Sid (The Protectors Series) Book #4 (5 page)

Sid continued to stare at her, knowing she was lying through her pretty white teeth framed with luscious red lips. She had calmed down, but he could feel the fear rolling off her. Taking off his jacket, he wrapped it around her. “Now that that’s taken care of, why are you lying to me?”

“I’m not lying
,” Lana lied. “Who’s in charge? I think it would be better if I talk to him.”

“
Why, so you can lie to him?” Sid could get on anyone’s nerves when he wouldn’t let go of something. He knew she was lying, and she was going to tell him the truth whether she knew it or not.

“
You’re annoying.” Lana frowned up at him.

“So I’ve been told.”
His lip twitched, but didn’t spread into a grin.

Lana stared at his mouth before snapping her head away. Spotting Sloan
, she pointed at him. “Is he in charge?” When Sid didn’t answer, she turned to look at him. “Stop staring at me!”

“He’s my boss
, yes, but I’m in charge of this investigation, so stop lying and…” this time he did grin, “let’s get this show on the road.” He cocked an eyebrow at her after throwing her words back in her face.

“Ass
,” Lana mumbled under her breath, and turned back toward Sloan.

“Liar
,” Sid mumbled loud enough for her to hear him.

“I am not a liar
,” she lied again. God, if he only knew.

“What happened to your neck?” Sid pushed, which is something he did best. He pushed people to the point they wanted to tear his eyes out
, and she was getting close to that point.

“Do you want to know what I saw or not?” Lana pushed back. “I have things to do and don’t have time to stand in the damn woods all night.”

“Yes, I do, after you tell me how those bruises appeared out of nowhere.” Sid liked sparring with her. Her facial expressions were all over the place.

“I told you
,” Lana shot back. “Why do you keep pushing the issue?”

‘Because your friend is trying her best to block me, but she’s having a hell of a time.” Sid glanced at Amy
, who looked really nervous.

“You’re reading her?” Lana frowned
, slapping her hands on her hips. She then slapped his arm hard, and shook her hand with a pained expression. “Well, stop it.”

“No.” Sid narrowed his eyes
, first at Lana, then at Amy.

“Empty your head
, Amy,” Lana ordered her friend.

“It usually is, but it feels weird.” Amy put her hand to her head.

Sid grinned at Amy’s answer. “Just relax, Amy. It will only take a minute, and please stop thinking about the last guy you dated,” Sid grimaced. “It’s kind of grossing me out.”

“Stop it.” Lana pushed Sid
, who didn’t budge an inch. “Leave her alone.”

“No
,” he responded with the one word that seemed to get on Lana’s nerves, so he made sure he used it often.

“Keep thinking of that guy
, Amy.” Lana pointed at Amy as an evil grin broke across her lips. “Think of him naked.”

Sid glared at Lana
, but inside he laughed. She was so much like him it was scary. That is exactly something he would have said. “That’s so not cool, Lana.”

“What the hell is going on?” Sloan walked up
, looking at all three of them. Lana and Sid were glaring at each other, while the other girl, Amy, was holding her head with a goofy grin on her face.

“I’m trying to get the truth out of her.” Sid pointed at Lana,
and then he tilted his hand pointing, his thumb toward Amy. “And she’s thinking of her last date naked, which in truth, she could do much better.”

Amy popped her eyes open
, looking at Sid. “He’s pretty hot.”

“But he’s hung like an ant
,” Sid snorted, shaking his head.

Shrugging
, Amy stood with a thoughtful gleam and nodded her head.

“You’re disgusting
,” Lana hissed at Sid crossing her arms.

Sid
nodded with a large smile. “Sticks and stones, baby, sticks and stones.”

“Don’t call me that
,” Lana hissed.

Sloan looked like he was ready
to explode. “Sinclair, you are pushing it. Do your damn job and stop….” Sloan sputtered, not knowing what the hell to say, “doing whatever you’re doing.”

“Okay
, boss.” Sid held back from saluting Sloan. He didn’t need to push it that far.

