A Warrior Wedding (The Protectors #7)(34)

“Jesus,” he cursed, shaking his head, his eyes still on her as she talked to the roof guy. “I’m truly f*cked.”

When he heard the roofer guy, Gary, pressure Caroline to let him into the house to go over the estimate, he knew it was time to let the * know where he stood.

Stepping up behind Caroline, Jax had perverse pleasure of seeing the fear in the man’s eyes. Reaching around Caroline, he grabbed the estimate and scanned it.

“Nine thousand seems pretty high.” Jax frowned at the man, daring him with his eyes and attitude to try and screw Caroline over.

“Ah, well, actually...it’s not.” Gary cleared his throat. “The whole roof needs to be replaced and that estimate includes material plus labor.”

“I’m sorry.” Caroline shook her head. “I can’t afford that.”

Gary’s whole demeanor changed. “Well, Ms. Fitzpatrick, we’re very competitive with neighboring companies. You’re not going to find a better deal than this.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that I can’t afford it.” Caroline frowned as she walked out into the yard and looked up at her roof. “Are you absolutely sure the whole thing needs to be replaced? I mean I know the shingles do, but the wood? There isn’t any that can be saved?”

Jax knew the answer to that, but waited to see if this guy was brave enough to take advantage. He knew how these *s worked. He would get the job, she would sign a contact, and then once he started, he would then falsely regret to inform her that more work equaling more money would have to be done. Crossing his arms over his chest, Jax waited for Gary’s answer.

Glancing at Jax, Gary hurried off the porch and started pointing out things which Jax had to give him credit were true.

“I’m sorry I’ve wasted your time, Gary.” Caroline frowned with a sigh. “I’m going to have to go a different avenue on the roof for now.”

Disappointed, Gary nodded. “I understand, but please keep my information and if you change your mind, give me a call.” Gary once again glanced up to Jax, then back to Caroline. “Is that your husband?”

Caroline was still looking at the roof when Gary quietly asked her that question. “No.” She frowned at him.

“Oh.” Gary nodded. “Your boyfriend?”

“Gary,” Jax called from the porch where he was watching and listening to every word.

Gary jumped as if guilty. “Yeah.” He cautiously approached Jax.

Jax grabbed his shoulder with one hand and squeezed enough to send a message as he leaned close to his ear. “Not going to happen.” Jax growled and could have sworn he heard the man gulp in fear.

Jax shoved the estimate into Gary’s stomach, turned him around using his one hand on his shoulder and sent him on his way. Gary hurried to his truck without even looking at Caroline, who was still staring at her roof in despair.

It had been a long time, but it looked like Jax was going to be doing some roofing. Yeah, he was truly f*cked.

CHAPTER 15

Jill shoved two crackers in her mouth and wanted to gag. She had begun hating crackers with a passion because that was all she could eat, but it was keeping her going...kinda.

“Hey!” she yelled at Steve who was coming out of Adam’s room.

Steve jumped, then turned toward her like she was a monster. “What?”

Slowing her steps, she watched Steve and knew something was up. It had been two days since Pam had pulled through, and although she found Steve to tell him the good news, she hadn’t seen Adam and she really needed to talk to both him and Steve.

“Is Adam in there?” Jill went to open Adam’s door, but Steve jumped in front of it, stopping her.

“He’s not there.” Steve’s voice was a little high-pitched.

“Okay, then why were you in there?” Jill interrogated Steve, the big liar.

Steve grinned, started to say something, then frowned and grinned again. “I had to get something.”

“What?” Jill cocked an eyebrow, looking at his empty hands.

“I, ah, couldn’t find it.” Steve, the worst liar in the world, lied.

“Cut the bullshit, Steve.” Jill went to open the door, but Steve knocked her arm away.

“Angelina is naked!” Steve shouted then cringed.

Okay, that made Jill back up a step or two. “Why are you coming out of Adam’s room, when he isn’t there, and Angelina is naked?”

Steve pursed his lips together, pointed his finger at her, and rolled his eyes to the ceiling trying his best to talk his way out of this one.

“Listen, Steve,”—Jill pushed him out of the way—“your lying is going to get you killed one day because you absolutely suck at it.”

Looking over her shoulder talking to Steve about his lying, Jill opened the door to Adam’s room and walked inside. When she turned around and saw Angelina holding Adam up as she was leading him to the bed, her heart sank. “Oh, Adam.” Jill ran over to help Angelina. “No!”

“I’m okay,” Adam replied, but didn’t refuse their help. Once at the bed, he collapsed, throwing his hand over his eyes. “God, I hate throwing up.”

“Steve, get Slade,” Jill ordered, watching the worry flash across Angelina’s face.

“I’m fine. Just give me a minute.” Adam swallowed hard before peeking up at Jill then to Steve. “And dammit, Steve, I told you not to tell her.”