Sloan (The Protectors Series) Book #9

by Teresa Gabelman

  “Give it a chance, Sloan.” Jill frowned. “When have I ever let you down?”

  “Well, there was that one time—” Steve put up one finger as if counting.

  “Shut it, lover boy,” Jill snapped.

  “Yeah, about that.” Sloan glared at Steve. “I sent you to Kentucky in replacement of Dillon because—”

  “I begged.” Steve sighed dramatically but then straightened. “I did save Hunter’s lady, though. That should count for something.”

  Sloan had heard all about it, actually about everything, but he had a bad feeling he was about to hear it again Steve style. Jesus, save him. He had sent Steve to Beattyville, Kentucky, to help the Lee County Wolves with their transition. Dillon had been directed to go, but the Warrior chapter Dillon had been working with previously needed him back, so when Steve had begged to go, Sloan gave in and sent him. Sloan had held his breath the whole damn time Steve was there representing him.

  “So, you know I kissed a girl,” Steve said with a shrug and then chuckled. “Hey, that’s a song by Katy Perr—”

  “Steve, focus.” Jared snapped his fingers in front of Steve’s face. “Seriously, you don’t want to fuck this up.” He nodded discreetly at Sloan, who was staring straight at him.

  “Anyway, Leda is old enough and well, they were just like… NO!” Steve shouted the “no” with a frown. “You know?”

  “No, I don’t fucking know.” Sloan’s eyes narrowed. “I do know that I got a call about having one less Warrior returning before I was questioned on how to kill a vampire because said vampire had his tongue down some shifter’s throat who was under Garrett’s care.”

  “Oh, ha, that Garrett is a funny alpha.” Steve shrugged it off with another uncomfortable laugh.

  “Garrett was a pissed alpha,” Jill added from the back of the room. “And if it wasn’t for Hunter, you’d be dead, like in wolf food.”

  “Don’t need your help, Jill,” Steve warned, then grinned at Sloan.

  “Obviously, you do, Steve.” Jill shook her head and then headed toward Becky and Caroline.

  “But he tried to choke me to death, which you obviously can’t do with a vampire.” Steve snorted but cut the snort short seeing Sloan’s glare. “So anyhoo….”

  Jared outright laughed while Damon rolled his eyes. Duncan actually chuckled, and Jax stood and walked toward Caroline, shaking his head.

  “Anyhoo?” Sloan felt the vein along his temple protrude; he seriously felt the fucker pulsing as if it were its own entity. “Did you fucking eat lead chips when you were little?”

  “That’s a big possibility, sir.” Steve nodded, his facial expression indicating he knew he was digging himself into a deep-shit hole here and had no idea how to climb back out. “But I seriously meant no disrespect with Leda, and I did do my job with just a little fun on the side. I mean haven’t you ever, you know, on the side with a nice piece of as—”

  “If you even finish that sentence, I will pull my Carrie shit on you, and you will find yourself out in the parking lot without your feet touching the ground,” Jill warned from the back of the room with a lift of her hand.

  Sloan shook his head, but his eyes once again landed on Becky, who was watching the scene with a half grin. “I have shit to do, so brief me later. I’ve already talked to Garrett so I know everything already.”

  “Ah, okay.” Steve looked disappointed. “I mean, what does that mean?”

  “It means get the fuck out of my office.” Sloan's tone was just below a roar.

  “Who in the hell parked that pussy ass—whatever in the hell it is—in front of the compound?” Sid walked in, his face full of disgust, with Blaze following him. “No, better yet, which one of you guys turned pussy?”

  “I’m afraid to ask.” Sloan sighed for at least the hundredth time since he’d walked out of his small room into madness. “What in the hell are you talking about?”

  “Well, thank God you ask because then obviously it’s not you.” Sid pinched the bridge of his nose. “Because honestly, if you turned pussy and started riding not just a fucking scooter, but a bright pink fucking scooter, I’d have to quit on the spot.”

  Sloan’s eyes roamed the Warriors. Then his eyes fell on Becky, who looked guilty as hell.

  “So who’s the fucking pussy?” Sid demanded. “Hmm? Because you seriously need your ass kicked.”