“Take them back to the compound
,” Sloan grumbled, turning to leave. “I’ll be there as soon as the coroner gets here.”

“Right away
, sir.” Sid grabbed Lana’s arm, leading her out of the woods. “Guess since everyone else left, I’m riding with you ladies. Stop thinking of naked men, Amy, and come on,” Sid called out over his shoulder.

“Where we going?” Amy, who was the tall bubbly
-blonde type Sid usually went for, plucked her way through the wooded area behind them.

“To the VC Council interrogation room
,” Sid replied with an evil grin as he winked down at Lana’s shocked face.

“Shit
,” both women whispered at the same time.

Hearing them
, Sid frowned, wondering what else these two women, who appeared out of nowhere, were lying about.

Chapter 5

Jill sat at the compound playing with little Daniel. With Pam being a half
-breed and the birth coming way sooner than nine months, Daniel was perfect and growing at a normal weight. Slade kept a close eye on him, and so far, he seemed like a normal, healthy baby boy.

“You’re good with him
,” Pam smiled, watching Jill with Daniel. “And he likes you.”

“He likes everybody.” Jill laughed when Daniel’s little fists shot into the air as a toothless grin spread across his lips. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a happier baby.”

“And he has every Warrior wrapped around his little finger.” Nicole bent down, tapping Daniel on the nose. “Especially Sid, who steals him away from everyone.”

“
Duncan’s already teaching him the ways of a Warrior,” Pam smiled. “I’m going to have gray hair very soon, I’m afraid.”

“With all of these Warriors
, you don’t stand a chance, Momma.” Tessa walked in, hearing their conversation. “Jared thinks he is going to be a great Council leader.”

“Well
, I hope that’s the case, because then there might be less fighting.” Pam replied.

They all looked at each other and laughed knowing how ridiculous that statement really was. “Don’t think you’re going to be that lucky
,” Jill chimed in.

Hearing commotion outside in the entryway
, the women watched as their Warriors walked in, each going to their mates except for Slade, who stood back.

Daniel turned his little head at the sound of Duncan’s voice.

“Guess my time’s up.” Jill stood, handing Daniel, who began squirming his way toward Duncan.

“How’s my little Warrior?” Duncan he
ld Daniel up with a proud grin. The women looked at each other knowingly before they started laughing. “What?” Duncan frowned.

The loud buzzing from the front door broke the eas
e of the moment. The men went into Warrior mode. With the women being left regularly at the compound alone and with the addition of Daniel, the doors were locked at all times with a high tech security system in place.

Without a word
, Damon took the lead and walked out.

Jill glanced at Slade
, who was smiling as he watched Duncan and Daniel. His eyes turned toward her and his smile faded slightly. To say that didn’t sting a little would be a lie, but Jill shoved it aside, trying not to allow his indifference to bother her. She was getting used to pushing her feelings aside.

“Someone here to see you
, Jill.” Damon’s voice quieted the room.

Jill’s eyes shot from Slade to a tall
, muscular man dressed in black leather from head to toe. His dark brown hair hung to his shoulders, but was brushed back away from his handsome face. He had a duffle bag slung on one wide shoulder and a helmet in his hand. Jill had no clue who he was, and it clearly showed on her face.

“Can I help you?” Jill asked puzzled
. Not that she wasn’t mildly interested as to why this handsome man would be here to see her.

“I’m Corbin Tomblin.”
His golden eyes brightened as they roamed up and down her body, clearly liking what he saw. Setting his helmet and bag down against the wall, he stood to full height and made his way toward her. Taking her hand, he kissed it softly, his eyes still on hers. “I was sent by Sid Sinclair.” His voice was deep with a sexy twang.

“
Ah, okay. But why?” Jill still had no clue what was going on, but she could seriously get used to handsome men kissing her hand like she was a special lady. Wow, just wow.

He looked around at the eyes on them. “Can
we go somewhere private?” He looked back down at her, his smile charming.

“This is about as private as you’re going to get.” Slade took a step forward
; the snarl matched the growl in his voice.

