Adam (The Protectors #5)(25)

“I can’t,” she whispered back. “Just tell me when to start shooting.”

Adam grinned; he couldn’t help it. Even though he was damn worried about her and the women upstairs, he was pumped and ready for whoever came down the steps. He actually loved this shit. “Stay here. Don’t move and please don’t shoot me,” Adam whispered as he silently headed for the steps. Plastering his back against the wall, he checked Lana who stood steady and determined with her gun aimed surprisingly accurately toward the steps. He just hoped to God she had control and didn’t shoot him.

As the person coming down the steps was about to the turn the corner to the last three steps, Adam readied himself. Glancing down, he waited. As soon as he saw a foot, he was going in for the takedown. In the next second, a shoe appeared and Adam reached around grabbing the front of the man’s shirt, but to Adam’s surprise, he was the one being flipped to the ground, his face pounded by heavy fists.

“Adam!” Lana screamed. “Stop or I’ll shoot.”

The pounding stopped at Lana’s voice, and Adam was able to see Sid sitting on top of him, whose eyes were focused on Lana.

“How in the hell can you shoot if you can’t see a f*cking thing,” Sid growled, pushing himself off Adam to go to Lana.

Rolling over and up onto his knees, Adam sighed while wiping the blood leaking from his nose. The basement lights flared on making Adam flinch at their brightness. “It’s about f*cking time.”

Sid ignored him while he looked over Lana. “Who the f*ck did that to your face?” His voice was deadly low.

Lana still squinted from the bright lights. “I was chasing someone and didn’t realize anyone else was here. He hit me from the side, and then threw me down here.” Lana frowned. “Rookie mistake.”

“And where the f*ck were you?” Sid turned on Adam, his face furious.

Adam grimaced, getting the first real look at her face. It was bloodied and battered; her eye almost swelled shut. “I was…ah…”

“Obviously not with her where you should have been,” Sid roared, pointing his finger at Adam.

“Sid, it’s not his fault.” Lana put her gun back in the waist of her jeans. “I sent him upstairs while I went on the chase.”

Sid ignored her, his eyes still glaring hot at Adam. “Never leave your partner’s back unprotected.” Sid stopped Lana when she tried to walk past him, but his eyes stayed on Adam.

“I know.” Adam nodded, knowing Sid was right. It was one of the first lessons taught to him. “I f*cked up. I’m sorry, Lana.”

Lana pulled her arm away from Sid. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Adam. I was in charge and you followed my orders.” She turned to look at Sid. “So be pissed at me.”

“Oh, I am more than pissed at you,” Sid’s tone was low, his eyes blacker than midnight as he glared down at her.

“Good, cause I’m still pissed at you.” She pushed past him. “Now get the hell out of my way. I’ve got work to finish here. Come on, Adam. What did you find upstairs?”

Adam went to follow Lana, but Sid pushed him out of the way and followed her up the stairs. “There are two guys upstairs in one of the rooms,” Adam called around Sid to Lana.

They stopped in the kitchen, Sid still looked pissed and worried, but his Warrior instincts kicked in. Jared walked into the room. “Found two guys knocked out upstairs. The one married to Angelina is coming around and there is one door locked, but the rest have been checked.”

Adam frowned, heading out of the kitchen. “The door that’s locked has about six women, both human and half-breeds.”

Climbing the steps, he found Slade and Damon in front of the door. “Angelina?” Adam called out, making his way between the two Warriors. “Open the door.”

“I can’t.” Her voice filtered through the door. “The lock is jammed where you broke the key.”

“Angelina, get everyone away from the door.” Adam waited for a few minutes, hearing footsteps scurrying away. Slade and Damon moved to give him room. With one swift kick, he smashed the door open.

Some of the women sat huddled against each other, while others stood. Every pair of eyes was on Adam and the Warriors, mistrust evident in their gaze. Angelina was the first to move, walking to Adam. She stood, staring up at him as he looked down at her. Slade and Damon moved past them, slowly approaching the women.

“I’m sorry,” Angelina spoke as they stood somewhat alone, her voice breaking at the end. “I had no choice.”

“You could have warned me somehow.” Adam didn’t know exactly how to feel. He wanted to just say screw it, grab her and never let go, but he remembered the hurt standing on the doorstep as he met her husband. “But instead, you introduced me to your husband.”

Angelina didn’t look away, but the anger in her eyes surprised him. “I had no choice,” she repeated. “And he’s not my husband.”

Damon walked up beside them. “We need you, Adam.” He looked from Adam to Angelina. “We also need a statement from you. Have you been hurt?”

Angelina looked away from Adam to stare up at Damon, and then back at Adam. “Yes.” With that, she walked away to stand with the other women.

Adam frowned at her retreating back, but snapped out of it when Damon stepped in his line of vision.