“In a sense, yes.” Slade looked away from her as his mind bellowed for him to lie, but his loyalty to her refused. She deserved the truth, but the truth was enough to bring him to his knees, which was exactly where he was—on his knees in front of the woman he loved more than his own life.
Her small hand touched his cheek bringing his face to hers. “But I don’t want to be human,” she whispered for his ears only, but everyone in the room heard her words.
Slade felt her pain and fear in each word. His eyes searched hers and without him saying another word, understanding flashed across her face.
“I won’t be human, will I?” Jill didn’t take her eyes off him as they opened wider with realization. “Neither will I be a half-breed. Hunter’s right. I’m dying, aren’t I?”
Head bowed for a split second, the tick in Slade’s jaw beat fast and hard as he slammed his eyes shut, getting himself under control. With a fluid motion, he swept her into his arms and stood. “No, you are not going to die.” His voice rose with each word as he turned toward Sloan. “I want a meeting with whatever asshole I need to meet with in the human government.”
Sloan nodded, silent for once.
“Go take care of Pam and I will be up there in a half an hour, but do not under any circumstance let her feed from you.” Slade ordered Duncan before turning to Adam. “I need you in my office to take blood.” After Adam nodded, Slade turned and walked out the door, holding Jill close.
For the first time, every Warrior in Sloan’s office was silent as the grim reality of what was happening shadowed their world.
CHAPTER 7
Caroline sat on the rotting roof of her new house, a notepad in her hand wondering if this was indeed going to trump Rod and be the biggest mistake she had ever made in her life. Looking around the property, all she saw was thick lush woods. It was absolutely beautiful. So what if the house was about to fall apart around her; she could always pitch a tent.
Lana and her parents thought she was nuts and did everything in their power to talk her out of the purchase, but nothing they said could sway her. She wanted this property and it was now hers.
While going through a very short time of feeling sorry for herself, she had watched a lot of television and got hooked on shows about flipping houses. Buying beautiful properties that needed loving care, fixing them up then reselling them sounded perfect. At this point, she didn’t know what she wanted to do after flipping it, but as her eyes scanned over her backyard, she knew this was her forever home in all its peeling paint and rotting roof glory. She felt it the moment she pulled into the driveway the first time. It was her place to do what she wanted.
So what if she had to do it alone. She could do this without the help of a man, well except a roofer who was due there any minute. She was done with men in so many ways. Her dad was the only male she would ever trust.
Running her tongue along her lips, her stomach tightened as her mind drifted to the kiss she shared with Jax. No man had ever kissed her that way and what upset her most was no man probably would. He was one of the main reasons she got addicted to all the home improvement shows because she never left the house after that kiss. She just stayed in and watched television eating Grater’s Double Chocolate Chip Ice Cream out of the container with the biggest spoon she could find. It would totally be his fault if she had made the biggest mistake in her life buying the rundown farmhouse and not being able to fit in her clothes, the ass. It felt damn good blaming him, which she did just in spite. Not one phone call, text or anything from him since the kiss. She had even stopped going to see Lana hoping to get a peek at him. It didn’t take her long to get the hint, so she turned her fascination with the Warrior into anger, ice cream and home improvement.
“Screw him,” she whispered to herself, and then smiled, realizing the power of those words. “Screw him!” she said louder, with more force.
“What in the hell are you doing up there?” A familiar voice called from the ground. “And who the fuck do you want to screw?”
Caroline jumped, her phone flying out of her hand. She scrambled to catch it, but it hit the roof and plunged toward the ground. Sliding on her butt as quick as she could, she was too late. It went over the edge and into the hand of a man who wasn’t the roofer.
She sighed in relief that her phone wasn’t smashed on the ground, but frowned at the man who saved it. “What are you doing here?”
“I asked you first.” His frown was fierce as he glared up at her. “You’re going to break your damn neck.”
“I have a roofer coming and wanted to see how bad it was before he got here,” she replied, wondering why she replied at all. “Not that it’s any of your business. How did you even know where I was?”
