Jared (31 page)

Pam slammed out of the dressing room with Duncan hot on her heels. “What? You’re going back to him?” His tone matched the anger on his face.

Stopping suddenly
,
Pam rounded on Duncan so fast she dropped the dress. “You don’
t….” Pam just stared up at him shaking her head.

Duncan reached up to touch her, but dropped his hand before making contact. “Don’t what?” His voice calmed slightly.

Pam’s eyes glanced around at the audience they were
attracting. Bending down
,
she picked up the dress holding it close to her chest. “Stay out of my business Duncan.” She whispered before turning to hand the dress to Tessa holding back tears. “Tell Nicole I’ll come back later to take care of this.”

Tessa took the dress, but her eyes didn’t leave Pam. “Are you okay?”

Pam wouldn’t even look at Jared, could hardly look at Tessa. “No.” She turned to leave, but Jared grabbed her arm which she pulled away.

“We can protect you Pam.” Jared told her retreating back. Tessa swore she heard a sob escape Pam as she burst through the door.

Nicole walked up a few minutes later looking around. “Where did Pam go?”

“She left. She said she would be back to take care of this.” Tessa handed her the dress.

Looking at each of the
W
arriors Nicole frowned. “What the hell is going on?” When no one answered
,
she tossed her hand on her cocked hip. “
I know something’
s up because three
W
arriors standing in the middle of a bridal shop is not a
n every
day occurrence and I know you had Sid follow
to watch us, soooo.”

The only
W
arrior that would l
ook
at her was Duncan. “What do you know about that bastard she is with?”

“Not much, why?” When nobody said anything
,
a worried expression replaced her frown. “He keeps to himself mostly and Pam never really talked about him. You guys are scaring me.”

Tessa looked at Jared who actually looked away from the questions in her eyes. This so wasn’t good.

Duncan walked past Nicole not taking his
eyes
off of her. “It should.”

“Crap.”
Tessa snapped her phone closed with a curse tossing it on the bed.
Rubbing her temples
,
she walked around the room trying to think. The week she had been here had been bliss. Waking up next
to
Jared Kincaid had certainly been a highlight, but she needed to get back to reality. She was about to lose her grandfather’s house and that was not even an option. As much as she hated leaving her little dream world she needed to get things taken care of. Grabbing her phone off the
bed
,
she tossed it in her purse heading for the door.

“Hey
,
I was just coming to see you.” Adam met her in the hall.

“You good?” Tessa had noticed since the night he had a double date with Angelina and her friends his smile had been slow to make
an
appearance. She knew something was up, but was trying to give him space. He was a man now and she needed to cut the strings so he could make his own way. Not a
n
easy task for her.

Adam shrugged his shoulder. “Yeah.” He glanced at her purse. “Where you going?”

She thought about lying, but she had never lied to her brother before and she wasn’t about to start now. “The bank is going to start for
e
closure on the house.” She sighed
,
feeling a little better letting that off her chest, but hated to unload it on her brother.

“I’ve got a little money.” Adam reached around for his wallet. “We can’t lose
Gramp
’
s
house.”

“Keep your money Adam. I’ve got
ten days
to come up with
the
rest.” She really didn
’t want to take his money. He’
d done enough. “I have most of it, just a little short.”

“How short
?
” Adam frowned
,
holding his wallet in his hand.

Tessa thought about the bridesmaid dress hanging in Jared’s closet. “Just a couple hundred.”

“I’ve got seventy-five.” He opened his wallet taking the money out.

“No, you might need it.” Tessa pushed the money back at him. “I’ve got it, okay. We won’t lose the house.”

“Jared said after I get through training and join with the
W
arriors I’ll get a salary.” Adam reassured her. “I’ll be able to help out more.”

Tessa really wanted to cry, just fall on the floor and throw a big crying fit. Her brother should be in college, but that hadn’t been his fate. “How’s things going with Angelina?” Tessa ask
ed
,
instead of breaking down into tears.

“Don’t know. Haven’t talked to her since we went out last weekend.” Adam shrugged his shoulders.

“Why not? I thought things were going good between you
two
.” Tessa frowned. “She has always had su
ch a crush on you Adam and she’
s so nice.”

Adam’s eyes darkened. “What do I have to offer her sis
?
” He threw his arms out wide. “Look at me. I have no job because everyone is afraid to hire a
half-breed
, I’m not going to college so my future is unsure and she can do so much better. Deserves better.”

“Bull crap.” Tessa shoved him. “There isn’t anybody out there better for her than you.”

“You’re my sister, you have to say that.” Adam rolled his eyes.

“No…because I’m your sister I tell you when you’re being a dumb
ass and you’re being a dumb
ass.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “And if you don’t stop rolling th
ose
eyes at me I’m going
to
smack them right out of that thick head of yours.”

A small smile broke out on his face. “You can try.” He teased. “If you think you can.”

