Sloan (The Protectors Series) Book #9

by Teresa Gabelman

  Katrina did her best not to smile at Ben’s unpleasant situation. Actually, she was plain enjoying watching him on his knees with his eyes squeezed tightly in pain.

  “Stand up,” Blaze ordered. Ben followed every order until he was released. “Anyone, any size, can use pressure points to get the results you want.” Blaze looked at her for a split second.

  Watching as Blaze and Jax demonstrated some of the pressure points, Katrina tried not to smile or show her excitement. Finally, it was something she might be able to do well. After the demonstration, everyone paired off with their partners.

  After about a half an hour of working, Katrina felt confident she had it. She even had John on the ground with his arms spread apart with just two of her fingers. It was awesome and she couldn’t stop smiling.

  “You’re pretty damn good at this.” John laughed, rubbing his shoulder. “That shit hurts.”

  “You want to go again or do you think you have it?” Katrina even sounded more confident. Yeah, it was a good day.

  “Guess she would be good at it. I’m sure she’s been getting private lessons.” Ben snickered, but his glare was evil and directed at her.

  “Ignore him,” John said, wiping sweat from his face. “I’m good with the pressure points if you are.”

  “What did he mean, private lessons?” Katrina frowned, looking up at John. “I’m not getting private lessons.”

  John sighed. “It’s just a bunch of the guys are talking about how you are staying at the VC compound while the rest of us have to find our own lodgings.” John shrugged. “It’s just talk, Katrina. I know you’re not doing anything with the Warriors to get special treatment.”

  Katrina gasped in shock, her head snapping back. “That’s what they’re saying?”

  “That’s exactly what we’re saying,” Ben butted in. A grin curved his lips. “And while we’re at it, how many of the Warriors did you have to do for your new clothes? And I bet you had to use that mouth some for the new hair.”

  To say she was shocked was an understatement. Her eyes roamed every trainee in the room. They all stared at her. She had been judged and found guilty of everything Ben had been saying about her, apparently. Anger, so deep, filled her to the point she was a little scared because she started to shake. She always kept her cool and was rarely angry. Even when she should get angry, she’d always take a deep breath and walk on.

  In three strides she was in front of Ben, her breathing harsh. Staring into his condescending eyes, she let go and kicked him right between the legs with her shin. Once he hit the ground, she leaned down into his face while he held his balls.

  “When pressure points just won’t do,” Katrina spat with a hiss. “Asshole.”

  When she stood straight up, everyone was looking at her, even Jax and Blaze. Not wanting to answer questions, she turned, walked off the floor, grabbed her bag, and headed out of the warehouse.

  Katrina ran all the way back to the compound and headed straight to the kitchen, hoping to find Caroline. She needed answers. The kitchen was empty so she grabbed her phone supplied to her by the Warriors. Finding Caroline’s number, she hit Call and put the phone to her ear.

  “Hello,” Caroline answered on the third ring.

  “Hi, it’s Katrina.” Katrina had been wondering if any of the other trainees received a phone also. “Did all the trainees get money for clothes?”

  The line was silent, effectively answering her question.

  “Katrina, Blaze was only trying to help—” Caroline started, but Katrina cut her short and hung up. She was totally mortified. All the trainees thought she was whoring her way through the program. How could she face any of them again?

  Running to her room, she slammed the door shut. Quickly taking off her new workout clothes, she tossed the phone on the bed. In record time she was dressed in her old jeans and a T-shirt. Folding the new clothes, she placed them on the bed. Grabbing a plastic bag, she tossed the rest of her stuff in, leaving everything else behind. With one look around, she closed the door behind her and headed for the back entrance of the compound.

  The closer she got to her destination, the more she felt she was going to lose it. Her chin trembled, but she controlled it. Suddenly the skies opened up and rain poured, drenching her, yet she kept going. She didn’t even try to find shelter. What did it matter, anyway? She was back to where she had been before meeting Jill. She should have known it was too good to be true, that it wouldn’t last. It never did, not for her.

