A Warrior Wedding (The Protectors #7)(17)

Jax shook his head as he stared at her. “Are you staying here?”

Caroline’s attention went from Gary, who was climbing the ladder, to Jax. “Yes, it’s my home.” She gave him a ‘duh’ look like she had seen so many of her kids give, then looked back at Gary who was walking on the roof. “Please be careful.”

Gary tossed her a grin. “Don’t worry. I’ve done this a million times.”

“Bet he goes through.” Hunter stood watching with what looked like a hopeful expression.

“What a mean thing to say,” Caroline scolded.

“Oh, don’t worry.” Hunter grinned. “Jax will jump to his rescue.”

“That I wouldn’t bet on.” Blaze chuckled, glancing at Jax.

“It’s not safe for you to stay here.” Jax ignored Hunter and Blaze.

Caroline ignored Jax other than rolling her eyes. As Gary climbed down the ladder, Caroline headed toward him. “So, how much is this going to hurt?” Caroline bit her lip glancing at his notebook that he had been writing in.

His eyes went straight to her lips before clearing his throat. “I need to get a quote written up before I give you an estimate. It’s going to be costly. But I’ll make sure we can work something out.” He gave her a warm smile.

Jax’s growl gained Gary and Caroline’s attention. “She just needs an estimate for a roof and nothing more.”

Caroline glared at Jax before turning back to Gary. “How long will that take?”

Gary was eyeing Jax cautiously before he answered. “I can have an estimate worked up by tomorrow afternoon.” He looked behind him at the house. “Are you staying here?”

“Yes,” Caroline answered without hesitation.

“Not alone,” Jax added and before Caroline could say a word, he added, “We’ll be waiting for the estimate.”

Gary nodded. “Oh, okay.” He stuck out his hand. “It was nice meeting you, Ms. Fitzpatrick.”

“Thank you for coming out.” Caroline shook his hand knowing her face was flaming red as she watched Gary glance at Jax before heading quickly to his truck.

“Who in the hell do you think you are?” Caroline all but shrieked as she smacked Jax on the arm.

“We’ll go look for a tarp for the roof.” Blaze grabbed Hunter, who was watching with a huge grin.

“Awe, just when it’s getting good,” Hunter moaned, but followed Blaze.

“Telling a man you don’t know that you are staying here alone is not a smart move,” Jax replied, his frown still firmly in place.

“He’s a contactor.” Caroline sighed, really not understanding the mixed signals Jax was sending her. “And I have a gun.”

“He’s a man,” Jax replied as he walked past her. “And good.”

Caroline turned to watch as Jax jumped up on the roof to help put the tarp Blaze and Hunter found to cover the hole. Watching them work Caroline was more confused than ever and wished he was still standing in front of her so she could smack him again.

CHAPTER 8

Sloan slammed his phone down, picked it back up and slammed it again. “Stupid bastards.” He hissed, rubbing his face. He was tired, so tired of everything. He once loved his position, but lately, he just wanted to walk. Being one of the few leaders who was against coming out to the human race, that phone call just proved why he had strongly felt that way. The fear and prejudice of most, especially the ones in power positions, pissed him off to the point if rogue vampires invaded their closed-minded space, he would look the other way. “Fuck!”

Picking up his phone again, he stared at it, feeling as if the walls were closing in on him. This news deserved to be told face-to-face instead of a text or a phone call. Standing, he stretched his tense muscles before heading out of his office. He stopped, looked around and stalled. He knew what this was going to lead to. Laughter came from the kitchen as he passed, but he didn’t slow down. Silently, Sloan wondered when the last time was that he really laughed.

A grim frown slipped across his lips. He didn’t have time to laugh. Hell, he didn’t have time for anything, let alone laughing or enjoying even a second of anything.

“Jesus, I’m finally losing my f*cking mind.” Sloan shook his head in disgust. Knocking once on Slade’s office door, he walked in.

Slade looked up from his desk. “Fuck!” Slade snarled, seeing Sloan’s grim face.

“Yeah, f*ck.” Sloan closed the door behind him. “Just got off the phone with Dan Bentley, who is a spineless piece-of-shit and unfortunately, our representative with the human government.”

“He human?” Slade asked, tossing his pen on the desk, rubbing his hand through his hair.

Sloan nodded. “It seems that there’s an onslaught of requests coming in to change half-breeds.” To follow was the information he dreaded. “All requests are being denied. The human government is afraid of vampires outnumbering humans.”

“So they’re playing God and deciding who lives and who doesn’t.” The truth of the statement sat heavily in the room. Palpable fury radiated off Slade. “I don’t give a f*ck what they deny. If it is a choice between her living or dying, I will change her and they can stick their denial up their asses.”

“I figured you’d feel that way.” Sloan sighed, not blaming Slade. “I’m sure Duncan will do the same thing, but know the risk you are taking.”