“Lana. Now stay there and don’t move,” Jax ordered, pointing at her with her phone.
“Kill sister...check, and don’t order me around.” Caroline stood, putting her hands on her hips. Realizing she could never win a staring contest with Jax Wheeler, she turned away to walk to the front side of the roof where the ladder was.
“Caroline.” The warning in his voice was clear, but she totally ignored him.
Not liking his tone of voice, she stomped her way up the roof without thinking. How dare he talk to her like that after ignoring her. “He can kiss my as...” She had been mumbling to herself before the roof gave way under her feet.
******
Jax shook his head as he watched her stomping on what he was sure was a rotten roof. She was saying something, but he wasn’t paying attention. The sound of cracking filled his ears. In two strides, he was jumping onto the roof and reached her just as the roof opened up beneath her. Her scream cut short when he grabbed her, cleared the house and landed in her front yard.
“Are you hurt?” He set her down, going instantly to his knees knowing one of her legs went through the roof.
“No.” Her answer was breathless.
“What the hell happened?” Blaze followed by Hunter came rushing up to them.
“She decided to stomp around on a rotten roof.” Jax knew his tone was harsh, but the thought of her falling through the roof scared the shit out of him.
“Not a very smart thing to do.” Hunter glanced at the roof then back to her. “The whole place looks like it needs to be burned to the ground.”
“Excuse me.” Caroline gave him her best teacher stare. “And who are you?”
He gave her a sexy smile. “The name’s Hunter Fos—”
His smile didn’t move her in the least. “I didn’t ask for your opinion, kid.” Then she looked at Blaze who was trying to wipe the grin off his face. “And you?”
“Blaze.” He cleared his throat.
She nodded to him. “Since he’s too rude to introduce us, I’m Caroline, and it’s nice to meet you...” She glanced at Hunter with a frown. “I think. And that’s my home you’re talking about burning down.”
All three men glanced behind her to the shack she just called home. Jax frowned. “Your what?”
“My home.” She smiled, looking at it as if seeing a palace instead of a falling-down, paint-peeling, termite-infested mess.
“I hope you can get your money back.” Hunter winced when he heard a loud noise of boards falling from inside the house.
“And that kind of talk won’t get you invited to dinner,” Caroline snapped at him when she brushed past them, head held high to see what the noise was.
All three men watched her walk away, three pairs of eyes on her ass. Hunter took off after her. “Looks like I need to correct the pretty lady on the kid remark.” His eyes remained fixed on the sway of her hips.
Jax grabbed him by the shirt tossing him back. “If you want to live, you’ll shut the fuck up.”
Hunter growled at him, but backed off at the look Jax tossed his way.
“You got a death wish?” Blaze stopped Hunter from following Jax. “Back off before I send you packing.”
Jax heard every word spoken behind him, but ignored it as
he followed Caroline into... He glanced at the sad little building and had a hard time calling it a house. He stopped just inside the door spotting Caroline staring up at the huge hole in her ceiling.
“Crap,” Caroline cursed, staring up at the hole with her hands on her hips.
“Don’t stand there,” Jax ordered, expecting more danger to head her way.
Caroline turned to give him an evil frown. “This is your fault.”
“My fault?” Jax glared back at her. “If this is the way you say thank you for saving you, you suck at it.”
That stumped her for a second as she bit her lip. He could actually see her mind working. “Well, I wouldn’t have needed saving if you wouldn’t have made me mad.”
“Ah, I see.” Jax shook his head and folded his arms. This woman drove him absolutely insane and he wanted nothing more at that moment than to taste those frowning lips again. “So because I showed concern for your safety, you got mad and stomped on a disintegrating roof.”
“What do you want, Jax?” Caroline quickly looked away from him and started cleaning up the mess in the middle of her kitchen floor. “I’m obviously busy and the roof guy is going to be here any minute. If you’re here to tell me not to bother you anymore, well, I haven’t been. I’m sorry I sent those two texts after you said to stay away...lesson learned.”
