“I can’t believe you used VC as your name,” Jared laughed, shaking his head as he watched Vincent fall face first into the wooded muck. “You got balls, Sinclair, and Sloan is going to have them nailed to his wall when he finds out you used that name.”
“Yeah, well, hopefully, I can keep it, but it seems my cover’s been blown.” He glanced over at Lana, who was staring at him. “But the ladies seem to like it.” Sid winked at her.
Lana couldn’t quite grasp what had just happened. She was frozen in place trying to put the last few minutes’ events into some semblance of order. They were safe. We’re okay, she thought in relief. Just as the relief hit her, a new emotion brimmed to the surface. Rage. She was fucking furious in an instant. Her legs moved forward of their own volition and then stopped in front of Sid, formally known as VC. The thought had her top lip forming into a sneer.
“No need to thank me,” he replied down at her, his well-known and well-used cocky grin playing across his full lips, but then he frowned, turning serious. “Though, you blew my cover, and you should have that pretty little ass of yours beat for pulling a stunt like you just pulled. What the hell were you thinking rushing him like that?”
“You’re a VC Warrior?” she asked through clenched teeth, looking up at the smug expression on his face and totally ignoring his ass-beating comment.
“Yes, darlin’, I am,” Sid replied. His frown was once again replaced with a confident grin as he crossed his arms as if waiting for her to bow down and give her thanks and undying love.
With everything she had, she jumped up and punched him in the face, knocking his head to the side. “You son of a bitch!” she shouted, not caring if she sounded like a hysterical banshee. The smug vamp deserved it.
“What the hell was that for?” Sid rubbed his jaw, looking a little shocked that a woman dare hit him.
“We have been through hell. I was knocked out of a tree, dragged across the ground, threatened; plus, I had to watch as a gun was held to my friend’s head, and you could have stopped it all at any time, but didn’t!” She jumped up and tried to punch him again, but he smoothly moved out of the way.
“I saved your life, lady,” Sid growled, a look of confusion on his face. “I’d think you’d appreciate that.”
“Appreciate?” she sputtered. “You asshole.” Instead of trying to punch him in the face, she snuck a quick punch to his stomach before stomping away, more than ready to get the hell out of there. There was no way she intended to stay around the asshole for any longer than she had to. “VC Warrior, my ass.”
“Gun!” someone shouted, and that was all Lana remembered before darkness claimed her.
Chapter 2
Jill walked down the hallway to Slade’s office. She dreaded what was to come, but orders were orders, and she had to follow them. Steve was just coming out as she made her way to the door.
“Hey,” Steve smiled, giving her a knuckle bump.
“Hey,” she grinned back. Steve was always upbeat and had a smile for everyone. “So, how bad was it?” She nodded toward the closed door.
“Not bad at all, mostly questions.” He shrugged. “No big deal, but I have to get going. Sloan has a job for me. See ya.”
“Yeah, see ya.” Jill frowned, watching him go. She really would have liked to talk to him for a while. Anything was better than walking through that door. Ever since she fed from Dr. Buchanan, it had been awkward whenever they were together. Well, it was awkward for her; he just didn’t seem to give a damn.
“I don’t have all day,” his deep voice rumbled from behind the door.
Rolling her eyes, she pushed open the door. “Hi.”
He sat at a desk, scribbling something down. “Sit on the table,” he replied, not even looking at her.
Jill walked over and lifted herself onto the examination table. Her eyes scanned the room before falling on his broad back. He was a far cry from any doctor she had ever been to. His shoulder-length hair was loose; his large hand kept pushing it back out of his golden eyes. His black t-shirt was tucked into his snug blue jeans. He looked more like a sexy bad boy than a doctor.
Slade stood, grabbing a file before turning toward her, his eyes briefly giving her a once-over before flipping through the papers. “You missed your appointment last week.”