  “That would be me,” Becky replied, taking a tentative step forward.

  ******

  Well, it wasn’t the most positive way to start her new job. Being called out by one of the Warriors for being a pussy and standing out front with every single one of them, even Sloan, staring at her scooter was not how she’d thought her first day would go.

  “Yeah, this isn’t cool.” Jared shook his head, then looked over his shoulder out onto the street.

  “Hell, no, it’s not cool,” Sid griped with a growl. “We have a reputation to uphold here, and this is not healthy for our badass reputation.”

  “I’ll move it.” Becky had actually grabbed her keys out of her bag as she’d followed everyone outside to stare at her beat-down scooter.

  “You crossed the bridge on that?” Sloan glared down at her, his frown menacing.

  “Yes.” Becky nodded, wondering how else he thought she’d arrived, since to cross a massive river you had to use a bridge. Though, she wasn’t brave enough to be a smartass yet and say that. Instead, she climbed on and then stared up at Sloan, who still frowned at her. “Where do you want me to park it?”

  “At your place,” Sid replied, still looking disgusted. “Seriously, how safe is that thing? I suggest you drive your car from here on out.”

  “Don’t have one,” Becky said, feeling totally outnumbered. Even Jill and Caroline were looking at her scooter oddly.

  “One what?” Sid asked absently as he leaned down, looking at the back tire of her scooter.

  “A car,” Becky replied, then laughed. “Listen, this is so not a big deal. I promise to park it off the property if I have to, but it’s my only means of transportation right now.”

  “It is a big deal because it’s not safe to ride that across the bridge during rush hour.” Sloan’s voice stopped anyone else from saying anything. “And where is your helmet?”

  Dammit, of course her new boss, unless he fired her over the scooter, would notice the lack of helmet. “I kind of forgot it.”

  Sloan took three steps and with surprising gentleness helped her off the bike. “Steve, take it around back and park it.”

  “That’s okay,” Becky said, but let Sloan lead her away from her scooter. “I can do it.”

  “Sweet!” Steve rushed to sit on the scooter, then noticed Sid and the rest staring at him. “Hey, call me a pussy, but I think it’s pretty cool. Can I take it for a spin?”

  Becky wanted to hug Steve. “Sure, but be careful. She’s old.”

  “Don’t worry.” Steve started the scooter with a big grin. “Old ladies like me.”

  “Jesus.” Sid shook his head while chuckles and snorts filled the air.

  “What? They do.” Steve frowned and revved up the struggling engine; it sounded like it was ready to stall any minute. “Hey, Adam, you want to ride?”

  “I’ll pass.” Adam shook his head, a half grin on his face. “You look right at home there, bro.”

  “Why thank you, Adam.” Steve turned and headed out of the parking lot, but made sure to flip them the bird as he left on the bright pink scooter.

  Chapter 3

  Sloan led Becky inside toward his office. When Jill and Caroline tried to follow them, he held up this hand.

  “I got this.” Sloan started to shut the door on their protests.

  “But, I need to show her—” Jill attempted to push it open.

  “Come back at lunch, Jill.” Sloan managed to close the women out. He headed toward his desk, but stopped and locked the door. He knew Jill well and she would find any excuse to come inside. He turned to see Becky staring at him wide-eyed.
“Have a seat.”

  Becky sat in one of the two seats in front of his desk. “Listen, I’m sorry about the scooter. I didn’t know it was going to cause a problem, but it really is my only means of transportation.”

  Sitting behind his desk, Sloan cursed to himself. How in the hell did he find himself in these situations? He didn’t need a secretary, especially one who stirred feelings inside him that hadn’t been stirred in more years than he could count. He didn’t have time for this shit, but when he’d realized she had ridden that damn deathmobile in the dark, during rush hour, and across the river on one of the busiest bridges connecting Kentucky and Cincinnati, every protective instinct inside him demanded he do something about it.

  “This isn’t going to work.” Sloan acted on his protective instinct with his normal bluntness.

  “Excuse me?” Becky’s head snapped back.

