Adam (The Protectors #5)(54)

Since the Warriors didn’t keep much from their mates, no one was shocked at the news.

“I want to go.” Pam held Daniel close. “I’m a half-breed and this involves me.”

Nicole and Tessa followed Pam’s lead, also wanting to see what was going on. “We’ll be fine.” Nicole looked toward Damon. “I want to go.”

“As do I,” Tessa told Jared.

Each Warrior looked at each other with a silent message before walking out of the room. Knowing there was nothing they could do to stop their mates from going—other than tying them up—they made their safety top priority.

Adam followed everyone out of the compound, his arm wrapped tight around Angelina. “You okay?”

“Fine,” she responded and looked up at him. “A little surprised I’m being included.”

“Get used to it because you are a part of this crazy family now.” They waited until they got Daniel settled into his car seat, and the women piled in. He helped Angelina into the van where she sat next to his sister. Then with a wink, he closed the door and headed for Jill and Steve.

“I feel like the last one picked for kickball,” Steve grumbled as they stood around alone. The women and Damon were in the van. The other Warriors headed for their bikes, and they stood like losers wondering how they were going to get to the party.

The sound of bikes echoed. Sid was the first to appear. Stopping, he nodded toward Steve. “Get on.” Steve did as ordered, not knowing where to place his hands. “Don’t grab my balls,” Sid growled the warning.

“I’ll try to refrain,” Steve snorted, and then grabbed on when Sid jerked the bike in motion.

Sloan positioned his bike in front of the van, while Sid positioned behind. Slade pulled up stopping in front of Jill, who jumped on. Adam turned when Jared pulled up, nodding toward him. Adam slid on and Jared positioned his bike behind Slade next to the van. Sloan turned to check and then pulled out with them all following as one. Everything the Warriors cared about was in that van. If an enemy wanted to take out the Warriors, all they would have to do is take out the van filled with their mates.

It was six o’clock and rush hour traffic was heavy, but they never once got separated. Adam glanced at the van next to him, and even though he couldn’t see inside with the dark tinted windows, he felt Angelina’s stare. Stopping at a red light, two girls in a Mustang GT openly flirted with Slade, who ignored them keeping his head straightforward. Adam and Jared laughed when Jill leaned toward them with a snarl, showing her fangs. The girl in the passenger seat rolled up her window quickly.

Jared just shook his head as the light turned green and they passed the Mustang. Adam looked inside the Mustang, but both women stared straight ahead. Finally, out of heavy traffic, they followed Sloan who turned off onto a gravel road. Adam spotted Jax leaning against his bike in front of a large chain-link fence that surrounded a two-story block building that spanned at least an acre of land. It was massive.

The bikes curved off, giving room for the van. Jax didn’t move as everyone made their way toward him. As soon as Sloan walked up, Jax produced a paper handing it to him and then gave him a minute to look it over. When Sloan cursed long and loud, Jax pushed away from his bike.

“I’m sure Sloan has told you that he asked me to meet with the Mayor, which I did. My orders were to find out exactly what his plans were with the half-breeds as well as if it were a serious threat. Two important factors I found out. First is that your Mayor is the puppet of Alice, his fiancée, and from the look of hatred on most of your faces, I see you know her. The second important fact I discovered is that a roundup, as they called it, of half-breeds has been approved by the US Government and signed by the President himself. Effective immediately. Our question is why our leading officials were not notified of this.”

“There is no way I can live there.” Pam’s eyes were on the building; she held Daniel tightly to her. “And what about Daniel?”

Duncan stepped up protectively. “You will never live there.” His response was final and his look dared anyone to contradict him.

“But this is an order from the US Government.” Pam struggled with Daniel when he became restless.

Adam watched as Duncan took Daniel and he whispered something to Pam. His eye swept to Jill who was staring at the building before looking at him. She shook her head slowly and he knew what she was silently saying. She wouldn’t be locked down there either.

“I’ve called an emergency meeting with all the High Council members,” Sloan replied, his hand tightly gripping the official paper. “The US Government has broken Treaty 5701 by ordering this without Vampire Council knowledge.”

Jax actually laughed, but his laughter held no humor. “I’m surprised it has taken this long.” He held out his arms shaking his head when everyone stared at him. “As a Native American, this comes as no shock to me. But I thought it was important for each and every one of you to be here to see this firsthand.”

Night was falling and lights clicked on around the building as headlights swept across the group. The Warriors surrounded the women until the plain white bus turned into a paved drive further up from them. The gate opened and the bus drove through. Following the bus were two police cars and a black Cadillac followed by another police car.

The bus stopped and six uniformed officers came out of the front of the building, each carrying a shotgun positioning themselves in different areas around the bus. The officers in the police cars opened their trunks retrieving their own shotguns. Once everyone was in position, the officers raised their guns.