A Warrior Wedding (The Protectors #7)(16)

“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 *s? 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.