A Warrior Wedding (The Protectors #7)(52)

“I love you more,” she whispered before closing her eyes. It was time to put her next plan into motion.

CHAPTER 22

“I can’t believe Duncan turned himself in,” Steve grumbled from the driver’s seat. “And Sloan let him. Hell, Sloan took him.”

Jill sat in the passenger seat feeling numb at the news when she and Slade had returned to the compound. Slade had known it was going to happen and purposely kept it from her, but then again, what could she have done? Nothing, that was what. Absolutely nothing.

But that was about to change. She understood that the Warriors’ hands were tied, but she was a new Warrior and not high up. She was going to do this and no one, other than herself, could get in trouble. She ensured that no one else knew, except for Steve, but Steve was just her driver.

“They have a different sense of duty than we do, Steve,” Jill replied, sitting up straighter as they hit downtown Cincinnati.

“Yeah, well, I would never turn you or Adam in, that’s for damn sure.” Steve clicked on his blinker. “Even though every Warrior in there scares the shit out of me, I wouldn’t turn you in.”

“A lot of things scare the shit out of you, Steve,” Jill mumbled, trying to read street signs.

“Keeps my bowels in tip-top shape,” Steve replied, so serious that Jill’s head snapped toward him. “Well, it does.”

She didn’t know how in the hell he did it, but in any dire situation, Steve could say something so off the wall that she couldn’t help but laugh and laugh she did, so much so she started to dry heave. “Shit, Steve, you’re going to kill me.”

“I do what I can, babe... I do what I can.” Steve got into the furthest left lane turning on his hazards. “I think that’s it.”

“I don’t know.” Jill moved closer to the windshield to see. “Are you sure?”

The van in front of them moved and what it revealed made both Steve and Jill glance at each other. News trucks and reporters lined the street. Jill looked up at the building they were in front of. In big elaborate lettering, it said City Hall.

“Holy shit on a stick.” Steve had parked on the street in a spot someone had just pulled out of.

“I can’t do this.” Jill’s insides literally shook as she watched all the reporters standing around. “What in the hell did you tell them?”

“You told me to get the media here and that’s what I did. I told them there was a government cover-up that was going to be exposed.” Steve grinned, proud of his achievement.

“Seriously, I don’t think I can do this.” Jill hated to admit that, but it was true.

“Yes, you can.” Steve slammed his hand on the dashboard. “You are woman. Let them hear you roar.”

“I so want to kill you right now.” Jill sneered at him. “I hate that f*cking song.”

“What in the hell are you waiting for?” Hunter slammed his hands on the top of the car while sticking his face through the open window.

Jill jumped, screaming. “What are you doing here?” When she saw Adam standing behind Hunter, Jill cursed. “Dammit, Steve.”

“I’m sorry, but I felt we needed some backup.” Steve gave his empty apology. He didn’t look apologetic in the least. “I tried to get her pumped up with that ‘I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar’ song, but she’s just not feeling it.”

Struggling with the door, she pushed her way out before she actually killed Steve. Standing, she swayed, but Hunter steadied her.

“Let’s just calm down.” Hunter forced her to look at him with a light shake. “Jill, this was your plan. Do you believe in what you set out to do here?”

“Of course I do.” Jill nodded, making her dizzy so she stopped.

“Then let’s go do it.” Hunter gave her a wink. “We’re behind you. You won’t be alone.”

Jill took a deep breath. “If he sings that f*cking song one more time.” Jill knew she was stalling, but she couldn’t help it.

“I’ll kill him myself,” Hunter assured her without cracking a grin.

“Okay.” Jill almost nodded, but stopped. “Okay! Let’s do this.”

Steve, Hunter, and Adam surrounded Jill as they walked up the steps to City Hall. Jill tried to keep her eyes straight ahead, but she did see Steve giving reporters nods, and soon they had a crowd following them.

“I think I’m going to get sick,” Jill whispered, holding onto Adam’s hand.

“What the f*ck are you going to throw up?” Adam whispered back. “You been holding out on me and found something better than crackers?”

Jill choked out a laugh, then leaned in toward Adam. “I’m having a hard time pissing,” she admitted with a whisper not knowing why she shared that with him, but just felt the need to do so.

“Welcome to the club.” Adam opened the door allowing Jill to go in first. “After this is over, we can compare symptoms.”

“Deal.” Jill’s smile faded as they were met with a metal detector. She didn’t bring her weapon and hoped the guys didn’t either or she would be going in there alone. Jill started to go through, but the officer running it stopped her.

“What business do you have here?” The officer’s tone was nasty.