Jax watched her, but kept a close eye on the ceiling above her head, ready for action if more boards and plaster decided to fall.
“And you didn’t need to bring your buddies with you.” She huffed picking up a large board and staggered as she moved it out of her way. “I got the hint.”
Walking over, he nudged her out of the way grabbing the heavy boards before turning around to face her. “What in the hell are you talking about?” He glared down at her.
“Do you need your hearing checked?” Caroline ushered him out of her way continuing to clean up. “I thought vampires had excellent hearing.”
“I heard you perfectly.” Jax growled as he looked up to check the safety, but it didn’t look safe at all. “I just don’t understand what your problem is.”
“No problem, Jax. Just tell me what you want.” Caroline tossed a large piece of plaster which landed directly on his foot. “Sorry.” She muttered in a tone that clearly said she wasn’t sorry at all.
Hurt crossed her face before she turned away twisting his gut. Dammit, he sucked when it came to women. He never said the right thing and more times than not, he ended up slapped or cursed. Frowning down at his plaster-covered shoes and pants, he sighed. “I am still trying to find Mika and need to know if you’ve talked to my sister.”
With her back turned toward him, her shoulders stiffened. It was a minute before she answered.
“No, I haven’t,” she replied, her face blank of any emotion. “Is that all?”
Fuck no, that wasn’t all, he wanted to shout, but didn’t. He was trying to keep her safe, but she was too stubborn to see that. His brother would stop at nothing to harm anyone associated with him. Before he could say anything, Blaze stuck his head inside the front door.
“Some guy just pulled in.” Blaze glanced up at the ceiling. “Damn.”
Caroline walked past Jax without looking at him, straight past Blaze and out the door.
Jax started after her, but stopped when he spotted a sleeping bag in the corner of the room. Blaze followed his gaze.
“She cannot be sleeping in this place.” Blaze frowned at the sleeping bag complete with pillow and a lantern.
“Son of a bitch.” Jax headed toward the door, but his eyes stayed on her little sleeping place. She was crazy.
******
Taking a deep breath as she stepped outside, Caroline tried to calm herself down. Damn that man to hell. Why did she fall for the assholes? Every single freaking time. ’Cause you’re stupid, that’s why.
“Ms. Fitzpatrick?” a male voice interrupted her thoughts.
Caroline looked up to see an attractive man heading toward her, his smile friendly. He was well built, a little short for her liking... What in the hell was she doing? Was she that damn desperate that any good-looking guy smiling at her was a potential date to take her mind off the vampire whose kiss she couldn’t forget?
“Yes, you must be Mr.... roofer guy.” My God, she just sucked. “Sorry, I’m a little over my head here and can’t remember anything.”
He laughed; it was a pleasant laugh. “Just call me Gary.”
“Well, Gary, I’m sure glad you’re here.” She turned to lead him to the house and ran smack into Jax who reached out to steady her from falling on her ass. Stepping back away from his broad chest, she looked up to see him glaring at the man following her. “If I hear anything from Alisha, I’ll let you know,” she dismissed him, but she should have known that no one dismissed Jax Wheeler if he didn’t want to be dismissed.
When Jax didn’t budge, she skirted around him, past Blaze and Hunter who also wore frowns. Hunter’s was more like a smirk as he stared over her head at what she figured was Jax.
Gary, the roofer guy, was looking at the roof with narrowed eyes. “Well, I can tell you now before even climbing up there you have a lot of rotten wood to deal with.”
“Kind of figured that out already, Gary.” Caroline sighed when they stepped inside and she pointed toward the hole.
Gary paused under the hole and inspected it with a frown. “Anybody hurt?”
“No,” Caroline replied, her gaze skimming past Jax, her face heating with a blush. “So what do you think this is going to cost me?”
Caroline was too busy scanning the ceiling to notice Gary eyeing her up and down, but Jax didn’t miss it. “Can’t say for sure yet.” He gave her a friendly smile when she did look back to him. “Let me get up there and get some measurements.”