  Before Sloan could respond, his phone went off and someone tried to open his door, then began to knock. Holding his finger up, he answered his phone and ignored the pounding on the door.

  “Sloan,” he answered, his voice harsh.

  “You got your pick yet?” Douglas McGeary’s voice boomed in his ear.

  “I haven’t had a chance to look, but it’s the first thing I plan to do this morning.” Sloan rubbed the bridge of his nose. He hated for anyone to rush him for anything.

  “Well, dammit, Murphy!” Douglas shouted, annoyed. “I’ve got leaders up my ass wanting more men and I promised you first pick, so fucking pick already.”

  “I said I will have my choice this afternoon, so shut the fuck up, McGeary.” McGeary was a standup guy, but way too fucking intense for him and that was saying something.

  Becky pointed to the door when Sloan glanced at her, but he shook his head. She just shrugged and sat back letting whoever pound, continue to pound.

  “I need a pick as soon as possible, Sloan.” Douglas calmed down some, but his voice still held an edge to it.

  “Well, if you don’t let me off the fucking phone, how in the hell do you expect me to do anything?” Sloan was getting more and more pissed off, to the point of hanging up on the son of a bitch, but he was doing him a solid giving him first pick.

  “You got the files?” McGeary questioned.

  “Yes, I have the files.”

  Becky pointed to the files piled and scattered beside his desk. Some had actually gone under his desk, because his feet kept sliding on them. He nodded and then watched as she started to bend toward the files. Fuck!

  “I’m hanging up now and will call you this afternoon when I told you I would call you.” Sloan hung up, then snapped his head toward the door. “Go the fuck away or die!”

  That stopped Becky from reaching for the files as well as the pounding on the door. “Can vampires get high blood pressure?” She frowned, looking at him concernedly.

  “No,” Sloan replied, his eyes going back to her.

  “So what files do you need?” She started to bend back toward the files, but he stopped her.

  “Listen, Jill did this whole secretary thing without my consent and….” Sloan had no clue on how to fire someone. Well, he did, but not a beautiful woman. He usually just told whoever he wanted to fire to fuck off and not come back, or literally, he’d kick their ass out.

  “So, you’re going to let me go because of my scooter?” Becky’s head tilted as she stared at Sloan. “Listen, Mr. Murphy—”

  “Sloan.” Nobody called him Mr. Murphy because he’d smack the fuck out of them if they did. Yeah, he was that cranky.

  “Oh, ah, Sloan.” Becky cleared her throat. “I need this job. I promise not to ride my scooter. I had no idea it would be such a big deal. I will take a taxi, get an Uber driver or something.”

  Dammit, if Jill were a man, he’d kick her ass. The knocking started once again and had him wanting to roar. Before he could, Becky stood and held her hand out, stopping Sloan before he could say anything, and then walked to the door.

  Unlocking the door, she opened it a crack and looked out. “He’s closed.” Her voice was strong and sure. “Unless it is an emergency, come back in half an hour.”

  Sloan couldn’t help the grin that lifted his lips. His grin widened when he heard Sid’s voice after she closed the door and headed back to her chair.

  “What in the fuck does she mean, he’s closed.” Despite the soundproofed room—it took more than walls to prevent him from hearing curses and grumbles—Sloan heard Sid. “What is he, a fucking bank? Closed, my ass. What the fuck is this shit? He gets a secretary and now he’s closed.”

  “Give me a chance, please.” Becky had sat back down and was staring at him with the greenest eyes he’d ever seen. They were large with long thick lashes. “At least until I have another job lined up.”

  Sloan sat silent, he even tried to read her, but couldn’t. She was a fast learner and had a block up, at least that’s what he told himself. Before he could say anything, she started again.

  “I’m not like most of those other women who showed up that day for interviews. I don’t want nor do I need a ‘Warrior’.” She did air quotes with her fingers. Then she snorted. “The last thing I need is a man.”

  He held in a chuckle as her eyes widened.

  “No offense,” she quickly added.

  “None taken.” He kept the smile from his face.

  “I truly needed, need a job,” she finished, her voice filled with hope.

  “Do you have other job opportunities?” Sloan asked, leaning back in his chair.

