Adam (The Protectors #5)(55)
“Get the women in the van now!” Duncan turned to Adam and Steve, who jumped into action doing as ordered. Jill and Lana remained outside of the van watching the horror of what was happening. Once the women were safely inside, Adam stepped away to see what was going on.
Pam stepped out of the van shutting the door.
“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” Duncan growled, grabbing her arm to usher her back to the van.
“I’m a half-breed.” Pam snapped her arm away. “And this affects me more than you. I am not going to hide in a van.”
Duncan frowned, but didn’t push the issue. He did however look back at Adam. “Keep a close eye on that van.”
Adam nodded, but his eyes were on the women and children being ushered out of the bus at gunpoint. Even though they were a distance away, Adam could see the fear and confusion on their faces as they took in their surroundings. Anger burned deep in his stomach and the rumbling growls around him indicated that he wasn’t alone in that feeling.
“Where are the men?” Lana asked as the last of the women and children were out of sight.
As soon as she spoke those words, the first man appeared with a police officer following closely behind aiming a gun at his back.
“That’s a Taser.” Sid frowned, looking at Sloan. “That would be enough to put a half-breed down, but not for long.”
“Anne explained in her report the way the humans who kept them controlled the half-breeds. They did so by drugging them enough to keep them in a weakened state,” Duncan replied, not taking his eyes off the scene.
Once the male half-breed disappeared, the cop came back, climbed up on the bus and appeared with another male and it continued that way until the bus was empty.
A car came flying down the road slamming to stop inches from the closed gate. Three people jumped out grabbing the fence screaming and shaking the fence. Their frantic cries for their loved ones reached the Warriors. The people outside the fence were human who had just lost their loved ones.
The driver in the black Cadillac got out walking back to open the back door. The Mayor stepped out, straightened his suit and then reached in; out came Alice.
“I swear I’m going to kill that bitch one day,” Jill hissed, her fists tightening.
Alice and the Mayor ignored the screams at the fence, but just before they disappeared, Alice looked their way. Raising her hand, she gave them a finger wave before disappearing.
The officers got back in their cars following the bus out of the gates, on their way, no doubt to find more half-breeds. Officers pushed the three humans away before closing the gates and locking them.
“This can’t be happening.” Lana turned toward Sid in shock.
“But it is,” Jax responded, looking at each of them. “And now we have a big decision to make. Whose side will you fight for, because war is coming?”
“Nothing has changed on my watch.” Sloan stepped in the middle of the group. “We fight for those who can’t fight or protect themselves.”
Sloan’s fist slammed into his chest and stayed there as one by one each Warrior did the same in a show of what they stood for. It was a Warrior’s oath. Adam followed as did Steve. Jill was the last to slam her fist to her chest as she turned and looked toward the massive stone building. Adam, Steve and Jill all made eye contact knowing that they had just taken their first oath as future Warriors.
As everyone made their way back to the bikes, Adam stood, staring at the building, feeling Jill and Steve beside him.
“I didn’t work this hard to overcome my demons to end up in a place like that.” Adam glanced at Jill, then Steve.
“We didn’t ask for this life.” Jill looked over at Slade who was waiting on his bike.
All the Warriors sat patiently watching them, giving them a moment. The only Warrior close was Jax, who again leaned against his bike, his back to the building.
“You may not have asked for it, but here you are.” Jax stared at Jill. “Looks like you won’t have to worry so much about being a liability, since Warriors are going to be in great demand.”
Jill’s head snapped toward Jax, a hard look flashing across her face. “Oh, I’m more of a liability to anyone who even tries to put me or one of my loved ones in a place like that.”
Jax nodded as he watched the three half-breeds turn to walk away, but his eyes went back to Jill. “Guess I’m planning on staying on for a while, Sloan.” His gaze turned toward Slade who was looking ready to run him over with his bike. “I need a raise and a studio apartment.”
“Yeah, I’ll get right on that.” Sloan kicked up his kickstand.
“Anyone want a roommate?” Jax called out, sliding onto his bike, his grin growing as he looked straight at Jill. Slade kicked his kickstand up a little too hard, almost sending Jill tumbling off. “Guess not.”
Jax laughed as he started his bike. Waiting to fall in behind everyone, he made eye contact with Steve, Adam and Jill. Even giving Slade a hard time about Jill, he was going to make damn sure those three would be the best damn Warriors the council had ever seen. Before pulling out, he glanced back one more time. Alice stood at the corner of the building staring at him. With a large smile, he lifted his hand and flipped her off, making sure she knew he saw her. As he pulled out, he sprayed rocks against the fence and building, clearly stating they weren’t going to lie down and take it. They would be back.