Adam (The Protectors #5)(11)
“That’s Alice.” Jill pointed at the beautiful vampire standing next to a tall man with a severe receding hairline. “Who is that?”
“That’s the new mayor, Tom Ferguson,” Ida replied, disgust heavy in her voice. “He’s lower than a snake. I sure didn’t vote for him.”
“Isn’t that the detective who tried to pin that Sheriff’s murder on Pam?” Jill eyes narrowed.
Steve’s eyes narrowed. Looking down at the paper, he read the article, his voice low. “Mayor Ferguson, along with his fiancée, Alice Marshall, has formed a committee to stop the breeding of half-breeds?” Steve shook his head as if trying to understand. “How they going to stop the breeding of half-breeds?”
Adam stood, digging into his pocket. “Can we have this paper?” Adam handed Ida a twenty-dollar bill for their drinks.
“Sure, you can.” Ida took the twenty. “Let me get your change. You sure you don’t want anything to go?”
“Keep the change.” Adam smiled down at the older woman. “Thanks for the information, but we have to leave.”
Ida nodded. “You kids be careful.”
“Always.” Adam followed Jill and Steve out the door, feeling the hostile stares that followed them. Things were about to blow and it looked like half-breeds were going to be right smack in the middle of it.
Chapter 5
Pacing, Lana wished her sister would hurry the hell up. She really didn’t want to do this alone. In her job, she worked side by side with men, but none of them as intimidating or alpha as these Warriors.
“You okay?” Sid walked up wrapping his arms tightly around her, his comfort a welcome shield against the nervousness that gripped her.
Nodding, she turned to look up at him. “I just wish Caroline would get here.” Her eyes left his to look at the Warriors and Nicole, who stood around the room waiting for her. “But I guess I’ll go ahead and get this over with.”
Sid stopped her before she could pull away, tilting her chin so she had to look him in the eyes. “Is this safe for you?” His thumb rubbed gently against her cheek. “Can you be harmed in any way?”
Caroline walked in before Lana could reply which was good. Her mind could be harmed, just like Caroline’s had been, if she wasn’t careful, but she didn’t think the dead who were present now were angry spirits.
“Sorry, I got here as fast as I could.” Caroline sat her bag down next to the door looking around. “Where’s Sloan?”
“I don’t know, but we need to start,” Lana whispered, wringing her hands together. “I’m getting really agitated and I hate feeling this way.”
“That’s because you’re too close to this. You need to let me do it,” Caroline ordered; her voice was firm, holding an edge of nervousness for her sister.
Lana knew her sister was right. She was too close to this, but it wasn’t in her nature to step back. “No. I got it. Just—”
“Sid, I need to be taking care of this.” Caroline stepped around a surprised Lana. “She’s too close and her agitation is off the charts. This could be dangerous for her.”
Lana stepped in front of her sister. “You know what, Caroline, I’m getting sick and tired of you running to Sid like you did Mom and Dad when we were what…five-years-old. I’m a grown-ass woman who can make her own damn decisions, so back the hell off.”
“You told me it was safe,” Sid growled, ignoring her outburst.
Lana moaned, raising her hand to her forehead in frustration. “It is.” She shrugged Sid’s hand as he reached for her. “But they’re getting agitated, which is making me agitated, so we need to do it now.”
Sid didn’t let her attitude back him off. He reached for her again forcing her to look up at him. “You can bitch and moan all you want at me.” He shook her gently to gain her focus. “I will not stand here and watch anything happen to you. I am asking you again, is this safe?”
Caroline crossed her arms, her foot tapping a fast rhythm on the carpet as she watched Lana closely. “This isn’t something to play with, Lana.”
“I understand your concern, Sid, but safe or not, I have to do this. If I don’t, I could possibly go crazy. Until you have dead people in your head, you will never understand what it’s like. Caroline knows I’m right, but we are both at risk here, and like it or not, I’m doing it.” Lana looked at them both. “Now are you going to be behind me on this or keep glaring at me, because honestly, if you are going to continue to glare I’d rather you leave. I want this done and over with.”
“I will always be beside you.” Sid leaned down, kissing her lips gently. “But I swear, if you are harmed, dead or not, whoever harmed you will…” Sid dropped his forehead to hers. “Damn, this is weird shit that I don’t know how to handle and it’s driving me insane.”
“Welcome to my world.” Lana kissed his cheek, before giving him a sad smile. Turning away, she faced Damon, Jared and Duncan. “Are you guys ready?”
Jared straightened up from the wall he’d been leaning against. “Honestly, I have no idea.” Crossing his arms, he stared down at her. “In all my years, I have never seen anything like this and I don’t know if I quite believe it.”