“Sorry, I had something I had to take care of,” Jill replied, keeping the nervousness out of her voice. She actually missed all the appointments. She knew the other half-breeds had already had two visits; she’d had none.
His eyes snapped up from her file, pinning her to the spot. “I was here all day.” His tone was stern, as if talking to a child. “Don’t miss again.”
She had to bite her lip from snapping back a reply she would probably regret. She didn’t want him to look over her personal information. Her infatuation with this huge vampire was out of control, and it scared her. She had done her best to stay away from him, but it seemed every time she turned around, he was there. Now, he was going to touch her, ask her personal questions. This was a cruel fate she had to endure. She just prayed she didn’t make a fool of herself by wrapping herself around his rock-hard body like she had done when she fed from him. Nope, she couldn’t do this…not yet.
“Don’t get off that table,” his tone deepened when she started to slide off. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine!” Jill snapped, scooting back on the table. He made her feel like a child, and it pissed her off.
“Any problems you need to discuss?” His eyes didn’t leave her file.
“No.”
He cocked his eyebrow at her short answer, but kept his eyes on the file. “Is your full name Jillian Robin Nichols?”
“Yes.”
He scribbled something in the file. “You’re eighteen-years-old?” He looked up when she didn’t answer.
Jill squirmed, looking everywhere but at him. “No.”
“No?” The discomfort in his voice was evident. “Nineteen?”
She shook her head, peeking at his handsome face, which looked strained.
“Younger or older?” This time he snapped his question at her.
“I’m twenty. I’ll be twenty-one next month.” Embarrassment heated her cheeks.
“Didn’t you go to high school with Adam and Steve?” Slade put the file down, crossing his arms.
“Yes,” Jill sighed, not wanting to talk about this. “Next question.”
“You just graduated?” He didn’t let it go.
“Yes,” she nodded, not wanting this man to know what a failure she had been. “I graduated with Adam and Steve as well as Jeff.”
“This doesn’t add up. Why are you so much older than them?” He was like a dog with a bone; he wouldn’t let it go.
“Is this part of my examination, because if not, next question.” Jill squirmed on the table with agitation.
He seemed to hesitate, but of course, he wasn’t going to drop it. Jill sighed in exasperation when she saw he was going to continue playing twenty-questions. “Answer the question, Jill. How is it a twenty-year-old just graduated from high school?”
“Because I failed two years of grade school.” Jill hated to be drilled, and dammit, if it wasn’t for wanting to be a Warrior, she would tell him to shove it up his sexy ass. She was mortified. The last thing she wanted was for the guy she had the hot’s for to know her failures.
Slade didn’t say a word. He remained in place and stared at her with an unrelenting focus.
“Don’t you need to write that down in the file?” Jill reverted to her smart-ass self, trying to hide the hurt she felt at her humiliation.
He ignored her comment, but still remained silent for another pause. His arms were still crossed as he assessed her. “You’re dyslexic.” He finally looked away to pick her file back up.
“How did you know that?” she asked surprised. She knew he couldn’t read her because she had so many blocks up he’d need dynamite to bring them down. No way was he going to read her thoughts, ever.<
br />
“Because you’re intelligent; and that is the only reason I can see you being held back for two years,” he replied, while writing in her file.
He sounded so sure of himself she wanted to lie, but decided against it. “Do you have to put that in there?”
“No one will see this but me,” he assured her. “Being dyslexic is nothing to be ashamed of.”
“I’m not ashamed,” she bit out a little too quickly. It was true; she wasn’t ashamed, but her disability had always bothered her family as if they were embarrassed, so she didn’t like making a big deal about it. She dealt with it, end of story. “I just don’t see how that information is important.” Jill felt her anger start to get the better of her.
“How do you do with your reading today?” He seemed to ignore her statement.
“Struggle, but I do okay.” Jill really wanted to move on. Being dyslexic had always been an issue in her home life. It had put a burden on her family with teacher meetings and constant homework help, which she heard about daily. Being a burden to anyone rubbed her the wrong way. She coped with it, and that was that, end of story. “What does this have to do with my being a Warrior?”