The man’s eyes darkened as he shot a glare at Slade. Bring
ing his attention back to Jill, he smiled, “I’m here as your blood donor.” His eyes once again caressed her body.

Jill gasped
, pulling her hand away. “My what?”

Before
a word could be spoken, someone else buzzed the door. Damon again went out and came right back with another man following. “You have another visitor, Jill.” Damon couldn’t wipe the grin off his face.

“Oh
, my God,” Jill whispered as the door buzzed repeatedly. Before she knew what was happening, there were six of the most handsome men she had ever seen standing before her, and all of them were there for her; she had never felt so humiliated in her life.

“You and Daniel go upstairs
,” Duncan told Pam.

“Duncan
, he’s fine,” Pam whispered, watching the scene unfold as well as checking Jill’s choices, which weren’t bad at all. However, Duncan was watching Slade and things could get ugly real fast.

“Now
, Pam,” Duncan ordered as he nodded toward Slade, who looked ready to tear the place apart.

“Okay, darn it
,” Pam kissed Duncan then waved at Jill, but not before pointing to the guy she thought Jill should pick. She gave Jill a thumbs-up before exiting the room.

“I think you and Nicole need to go ahead and leave to
o,” Jared told Tessa.

“Not on your life
,” Nicole shot back. “I am so wanting to see how this is going to play out, so I’m not leaving this spot. I don’t have a precious baby on my hip.” Nicole just smiled when Damon growled at her.

Jill watched Duncan order Pam out of the ro
om. One of the men stepped into her vision, and for the life of her, she couldn’t remember his name. Not to be outdone, the other five surrounded her and started talking at once. She was overwhelmed, and so out of her league, her stomach trembled with nausea. She glanced over at Slade, who leaned against the wall, arms crossed, staring at her and glaring at them.

“So
, Jill,” one of the men, Chaz she thought was his name, smiled down at her. “What’s wrong with you that Sid had to call us in to be your donors?”

That question snapped her head back around. “Excuse me?”

“What the hell is wrong with you, man?” Another man, who she definitely couldn’t remember his name, gave him a little push.

“
I’m just being realistic.” He pushed back, his voice raising. “She’s fucking hot, but there has to be a reason no one here wants her to feed from them. We have a right to know.”

“There is nothing wrong with me
,” Jill replied, anger beginning to burn in her veins, her nausea forgotten. She was going to kill Sid. “And I’m not the one who called you.”

“Hey
, calm down, baby.” One reached to touch her face, but she dodged his touch.

“Get the fuck out!” Slade’s
angry voice boomed through the room. “Get the fuck out now!”

Jared and Damon pushed Nicole and Tessa a safe distance away, but not before Damon slapped a fifty in Jared’s palm. At Tessa’s frown
, Jared grinned. “I bet Damon that Slade would blow within fifteen minutes, and well, I won.”

“Asshole
,” Damon growled, but his eyes stayed on the situation unfolding.

“What?” The first guy
who showed up frowned at Slade. “I didn’t come all this way just for the hell of it.”

“
Yeah, you did,” Slade replied, his eyes glowing black. “Now, get the fuck out.”

“No, I’m not leaving without…”

Slade was against the wall one minute and in the guy’s face the next. “It’s not in your best interest to piss me off any more than I already am.” Slade towered over the guy. “Now get your leather-wearing ass out of here, and take your friends with you.”

“I said I’m not leaving…” He couldn’t finish his sentence because
he was laying on the floor, knocked out cold.

“Anyone else not leaving?” Slade looked them each in the eye.

The other four backed down quickly
, but the one who hadn’t said much looked at Jill. “I’d really like to call on you sometime.” He held out a piece of paper. Everyone in the room stared at it like it was an explosive device. “It’s my phone number,” he added, pushing it toward Jill.

“We know what it is
, dumbass.” Slade grabbed the paper, wadded it up and tossed it on the ground.