With a quickness that surprised Adam, Tessa punched him in the stomach
then kissed him on the cheek when he doubled over.
“You need to make it right with Angelina before you lose her for good.” She didn’t even turn to look at him. “You’re lucky she’s waited this long, but I bet she has a line of guys just waiting for you to screw up again.”

A low grow
l
escaped Adam’s throat surprising him. 
“It’s none of my business if she does.”

“Yeah, sure sounds
like you don’t care.” Tessa grinned walking away. “Don’t let her go Adam. I think this one you’ll regret.”

Tessa didn’t wait for him to answer, but walked away. He had to make his own choices now even if she thought he was making the wrong ones.

********

Jared hated leaving Tessa in bed alone, but it was noon and he couldn’t put
his responsibilities any longer
. Walking into the main room he groaned
.
Levi making his way inside looking at his watch. Maybe, just maybe if he stopped Levi wouldn’t notice him.

“Where’s the little human?” Levi spotted him then looked around.

Seemed like this day was going to start out in the shitter. “What are you doing here?” He continued to walk past him
,
ignoring his interest in Tessa. He knew Levi and knew the asshole just wanted to get him fired up.

Levi glanced down
the hall he had been heading to
a half grin tilted his lips before he wiped it away. “Didn’t Sloan text you?”

Jared stopped. “No.” He looked at his phone to double check.

“We have a meeting in abou
t...” Levi glanced at his watch
“two minutes. We’re meeting in the pool room.”

Suspicion brightened Jared’s eyes.
The only purpose for the pool room was for them to unwind away from their work by shooting pool or watching the large screen
TV
.
“We never have meetings in the pool room.”

“
Hey, that’s what my text says.” Levi held up
his phone offering it to Jared.

Jared hesitated for a second before turning and heading toward the pool room.
Hearing footsteps coming from the opposite direction Levi looked that way. A
n
evil grin played across his lips as Tessa rounded the corner. “
Easier than I ever thought. Must be my lucky day.
”

********

Making
it
to the main room
,
Tessa sighed. She always got lost in this damn place. Seeing Levi she groaned, but kept moving forward.

“You lost?” He cocked his eyebrow giving her a friendly smile.

Tessa eyed him for a second wondering what was going on. This guy had never
hid the fact he didn’t like her and she knew a fake smile when she was flashed on
e
. “I’m going to see my grandfather and I get turned around in here.” Tessa replied
,
unease in the pit of her stomach.

“You
r
grandfather is a delightful man.”
Levi said with his fake smile still in place.
“He’
s down that hall
,
third door on the right.”

“Thanks.” Tessa
eyed him still wondering what was up
.
“
Well, that was odd.
” She murmured to herself.

Counting the doors she thought the area looked familiar. Finding the third door closed she quietly opened
it
not wanting to wake him if he was napping
. Peeking in
,
her heart dropped to her stomach with such painful force
she took a step back
. Inside
,
against the pool ta
ble
was Jared
bent over a woman, her
hands clawing
at his back. Stunned
,
Tessa
backed away
letting the door
close quietly
.
Shocked and hurt beyond belief she made
her way back the way she came only to come face to face with Levi.

“What’s wrong?”
It was evident by the cocky smirk he knew exactly what was wrong
. “Didn’t you find him?”

The familiar heat of humiliation
burned through her body. She knew what he had done. He had sent her to that room for
the
purpose
of
hurt
ing
her and damn him
,
it
worked. “Why do you hate me so much?”

Her question set him back, the grin faded. “It’s nothing personal.” His eyes narrowed.
Tessa forced herself to give him a small smile. “That was as personal as it gets
asshole
.” Not wanting to stick around any longer she turned, walked out the door with her head hel
d high. Inside she had died,
on the outside she was steel.

********

Jared pushed Vicky away
wiping
his mouth. “Shit.” His gaze landed on her neck.
“Damn Vicky
,
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so rough.”

“You shouldn’t wait so long to feed.” She took the bar towel he handed her to clean up with.

He answered with a nod, his eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here?”

“Levi called saying he nee
ded to feed and to show up here.
” Vicky gave him her sex
y
smile. “Damn glad I did. I’ve missed you Jared.”
Her full lips went from sexy to pouty in a second flat.

Stopping her hands from pulling up his shirt
,
he frowned down at her. “Since when has Levi been feeding from you?”

“Jealous?
” She tried to pull her hands away, but he held tight. “You know you’re my fave.”

“Answer the question.”
His tone was hard
,
indicating he wasn’t playing.

“This is the first time he requested me.” Vicky frowned. “Now stop talking. I’ve missed you.”

Jared watched Vicky slowly unbutton her shirt. She was a
sexy
beautiful woman no doubt, but he felt
absolutely
nothing
for her
.
“Stop.” He growled
,
grabbing her hands to keep her
from stripping off her shirt. “It’s not going to happen.”