“As long as it does not put you or another Warrior in danger, then it has nothing to do with it. But as your doctor, it’s my responsibility to make those determinations.” Slade’s tone was stern.
“It won’t be a problem.” She made her voice just as stern.
He nodded. “Are you still having your monthly menstrual cycles?”
“Excuse me?” Jill about came off the table. “What the hell does that have to do with anything? Did you ask Adam and the rest of them the same question?”
A half-grin tipped his sexy mouth as his eyes crinkled. He didn’t smile often, so it took her by surprise and made her brain turn to mush.
“No, that is one question I didn’t ask Adam or the others.” Humor laced his words. “If I had to ask them that question, Sloan would have more problems than he realizes.”
A frown creased her forehead as she thought about what she said. God, she was an idiot, but the question totally shocked her. He openly laughed at her with rare humor in his eyes. “You know what I mean,” Jill snorted, rolling her eyes.
He nodded, his smile fading, which she immediately thought was a shame. “So, are you?” he asked, back to business.
“Yes.” She felt her face heat again. She was going to make sure she was busy the next time her appointment came around, because no way was she going through this again. He’d have to come looking for her.
“Are you sexually active?” The question came out with a growl. He cleared his throat as his eyes came up to meet hers, his light golden eyes darkening slightly.
Finally, he looked uncomfortable, and didn’t that make her day. “Not at the moment,” her reply was a little smug, liking the tables turning. She didn’t know why he was uncomfortable; all she cared about was making him squirm a little.
“That’s obvious, Jill.” Slade frowned at her. “Are you a virgin?”
“No.” She watched his eyes darken even more at her response. “Is Adam? No, I bet Adam isn’t a virgin, but I’d bet my favorite pair of boots Steve is.” She grinned at her teasing of her friends.
“How many partners have you had?” His eyes narrowed; his body language turned as threatening as his tone.
Jill watched the transformation in awe and wanted to see if she could push him further. He was amazing when he was calm, but angry, he was mesmerizing. God, was she crazy wanting to anger this man? Yeah, she was one-hundred-percent nuts, she decided.
“How many are on a football team?” Jill asked, biting her bottom lip as if deep in thought, but her eyes stayed on him and she got what she wanted. She had definitely angered the beast.
“This is not a joke, Jillian.” Slade was in front of her in two angry strides, slamming her file down on the examination table next to her. “I’m not playing games here.”
“Neither am I.” Jill shot back. “I just don’t understand what my being a virgin, whether I’ve had a period or how many guys I’ve done it with makes a difference to being a Warrior. I mean seriously, Slade, look at it from my point of view. Have you asked Adam how many girls he’s screwed?”
“I don’t care how many girls Adam screwed.” His breath caressed her face; his eyes burned her soul. Her breath hitched at his admission. “You are the only one at the moment at high risk to be abducted and sold to the highest bidder. Have you not been paying attention? You are primed to be a breeder for those bastards out there, and would bring a grand price to anyone who sold you. I am also the doctor to the Warriors, and I need to have personal information to make sure you are progressing in a healthy way as a half-breed. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Her pulse rate accelerated with his anger, but her heart pinched. “Why do you hate me so much?” Jill tilted her head slightly, not looking away. She was a little shocked that she questioned him aloud. It was too late to pull her words back.
Slade’s head snapped back in surprise. “You really think that?”
“Yes, I do,” Jill whispered with a small nod. She kept her eyes on him, wanting to see his reaction. His eyes, which were a dark golden hue, were lined with thick black lashes, and they seemed to look into her soul. He was so handsome, it hurt. Knowing she would never be enough woman for this Warrior made her heart bleed, but she would find her way past it. She didn’t have a choice. Her survival mode needed to kick in and quick, because being rejected would be a mighty blow to her already-damaged heart.
