,” her mother told her. “And make sure you and De
rek are dressed appropriately.”
Ending the call after telling her mother they would be there, Beth drank down her cooled coffee and fixed another. At this rate, she would need several pots to get through the day. Drinking half of the newly made cup, she placed it on the counter and went to wake Derek.
With a light shake, she kissed his forehead, “Time to wake up sleepy head”.
He turned away from her with a grumble. She smiled. Yep, so much like his father.
“Come on buddy, last day of school. Then you have the whole summer to laze around,” she told him.
“Mom... just ten more minutes,” he begged, and tried to snuggle deeper into the covers.
“Nope, let’s go or you will miss the bus.”
“Fine,” he grumbled. Beth watched as Derek climbed out of bed and stretched.
“I’ll make you a bowl of cereal. Get dressed and meet me in the kitchen,” she told him as she walked out of the room.
This was her favorite part of the morning. She and Derek ate breakfast together every day. It was their routine.
Five minutes later, he walked into the kitchen and sat at the table. Beth poured milk into his bowl. They ate and talked about the day’s activities scheduled at school. Today would be a ‘Friday Fun-day’ for the last day of school before summer break.
Finishing their breakfast, Beth took both bowls to the sink and quickly washed them while Derek went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and hair. Once ready, they both walked out the door and down to the stop sign to wait for the bus. Beth never let him walk alone. This was another part of their routine. She knew one day, he would be embarrassed to have her walk him, but until that day, she would keep with tradition. Watching the bus drive down the street, she told Derek she loved him and placed a quick kiss on his head. As he stepped into the bus, she wished him a great last day of third grade and waved as the bus drove away.
Beth walked the short distance back home. She had a lot to accomplish. Work, laundry, and cleaning the house. It never seemed to end. Entering the house, she refilled her cup and got busy. So much to do, and so little time to do it. The life of a single parent.
The President: Devil's Henchmen MC, Book Two Page 1