  Seeing her destination, she looked both ways then crossed the street. It was getting late so she knew the store was closed. Crossing the parking lot, she felt the hot boil of nausea hit her. Turning the corner to the back of the Dollar Store, she was relieved that she was alone and let a tear escape.

  Instead of finding somewhere to get out of the rain, Katrina tossed her bag down, leaned against the wall, and slid down. She stared out into nothing, numb to everything. Her blood tears were washed away by the cold rain. Hearing a noise to her right made her smile sadly.

  “I’m back, Buck.” Rolling her head, she stared at the huge ten-point buck that had come out of the woods behind the store. He gave a low snort, coming closer. “I missed you also, my friend.”

  As the tears continued to fall, the buck lowered himself in front of her, his legs folding underneath him. Soon other creatures came out of the woods to give comfort to Katrina, and she accepted them with open arms.

  ******

  Blaze watched Katrina walk out of the warehouse. He gave a nod to John, who was grinning at a moaning Ben who still held his balls.

  “What was that about?” Blaze nodded toward Ben. Jax had walked up also.

  John looked a little uncomfortable as he glanced at the other trainees, who were watching.

  “If you don’t tell me, then I will beat the hell out of every motherfucker in this room until I get the answer,” Blaze warned, eyeing each trainee before looking back at John. “So either tell me now and save your fellow trainees from an ass kicking, or be the most hated asshole in here by keeping quiet. Which is it going to be?”

  John gulped. “Not much of a choice.”

  Blaze growled, grabbing the closest trainee to him, pulling his fist back.

  “Okay. Okay!” John put his hands up. “There’s been talk. They think Katrina has been getting special attention because she’s been—”

  “Been what?” Blaze growled, his anger barely in check.

  “You know.” John looked away from Blaze, clearly uncomfortable to even speaking the words. “Putting out for the Warriors.”

  Blaze looked down at Ben, who stared up at him. Walking over, he picked him up by the hair. “Is he the one spreading this shit?”

  No one said a word, but Blaze knew. “I’m going to say this one time: if I hear another word against Katrina, who is one of you, I will make damn sure you never get Warrior status through here or anywhere else.”

  “Yes, sir,” they all replied, except for Ben who looked too scared to say anything as he stared into Blaze’s odd eyes.

  “As for you.” Blaze let go of his hair and punched him in the face. “That’s what assholes get for talking about a woman like that. Warriors respect women, especially a teammate.”

  Ben wiped his mouth, but nodded. “I’m s-sorry,” he stuttered.

  “Not good enough.” Blaze hissed as he passed him. “Not even close.”

  “Go ahead.” Jax nodded at Blaze. “I got it from here.”

  Blaze had to make himself walk out of the warehouse before he set the whole fucking place on fire. His anger was intense, swirling around him, threatening to spiral and release. It had only been this bad once before, and that had been tragic. Focusing on the present, he climbed on his bike and headed to the compound. During the short ride, he knew he wasn’t going to find Katrina.

  Once there, he went inside and headed straight for her room. Knocking twice, he tried the knob. The door opened. He walked in and in one sweep, he knew he had be
en right. She was gone and the cell phone she had been given lay on the bed.

  Heading to the Intel room, he went to the monitors. Sitting down, he played the cameras back. He stopped the rewind when he saw Katrina rushing into the compound. Blaze glanced at the time on the tape and then his watch, marking the time. Again he played them back and found the one of her leaving. Once again he marked the time. Pausing, he noted that she was carrying a yellow bag and he knew it held her belongings. She had packed up and left. Glancing at the time, he figured she’d been gone a little over a half an hour.

  “Fuck!” He slammed his hand on the table, then stood and headed out the door. He should have paid more attention to what was going on with the trainees. They were all his responsibility. He would be doing the same thing for any of the other trainees. That was what he told himself, anyway, but he knew it was a lie. Climbing on his motorcycle, Blaze took off, rain pounding him as he went in search.