“Oh, okay.” Caroline returned his smile and watched him walk out. “He’s a nice guy,” she said, more to herself.
“He’s a dick.” Jax snorted, glaring at Gary’s back.
“Yeah, well, you aren’t paying him, now, are you?” she told him, following Gary.
“Neither will you,” Jax vowed, taking one last glance at the sleeping bag before going outside.
“What?” Caroline heard Jax mumble something, but couldn’t make it out.
Jax shook his head as he stared at her. “Are you staying here?”
Caroline’s attention went from Gary, who was climbing the ladder, to Jax. “Yes, it’s my home.” She gave him a ‘duh’ look like she had seen so many of her kids give, then looked back at Gary who was walking on the roof. “Please be careful.”
Gary tossed her a grin. “Don’t worry. I’ve done this a million times.”
“Bet he goes through.” Hunter stood watching with what looked like a hopeful expression.
“What a mean thing to say,” Caroline scolded.
“Oh, don’t worry.” Hunter grinned. “Jax will jump to his rescue.”
“That I wouldn’t bet on.” Blaze chuckled, glancing at Jax.
“It’s not safe for you to stay here.” Jax ignored Hunter and Blaze.
Caroline ignored Jax other than rolling her eyes. As Gary climbed down the ladder, Caroline headed toward him. “So, how much is this going to hurt?” Caroline bit her lip glancing at his notebook that he had been writing in.
His eyes went straight to her lips before clearing his throat. “I need to get a quote written up before I give you an estimate. It’s going to be costly. But I’ll make sure we can work something out.” He gave her a warm smile.
Jax’s growl gained Gary and Caroline’s attention. “She just needs an estimate for a roof and nothing more.”
Caroline glared at Jax before turning back to Gary. “How long will that take?”
Gary was eyeing Jax cautiously before he answered. “I can have an estimate worked up by tomorrow afternoon.” He looked behind him at the house. “Are you staying here?”
“Yes,” Caroline answered without hesitation.
“Not
alone,” Jax added and before Caroline could say a word, he added, “We’ll be waiting for the estimate.”
Gary nodded. “Oh, okay.” He stuck out his hand. “It was nice meeting you, Ms. Fitzpatrick.”
“Thank you for coming out.” Caroline shook his hand knowing her face was flaming red as she watched Gary glance at Jax before heading quickly to his truck.
“Who in the hell do you think you are?” Caroline all but shrieked as she smacked Jax on the arm.
“We’ll go look for a tarp for the roof.” Blaze grabbed Hunter, who was watching with a huge grin.
“Awe, just when it’s getting good,” Hunter moaned, but followed Blaze.
“Telling a man you don’t know that you are staying here alone is not a smart move,” Jax replied, his frown still firmly in place.
“He’s a contactor.” Caroline sighed, really not understanding the mixed signals Jax was sending her. “And I have a gun.”
“He’s a man,” Jax replied as he walked past her. “And good.”
Caroline turned to watch as Jax jumped up on the roof to help put the tarp Blaze and Hunter found to cover the hole. Watching them work Caroline was more confused than ever and wished he was still standing in front of her so she could smack him again.
CHAPTER 8
Sloan slammed his phone down, picked it back up and slammed it again. “Stupid bastards.” He hissed, rubbing his face. He was tired, so tired of everything. He once loved his position, but lately, he just wanted to walk. Being one of the few leaders who was against coming out to the human race, that phone call just proved why he had strongly felt that way. The fear and prejudice of most, especially the ones in power positions, pissed him off to the point if rogue vampires invaded their closed-minded space, he would look the other way. “Fuck!”
Picking up his phone again, he stared at it, feeling as if the walls were closing in on him. This news deserved to be told face-to-face instead of a text or a phone call. Standing, he stretched his tense muscles before heading out of his office. He stopped, looked around and stalled. He knew what this was going to lead to. Laughter came from the kitchen as he passed, but he didn’t slow down. Silently, Sloan wondered when the last time was that he really laughed.
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