Jill watched the battle between the two men. Even though this guy had been quiet
, he had a fire in his eyes as he stared up at Slade. Glancing around, she saw Jared and Damon had moved a little closer. Damon was serious as usual, but Jared had a mischievous half-grin as he watched everything unfold. If Sid were here, she’d kick his ass. Well, okay, she wouldn’t kick his ass, but she could cuss him out better than anyone. Sick of being humiliated anymore and wanting to spare having blood spilled because of her, which she’d be blamed for and probably kicked out of the program, she stepped between the two vampires who were having a pretty impressive staring contest.

“Listen….
ah…” Dammit, why couldn’t she remember his name? “Ah, I appreciate you all stopping by, but Sid was mistaken and shouldn’t have called you.”

“Well
, I’m glad he did. I will definitely be calling to ask you out, whether you need a blood donor or not, but it would be my absolute pleasure to give you every drop of blood I have, or anything else you might...” Breaking eye contact with Slade, he winked down at her with a sexy grin, “…need.”

Slade’s grin was evil as he shook his head. “You were warned.”
His grin faded as he grabbed the guy and threw him through the nearest wall.

Everyone stood frozen in shock except for Slade
, who stepped through the hole, heading for the guy who was trying to stand up. Jill was the first to jump into motion. Quickly stepping over the guy, who had been knocked out, she ran past Slade, blocking him and helping the guy to his feet.

“Are you okay?” Jill’s eyes were wide as saucers,
but narrowed at Slade. “What is wrong with you?”

“Get out of the way
, Jill.” Slade grabbed her and pulled her aside.

“No, I won’t get out of the way
,” Jill glared at Slade before turning back to the men. “You need to leave and take him with you.” Jill pointed to the man in leather who was finally waking.

Damon walked out into the entryway holding leather
-guy up by the arm. Jared followed, looking at the hole in the wall, then to Slade. “Damn, dude, and I thought Damon’s temper was bad.”

“What t
he hell is your problem, bro?” The one who sailed through the wall took an aggressive step forward.

“I’m not your bro
, motherfucker.” Slade’s eyes were burning black as coal. “If I ever see you around here again, I will break you in half.”

Jared stepped in the guy’s line of vision
, blocking him from Slade. “I know what you’re thinking, and I
think
what you’re thinking is going to get you worse than a trip through a wall. I suggest you tuck your man card in your wallet and walk out while you still can.”

“Get out!” Jill pointed to the door. She was so done. When no one moved, but just stood staring at each other in a
battle of who had bigger balls, Jill lost it. “Get the fuck out!”

Drywall
Guy turned his head to look at her, causing a dusty cloud of drywall flying in the air; his golden eyes darkened and narrowed in anger. “Honey, you best learn your place,” he sneered. “For someone who has to have other people find you a blood donor, you’re turning out to be more trouble than you’re worth. You best watch that mouth of yours before I find better use for it.”

“Well shit!” Jared stepped out of the way as soon as the last word was spoken
; he knew the Slade train was making a stop on this dude’s face.

Jill watched in horror as all hell broke loose. When the other four
stepped in to help their guy, Damon, Jared and Duncan grinned, jumping into the fight.

“No!” Jill yelled, but it was no use. The whole entryway was getting demolished
, and she was going to get blamed for it all. Glancing over in panic at Nicole and Tessa, who had come closer, she knew by the look in their eyes she was screwed and not in a good way. “Dammit!”

“Jill
, no!” Nicole shouted when Jill jumped into the middle of the fighting men.

Jared was pounding away at one when another was rushing him from behind. Jill took off
, tackling him from the side and taking him to the ground. The guy turned, landing a fist to the side of her face and knocking her half way across the room. When people said they saw stars, they weren’t lying; she saw freakin’ stars, stripes and little floaty things. Shaking her head, she went up on her elbows trying to clear her vision.
Damn, that hurt.
Not one to cower
and
the fact that she was a Warrior in training, she jumped up, swaying a little, but took a step forward to jump back in.

Everything had stopped. Damon had one guy by the neck
; Jared straddled one on the floor, Duncan had one in a headlock and Slade just stood with his foot on another’s chest, holding him down. They all stared at her, even the six blood donor recruits. “What?” Jill frowned, looking behind her then back at them.