  Chapter 10

  Becky sat at her desk with Sloan leaning over her. Dammit, she had to focus. Why did he have to smell so good? Her eyes left the computer screen to lock on his large masculine hand moving her mouse around.

  “This program is pretty easy to understand.” His voice boomed next to her ear, making her jump. Her eyes returned to the screen so fast it made her dizzy.

  Easy, she thought, if I paid attention. She snorted to herself, wondering what happened to her big plan of no men. She could see his reflection in the screen and saw he was staring at her.

  “You think you got it?” he asked, letting go of the mouse and standing straight.

  “I think so.” She nodded, not sure if she were being truthful.

  “Go ahead and do Adam’s,” Sloan instructed as he stepped back to watch. “He’s less likely to kill you if his paycheck is wrong.”

  “What?” Becky spun in her chair to look up at him with wide eyes.

  “The guys get pretty cranky when their paychecks are wrong.” Sloan cocked his eyebrow. “Jill’s the worst, actually.”

  “You’re kidding, right?” Becky was freaking out now. Shit, she should have paid more attention to the program than his damn hand on her mouse. Okay, that sounded a little dirty.

  “I’d protect you the first couple of times, but after that, you’d be on your own.” Sloan’s voice was even, his face serious… until he winked at her.

  Okay, her no-man thing just went out of the window. With just a wink her insides felt on fire as they dipped, flipped, and did all sorts of shit. She was ready to melt off her roller chair into messy goo at his feet. How in the hell was she supposed to keep her sanity with winking going on? No man ever in her life had her questioning her own sanity with just a wink.

  “Becky.” Sloan’s voice broke into her crazy thoughts.

  “Yeah?” she responded, then jumped. “Yeah! Okay, Adam.”

  Turning toward the screen, knowing her face was blotched red with embarrassment, she grabbed the mouse, still warm from his touch, and sighed. Holy shit, get a grip! she screamed to herself. Ready to go, her mind went completely blank and the program on the screen looked completely foreign to her.

  After a few minutes of her staring at the screen like a complete idiot, Sloan leaned down, putting one hand on the back of her chair as the other one pointed.

  “Find Adam’s name in this row and click.” Sloan’s voice was so masculine it sent shivers down her spine.

  “Stop it,” she whispered to herself.

  “What?” Sloan glanced at her, their faces close.

  “Ah…” was all she could think to say, then snapped her head back to the computer and clicked Adam’s name. Thank God, it was coming back to her. For a minute, she thought her brain had gone to shit. Going through the motions with Sloan watching and smelling so damn good, she reached the last step. Becky glanced up at him. “Hit Submit?”

  He looked down at her. “Looks good.” He nodded, his eyes then focusing on the screen.

  “You sure?” Becky hesitated. “I’d really hate to mess up his pay, even though he’s less likely to kill me than the other ones.”

  Sloan chuckled. “It’s fine, go ahead.”

  Becky held her breath and hit Submit. She did a few more with Sloan standing over her. While she was glad he was watching, she also wished he would just go. His closeness was driving her insane and making her a nervous wreck. And she was seriously considering jumping on him. Oh yes she was, and that was not good. Suddenly the screen flashed.

  “Uh-oh, what did I do?” Becky frowned, searching the screen frantically.

  “Here.” Sloan grabbed her hand with the mouse and moved it, then used his finger to pressure hers to click. With no warning whatsoever, the scene from Ghost popped into her thoughts, the Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore pottery wheel scene. Oh my God, she was going to lose her shit. No, she’d already lost it.

  Thank God the door opened. Sloan released her hand and turned as she sat with her eyes squeezed tightly shut, cursing at herself to stop picturing him sitting behind her playing with her mouse. With that thought a snicker escaped her mouth. It wasn’t funny, but dammit, it was. She was so screwed, and that truly wasn’t funny.

  ******

  Sloan turned to see Sid walk in with Jared and Jax following. Hearing Becky snicker, he looked back down at her, but she seemed to be focused on the computer.

  “You think you got it?” he asked, his gaze going to her hand, which had felt so soft and small under his.

  “I’m good,” she replied without looking up at him.