  “I have my resume in so many places I lost count. I’m just trying to get back on my feet,” Becky replied, looking hopeful. “I’m not above begging for this job, Mr.… ah, Sloan. But I am not looking for handouts either. If in a week you don’t like the job I do for you, then fire me, but at least give me a chance. That’s all I ask.”

  And there it was, something he thought he had lost long ago, his fucking heart, and she was tugging the shit out of it. Dammit to hell. When she started to say something else, he threw up his hand and waved it away.

  “Anything you hear in this office is confidential,” Sloan began, but still cursed himself for not just letting her go like he knew he should. When a relieved smile beamed across her face, he knew it was going to be a damn nightmare. “Nothing you hear leaves this office.”

  “Yes, sir.” Becky nodded, but the grin remained.

  He felt something deep inside him stir at the beaming smile across her face. Jesus, he was truly fucked.

  ******

  Sloan’s silent glare quickly wiped the smile from Becky. Damn, she knew it had been a close call and that she’d better be her best if she wanted to keep the job. “Ah, would you like some coffee before I start on those files?”

  “I don’t drink coffee,” Sloan finally said, but his glare remained.

  “Oh, okay. What do you drink?” As soon as the words left her mouth, she wanted to pull them back and smack herself. He was a damn vampire. What in the hell did she think he drank? Instead of smacking herself, her hand automatically went to her throat.

  His eyes followed the movement of her hand and she swore she heard him curse, but his lips didn’t move though his eyes narrowed. Realizing what she’d done, Becky snapped her hand back to her side. Damn, she was an idiot.

  “I don’t expect that from you. I can get my own shit.” His voice was gruff. “All I need you to do is find three files from this mess and then if you can file them away in alphabetical order, that will be a good start.”

  Becky glanced at the scattered mess next to his desk. “What files do you need?”

  Sloan grabbed a pen and piece of paper, wrote down names, then handed them to her. “When you get those files just put them on my desk.”

  “Will do.” Becky kneeled down, picked up a handful of files and took them to her small desk. “Which file cabinet do you want them in?” She hated to keep asking questions, but she didn’t want to file them incorrectly.

  “The one on the e
nd is empty,” Sloan replied without looking at her as he went to unlock his door.

  Becky turned to get more, but Sloan was directly behind her with the rest of the files. She stepped out of his way quickly so he could place them on the floor next to her desk.

  “Thank you.” She smiled, but with his gaze averted, he only nodded before returning to his desk. Her eyes roamed his broad back, down to his tight ass before shooting away. “No men, no men, no men…,” she chanted quietly to herself.

  Chapter 4

  Blaze stood back, watching the warrior trainees work on their ground fighting skills. His eyes kept going to Katrina. She was small and most of the guys there, wanting to prove their macho bullshit, just tossed her around like she was nothing. It was really starting to piss him off.

  “What’s got your eyes swirling?” Jared asked as he came to stand next to Blaze.

  “They don’t even give her a chance.” Blaze nodded toward Katrina, ignoring the swirling eyes comment.

  “Yeah, she’s struggling.” Jared frowned, his eyes narrowing when the guy she was working with bent her arm back at an odd angle, not even doing the move right. “You want to take care of that or should I?”

  Blaze didn’t answer when Katrina cried out. He marched over, pulling the dumbass up by the neck. “What the fuck are you trying to do, break her arm?”

  “I’m fine.” Katrina’s voice matched her size. She was quietly spoken, but he had seen a spark in her.

  Blaze ignored her, still glaring at the guy who stared wide-eyed at him. “I didn’t mean to hurt her.”

  “You didn’t.” Katrina shook her head, but Blaze knew she was lying. “Come on, let’s do it again.”

  Blaze let the guy go, his eyes going to Katrina. Instead of beating the shit out of the guy like he wanted to, he kicked off his boots. “Lie on your back,” he instructed, which she did quickly. “Mount her. What’s your name again?”

  “John,” the guy replied, his voice a little shaky.

  Once John straddled Katrina, Blaze knelt. “I want you to do the arm bar again, but slowly. Get the move down before you try to speed it up. Katrina, I want you to start punching toward his face.”