Adam (The Protectors #5)(4)

“Tell him, Lana,” Caroline ordered, pulling up a stool of her own.

Sid turned to look down at Lana who looked away from him. He grasped her chin, forcing her eyes back to his. “Lana.” Sid rarely used his demanding tone with Lana, because well, it wouldn’t really work on her, but this time it did.

“I have spirits wanting me to deliver messages for them and they are very persistent.” Lana tried to look away, but Sid wouldn’t allow it.

“Is that why you’ve been so restless?” His tone turned serious. He was no longer making jokes, noticing for the first time, the paleness shadowing her beautiful face.

“She can’t eat. She can’t sleep and she won’t be able to do those things until she delivers the messages,” Caroline added, worry edging each word as her eyes briefly met Sid’s.

Sid nodded as if it was a done deal. “Who do you need to talk to you?”

Lana shot Caroline a dirty look, and then stood. “Damon, Jared, Duncan and Sloan.” She couldn’t meet his eyes.

“Okay, I don’t see a problem with that,” Sid replied, totally confused about what the hell the problem was, other than it being a little weird, but hell, he was a vampire. He lived weird every day.

“You’re not upset?” Lana still didn’t look at him, her voice shaky which was not like her at all.

“Ah, no.” Sid cocked an eyebrow at Caroline in confusion before looking back at Lana. What the hell was he missing here? “Should I be?”

“She’s upset because no one has come forward for you.” Caroline’s deadpan answer echoed throughout the entire room, making Lana cringe.

It all became crystal clear in that moment, especially when Lana cringed at her sister’s words. Grabbing Lana’s shoulders, he turned her around. “Lana, you don’t need to be upset about that. I’m not surprised no one came forward for me because there isn’t anyone who would.”

“I’m sorry.” Lana did look at him this time; her eyes filled with tears.

“I’m not,” Sid chuckled with a lopsided grin. “Listen, I love you, but to be honest, having a dead person come to give me a message is just plain-ass creepy. I can’t wait to see the guy’s faces when they hear they have a message from beyond the grave.”

Lana snorted and rolled her eyes, while Caroline laughed outright. “It really doesn’t bother you?” The relief in Lana’s voice was evident as she stared up at Sid, even the worry lines that creased her forehead before seemed to fade away.

Sid smiled down at her, taking her face carefully into his large hands. “No, it doesn’t. It means a lot to me that you were worried about my feelings, but I don’t live in the past. I live in the moment and you are my moment.” He leaned down and kissed her lightly.

“That was beautiful.” Caroline fake sniffed, dabbing the corner of her eye.

Lifting his lips from Lana, he looked at Caroline and winked. “It was pretty awesome wasn’t it?”

Lana pinched his stomach, making him jump. “Don’t ruin the moment being a smartass.”

Sid laughed and hugged her close. “Hey, you knew exactly what you were getting with me. Smartass was definitely at the top of the list.”

“I want one,” Caroline sighed.

“One what?” Lana asked, but kept her eyes on Sid who was staring down at her with such intensity she also sighed.

“A Warrior.” Caroline pointed at Sid with a dreamy sigh. “I want me a Warrior. Is Dr. Hottie McVampire taken?”

Sid laughed loudly, rubbing his hands together in evil glee. “Oh, now that is a good one. I’ve been trying to come up with a nickname for him.”

“I think he might be taken.” Lana couldn’t keep the grin off her face as she watched Sid contemplate the new nickname for Slade. Then a thoughtful look had her grin spreading wider. “But Sloan is single, isn’t he?”

“I wouldn’t wish Sloan on my worst enemy, let alone your sister.” Sid tossed Caroline a wink. “Leave it to Sid. I’ll find you a legit man.”

“Ah, I don’t think so.” Lana pushed away from him, shaking her head. “Didn’t you try to do that with Jill and it went terribly wrong?”

Sid snorted, ignoring Lana. “Leave it to me, sis.” Sid grinned at Caroline. “I’ll set you up.”

Lana gave her sister a warning look with a small shake of her head, but Sid caught her in the act, smacking her playfully on the ass.

Caroline laughed with a snort. “Yeah, maybe I’ll pass, bro, but thanks.”

Chapter 3

Adam had just stepped out of the shower when his text alert sounded. Tossing the towel around his neck, he grabbed his phone as Steve walked in without knocking.

“Ah, dude.” Steve shielded his eyes from Adam’s nakedness. “Get some damn clothes on before I go blind or puke.”

“Knock next time, *.” Adam clicked his phone off. “This is my room, and if I want to walk around naked, I will.”

“Did you get a text from Sloan?” Steve walked to the bed, plopping down on his back.

“Yeah, just now.” Adam grabbed a pair of jeans out of his bag he had yet to unpack and pulled them on.

“What do you think it’s about?” Steve crossed his arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling.