Adam (The Protectors #5)(19)
“I don’t need a warrant, Mr. Waters.” Lana, with Adam’s help, pushed herself into the entryway. “We received a 911 call for this residence, which trumps a warrant. You are more than welcome to call my captain while I wait, but I assure you, it will be the same outcome.”
Robert started to sweat profusely, his stance becoming more defensive. “Okay, you’re in but no one is here.” He spread his arms wide. “Now please, I’m going to be late for an appointment.”
“What time did your wife leave?” Lana asked, her eyes fixed on the man.
“She’s been gone for a while.” His voice even, but his eyes shifted nervously to the stairs leading up.
Adam didn’t miss the shift and neither did Lana as she looked that way. As if on cue, a noise sounded from right above them. “Either he has a really bad rodent problem or someone is up there.” Adam glared, trying to keep control, knowing Angelina was in this house somewhere.
“Who’s upstairs, Mr. Waters?” Lana questioned.
When he didn’t answer, Adam headed that way. “I’ll find out.”
Robert made a strange sound before slapping his forehead in a very bad acting performance. “I totally forgot. My newly married mind is so filled with my lovely wife.” His jab was aimed toward Adam, which was a bad move.
Adam took the bait; he couldn’t help the low rumbled growl that escaped his lips. “If you don’t tell us who the f*ck is upstairs, I’m either going up there to find out myself, or better yet, I’m going to beat the answer out of you.”
“Adam,” Lana warned, shaking her head at him.
“Your choice,” Adam finished, not even acknowledging Lana’s warning.
“My brother came into town late last night,” Robert replied, not looking as smug as he did in the face of Adam’s threat. In fact, he looked ready to break down into tears.
“Bullshit,” Adam challenged, but before another word could be spoken, a shrill terrified scream filled the large house, coming from upstairs.
Robert moved quickly pushing past Lana. Adam headed for the stairs, but stopped, hearing Lana shouting for Robert to stop. “Go, Adam,” Lana ordered as she took off after Robert.
Adam was torn, but when another scream ripped throughout the house, he took off up the stairs, jumping four at a time. He knew Lana was a cop and could handle herself, or at least he hoped the hell so, if not Sid would have his ass. The shill scream stopped, instantly spurring Adam faster.
Stopping at the end of a hallway, Adam cocked his head, trying to determine where the screams had come from. Muffled voices and the sound of struggle came from the door on his right. Reaching out, he touched the door handle, twisting slightly finding it locked. Taking a step back, he mentally readied himself for what was beyond the door. His training to this point had taught him to ready himself. Taking one step, he lifted his leg and kicked the door completely off the hinges. It took him a second to assess the situation and he was pissed beyond belief. In the corner of the dingy room, cowered a woman, who had her mouth opened in a silent scream as she watched Angelina struggle with a huge man who was in the process of backhanding her across the face.
Adam didn’t say a word as he rushed the guy, grabbing him by his long hair and throwing him off Angelina. The crash that echoed in the room as the huge guy hit the opposite wall was deafening. Adam took a quick glance at Angelina and the other woman to make sure they were out of harm’s way before stalking toward the bastard. Using his foot, he gently nudged a gun that must have been knocked loose when the * hit the wall further away from the man. Leaning down, Adam grasped the man’s shirt, hauled him up and backhanded him across the face.
“Doesn’t feel good, does it?” Adam growled, keeping a tight hold so he could continue to pound his fist into the man’s already bleeding face. A click from behind him stopped his fist in mid swing. Still holding the man, Adam turned to see Angelina holding the gun that had skidded across the floor after the man Adam had thrown hit the wall. “Angel?” Adam questioned as he dropped the man and turned toward her.
“I’m so sorry.” Tears streamed down her face as she raised the gun and pulled the trigger.
Chapter 8
Caroline sat toward the back of the room watching the Warriors, who occasionally shot her a look, before going back to their discussion, which she couldn’t hear. The doctor warrior, Slade, had come in also. They were magnificent men, vampire or not. The power in the room was almost overwhelming and Caroline could honestly say she had never felt safer in her entire life. Though she wasn’t afraid, even after her ordeal a few weeks ago, the dark man meant her no harm that she could tell. He just had a message and he was becoming more agitated minute by minute.
“You sure you should be doing this?” A deep voice broke through her thoughts.
Looking up, way up, Slade stood over her, a frown tilting his lips downward, his eyes searching. “Yes, he means me no harm.”
“And how do you know this?” he questioned. “Because he said so?” The frown stayed, but one eyebrow cocked slightly.
“Yes.” Caroline nodded, feeling like she was under a microscope and this gorgeous man knew her every thought. And wouldn’t that be embarrassing.
“You are too trusting, Caroline.” Slade shook his head in concern. “After what you just experienced, you may be too vulnerable for this.”