Adam (The Protectors #5)(6)

“Oh, you mean grumpy ass.” Jill tossed Steve an evil grin. “Isn’t that what you called our fearless leader?”

Steve let his arms flop to his sides, his head down as he walked toward the door. “Where’s Damon?”

“Why?” Adam asked Steve, but watched Slade, who hadn’t taken his eyes off Jill.

“So he can decapitate me before I say more stupid shit.” Steve stopped and looked up at Slade, opened his mouth to say more, but then shut it tight and rushed out.

Adam watched as Jill and Slade stood staring at each after Steve practically ran out of the room. Adam wondered what the hell the two were waiting for; it was obvious they were into each other. Rolling his eyes, he walked between them heading out the door.

“Shut my door when you guys are through staring at each other.” Adam chuckled when he heard Slade growl and Jill call him an *.

“What the hell was that remark about?” Jill caught up with him.

“Which one?” Adam grinned, enjoying teasing her. He’d had his head up his ass for so long it felt good to have it free.

“Naked…ground fighting?” she hissed, walking in front of him backwards, stopping. He paused abruptly before he plowed her over. “That wasn’t funny.”

Picking her up, he easily moved her aside and continued. “Yeah,” he laughed, “it was.”

“Payback’s a bitch.” Jill cut in front of him before entering Sloan’s office, but not before she rammed her elbow into his stomach. She turned and smirked at his pained expression. “Now, that was funny.”

Adam pushed her the rest of the way in the room, stopping next to Steve who stood in front of Sloan’s desk.

“Have a seat.” Sloan pointed to the two chairs in front of his desk.

Adam continued to stand as Jill and Steve sat. Slade walked in and closed the door behind him. Adam had a feeling it was about to get real and wondered where the rest of the Warriors were.

“I’m going to get right to the point.” Sloan tossed his pen down before staring at each of them. “Your training, up until now, has been compromised because of everything that’s been going on. We are going to have to step it up to a level that is either going to break you or make you Warrior material.”

Excitement surged through Adam’s body. This is what he wanted, what he needed to keep his head on straight. Steve and Jill both glanced at him and he felt their excitement mix with his.

“Slade is going to be heading up the rest of your training.” Sloan’s eyes left them landing on Slade. “I want them more than ready. I want the rest of the council talking about them well after the initiation.”

“They’ll be ready.” Slade gave one nod as if it was done already.

Sloan looked back at the three. “We will not lose.”

“Lose?” Adam frowned, his competitive nature edged to the surface ready and more than willing to do what it takes not to lose. To Adam, losing was never an option.

“To become a Warrior, you will be going against other trainees and Warriors as individuals and as a four person team. Dillon is on his way back. I’m having him re-transferred here. The initiation will be exactly one month from now.” Sloan’s voice left no room for debate.

“We’re going against Warriors?” Jill frowned, glancing at Slade. “I mean is that really fair since they are going to be training us?”

“You won’t be going against any of the Warriors here.” Looking at each of them, Sloan leaned back in his chair. “But it will be against some seasoned Warriors.”

“But it’s just an initiation, right?” Steve finally spoke up.

Adam watched the look Sloan and Slade shared. “I’m thinking it’s more than an initiation.” His eyes found Sloan’s, and in that instant, he knew he was right.

Sloan sighed, rubbing his hand down his face. “Maybe they’re not ready.”

“Well, maybe we would be if we knew what was going on.” Jill stood, standing beside Adam. “I mean, exactly what is going on?”

“You are going to have to fight and survive against seasoned Warriors. If you are caught during the team competitions, you could be tortured to give up your team’s base camp, secrets or whatever else they want to know.” Sloan’s voice echoed in the silence of the room.

“Survive? Torture?” Steve leaned forward from his chair. “We could die?”

“That’s not going to happen.” Slade stepped up to the desk. “We are going to make sure you are the best. You’ve already proven yourselves worthy to be considered Warriors.”

“But it could happen?” Steve looked over his shoulder at Jill and Adam.

“Son, we don’t let anyone be Warriors,” Sloan replied to Steve without actually answering his question. “You will be tested to your limit.”

“So as long as we don’t die,” Steve’s voice held a tinge of sarcasm, “we are Warriors.”

“Not exactly,” Slade replied. “You will be scored. If you score below the percentage, you will be sent on your way.”

“What’s the percentage?” Jill’s voice clearly indicated she didn’t really want to hear the answer.

“Ninety-eight percent,” Sloan replied, crossing his arms across his large chest.