Taking a second, Lana seemed to pull herself together. She looked around at each Warrior, then to Amy, then finally back to Sid.
“There were so many women in cages.” Lana’s lip quivered at the memory. She had seen some bad stuff in her life, but never anything like what she just witnessed. Before she could continue, she was pulled behind Sid, the sound of guns cocking.
“You stupid son of a bitch!” Sid shouted, putting his gun back under his jacket. “You are not supposed to be here, Adam.”
Adam ignored him as he went behind Sid, getting in Lana’s face. “Did you see a blonde girl my age?”
Lana shook her head. “I don’t know. There were so many.”
“How long have you been here?” Sid frowned, realizing that none of them had picked up that Adam was around.
“I followed Sloan.” His eyes never left Lana.
“What are you doing here, Adam? You were ordered to stay away from this mission.” Sloan stepped up, grabbing his arm, but Adam pulled away ignoring him.
“Her name is Angelina,” Adam continued desperately, his focus never leaving Lana even with Warriors bearing down on him. “Her hair is pale-blonde to her waist. She has light sky-blue eyes.”
“I’m sorry.” Lana shook her head. “I don’t remember seeing anyone like that, but I wasn’t trying to find anyone, so I didn’t pay attention.”
“What kind of cages were they in?” Adam hissed with barely-controlled anger. “Were they being taken care of?”
Lana didn’t answer. If he had lost a loved one to these people, it wouldn’t be her telling him what she was going through.
“Answer me!” he shouted in her face.
Sid grabbed Adam by the neck, tossing him away from Lana. “That’s enough!” He put himself between Adam and Lana.
Adam rolled to his feet and rushed Sid, but was stopped when Sloan grabbed him. “You best stand down, son,” Sloan ordered, his voice full of authority. “You are already on report. Don’t make me cut you from the program or let Sid teach you a lesson you won’t soon forget.”
Every Warrior present was ready as they watched Adam struggle. Sid was pumped and ready. If Adam made one move toward Lana, he was going to be very sorry. He understood, but the young half-breed needed to learn control, and so far, that had been a big failure since Angelina had been sold.
“Okay,” Adam replied. After visibly fighting his anger, he calmed down. When Sloan was slow to let go, Adam jerked away. “I said okay.”
Sid took a step closer in warning. “You make one more move toward her or raise your voice again, you will regret it. Now, get the fuck out of here.”
Adam nodded, looking around before his eyes landed on Lana. “I’m sorry,” he sighed as if the weight of the world was on his young shoulders. “I just have to find her.”
“She was taken by these people?” Lana asked, her voice a little clearer, but still hoarse.
Adam waited a second before answering. “She was sold.” His eyes pleaded with her. “I have to find her.”
Sid watched different emotions flit across her already-burdened features. When her eyes went to Vincent, he started shaking his head.
“Maybe if I try one more time, I could see if I find her, but I don’t know the location even if I did.” Lana put her hand to her throat, clearly indicating touching Vincent again was the last thing she wanted to do.
Sid’s respect for the woman tripled at that moment, but there was no way in hell he would put her at risk like that again. “Not happening. Take him back.” Sid took Adam by the arm, handing him off to Jared. When Adam glared at him, Sid nodded. “As soon as we’re finished here, I’ll come straight to you with any information. We’re going to find her, Adam.” Sid remembered saying those same words to Duncan not long ago when they were looking for Pam. Sighing, he watched Jared lead Adam away with the rest of the warriors following, other than Sloan.
“Lana, you’re bleeding.” Amy broke the silence.
Sid turned to see blood trickling from her nose, the sweet scent burning its way into his senses. “Are you okay?” His voice took on a harsh, raspy tone; his eyes darkened.
Reaching up, Lana touched her nose, feeling wetness. Bringing her fingers away, bright blood colored the tips. “I’m fine.” Lana didn’t make eye contact as she took a Kleenex from Amy. “But I have to find my cross.” Her grandmother had given her that cross, and she wasn’t leaving without it.
Sid looked around, spotting a golden chain by Vincent’s hand. Walking over, he reached down, snatching it up. The chain was broken as if it had been ripped off her neck.
Lana rushed up beside him. “Did you find it?”
Glancing down at her, he reached around, lifting the hair off her neck. He could see the marking where the chain had bit into her skin. “How did this get broken?”
“I don’t know.” Lana grabbed for the cross, but he held it back out of her reach.
He reached out, touching her neck. “I don’t know much about what you do, but I have a feeling this isn’t normal.” His fingers caressed the darkening marks on her neck, making her shiver.
“It’s not normal.” Amy, who had walked closer, frowned at Lana. “Her sister—”
“Amy.” Lana glared at her shaking her head.
Sid’s eyes narrowed at Amy. “Her sister what?”
“Is no one’s concern.” She grabbed the cross out of his hand, holding it in a tight fist. “Now, do you want to know what I saw or not?”
Sid’s eyes shot from Amy to Lana. “Yes, I do.” He removed his hand from her neck. “I also want to know how those bruises appeared on your throat out of nowhere.”
Amy opened her mouth to say something, but Lana took a step, landing on her friend’s foot. Amy let out a squeal instead of what she was about to blurt out.
“Damn, Lana, that hurt.” Amy leaned against the nearest tree, rubbing her injured foot.
“I’m sorry, Amy.” Her voice sounded remorseful, but her eyes shot her a warning. She turned back to Sid. “To answer your question, I bruise like a peach. I probably grabbed my own throat while I was seeing things that were horrifying and choked myself.”
“No, you didn’t.” Sid shook his head, his eyes watching her every move. “Why are you lying?”
“Listen, I’m cold.” Lana changed the subject rubbing her arms. “And there is no way I’m putting my jacket back on after it was laying over him. So can we get this show on the road?”
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 held 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 ease 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. Bringing 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 too,” 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 room. 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.”
Sid (The Protectors Series) Book #4 Page 4