  “What are you two up to?” Sid moseyed back, looking at the computer. “Hey, don’t forget about that raise. Just add a few thousand to mine monthly, Becky babe.”

  “The only raise you’re going to get is my foot up your ass.” Sloan nudged him away from Becky.

  “Just make sure you don’t mess mine up,” Jared warned, peeking over her shoulder.

  “Then don’t make me mad,” Becky teased, but didn’t look away from the screen. “I have passwords now and know how to use them.”

  Sloan grinned at her comeback, then looked at the Warriors, who were staring at him. He replaced the grin with a scowl in record time. “What the fuck do you want?”

  “So, how’s the new secretary working out?” Sid wiggled his eyebrows while Jax and Jared chuckled.

  Ignoring Sid, Sloan walked to his desk and sat down, looking at Jax. “What’s the progress on the trainees?”

  Jax frowned. “We have one missing in action.”

  “What?” Sloan had picked up his phone to check messages, but turned to look back at Jax.

  “Katrina took off during training last night.” Jax frowned, anger radiating from him. “It seems the other trainees think she’s whoring herself to the Warriors for special treatment.”

  “Oh, my God. Those assholes,” Becky blurted, looking up from the computer. Her eyes widened. “Sorry.” She cringed, then went back to work.

  “Actually, my thought exactly,” Jax grumbled. “Blaze has been looking for her all night with no luck.”

  “Did you call in Adam?” Sloan knew by the looks on their faces they hadn’t.

  “And that’s why he’s the boss man.” Sid thumbed toward Sloan.

  “Son of a bitch.” Jax pulled out his phone, but when Blaze walked through the door, he put it away. “Any luck?”

  “No, nothing.” Blaze growled, his hands fisting at his sides.

  “Call Adam and see if he can get a read on her,” Jax told Blaze.

  “He’s on his way in now.” Sloan put down his phone.

  “Is there anything you can’t do?” Sid looked at Sloan as if in awe. “Did you know, Becky babe, your boss is awesomesauce.”

  “What are you, an eight-year-old girl?” Becky snorted, shaking her head, still looking at her screen. “And my last name isn’t babe, it’s Spencer. Call me Becky babe one more time and I’m filing sexual harassment charges.”

  Sid frowned and looked at Sloan. “Can she do that?”

&nbs
p; Sloan nodded, his eyebrow cocked. “Yes, she can.” He looked back at Becky, who was grinning behind her computer screen. He could tell because her eyes were crinkled at the corners. Yeah, she could handle these assholes pretty well. He was actually impressed.

  “Well played, Becky Spencer.” Jared smiled with an approving nod. “Well played.

  “Thank you.” Becky beamed, then laughed when Sid turned his frown toward her.

  “What’s up?” Adam walked in, looking at everyone.

  “Katrina took off last night,” Sloan answered before anyone else could. “Can you get a read on where she might be?”

  “I’m sure I can.” Adam frowned. “Why? What happened?”

  “The other trainees think she’s whoring herself out to the Warriors for special treatment,” Jax answered, his eyes going to Blaze, who growled.

  “Who the fuck’s saying that?” Adam’s voice rose. “Katrina is the sweetest person. She would never do something like that. I’ll fucking kick someone’s ass. Who the fuck said it?”

  “Slow down, killer.” Jax stood. “We’re taking care of it, but we need to know where she is.”

  Adam walked away as everyone became quiet, watching him.

  “She’s at a Dollar General,” Adam replied. “Not sure which one, but there is one about five minutes from here on Taft.”

  “Thanks, man.” Blaze was already heading for the door.

  “Are you going to force her back?” Becky still sat working, but was frowning at Blaze. “Because honestly, if it was me in her situation, I wouldn’t want to come back under these circumstances.”

  “She’s coming back.” Blaze once again headed toward the door, but stopped and turned. “How would you handle it?”

  Sloan sat back, arms crossed, and when Becky glanced his way, he gave her a nod to continue. Maybe Jill had been onto something with this secretary shit.