They continued to stare at one another, neither looking away. Even as Slade’s phone began to ring in the holder against his hip, he didn’t move his body or eyes.
After a few more rings, Jill looked away to the phone on his hip. “You going to answer that?”
Reaching down, he plucked the phone from the holder, bringing it to his ear, his eyes still watching her. “Buchanan.” His voice was rough. He finally looked away, grabbing his bag off his desk. “What happened? Okay, text me the directions. I’m on my way.”
Concern had Jill forgetting anything else. “What happened?” She hopped from the table. “Do you need help?”
“No.” He opened the door, but stopped before walking out. With his back to her, he continued, “I don’t hate you, Jillian.” With that, he left quickly, closing the door behind him, and left Jill feeling confused and a little afraid. Being hated was easier than being not wanted.
Chapter 3
The burning in his shoulder had Sid cursing. Growling, he lifted himself off the soft woman beneath him. Rolling her over gently, he pushed her black silky hair from her pale face. Her clear blue eyes stared up at him.
“You okay?” His eyes searched hers when she didn’t answer right away.
“Yes, I think so,” she whispered, her voice shook with nervous energy.
Sid reached down, taking her hand, which; it felt small and soft. He slowly pulled her up, but didn’t let go until he was sure she had her footing. “You sure?”
She nodded, loosening her grip to stand on her own. “Yeah, thanks.”
Sid bowed his head, and when he looked back up, his face was a mask of anger. His eyes left hers as he looked over his shoulder to make sure the bastard was contained. Seeing the odd angle of Vincent’s neck and Damon standing over him had Sid cursing again.
“Really, Damon?” Sid spat. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“His head’s still attached.” Damon glanced down at the dead vampire, not looking one bit sorry.
“Where the hell did the gun come from?” Seeing that there was no threat, Sid turned completely around to walk to where Vincent lay.
“You’ve been shot.” Lana cried out, grabbing his arm and stopping him.
“You worried about me?” A slow, sexy grin made another appearance on his handsome face.
“I may think you’re an asshole, but that doesn’t mean I want to see you hurt or dead,” Lana frowned, lifting her ha
nd off his forearm as if she was burned.
“I’m fine. It wasn’t silver. I will live another day, which probably doesn’t make you very happy.” Sid’s eyes darkened, but the grin stayed firmly in place. She was a hot little number, and any other time he would be taking her further in the woods for some one-on-one time. However, at that moment, he had things to take care of, like one very dead vampire who had answers he needed. “Stay put.”
“I’m not a dog,” Lana spat, her eyes narrowed at his command.
“No, you’re not, but you did blow my cover.” Sid leaned down by her ear. “And that needs to be dealt with. So don’t even think about moving that sweet ass of yours.”
“That’s very unprofessional for a VC Warrior,” Lana lashed out, but looked like she had been taken off her game a little.
Sid leaned away from her with a laugh. “Honey, who told you we were professional?” He gave her a warning stare before walking away.
Jared was leaning over looking at Vincent. “Yeah, he’s really dead this time. His damn head is hanging on by a thread.” He glanced up at Damon. “I really think we need to send you to anger management, big guy.”
“Don’t piss me off, Jared,” Damon growled.
“God forbid.” Jared threw his hands out, his eyes wide.
“Did you get any names or information out of the son of a bitch?” Damon asked Sid who was staring down at Vincent.
“No.” Sid frowned before slamming his hands together. “Shit! I was so close.”
“What the fuck happened?” Sloan came tromping through the woods with Slade behind him. Stopping over the dead vampire, Sloan’s eyes shot to Damon. “Dammit to hell, Damon.”
Damon just stood there taking the heat. “When my brothers are in danger, people die.”
“Please tell me you got some information from him.” Sloan glanced around at all the Warriors, his eyes landing on Sid. “And from the pissed off look on your face, I take that as a no.”
Sid (The Protectors Series) Book #4 Page 2
