Adam (The Protectors #5)(7)

“Ha! Ninety-eight? Thank God, it’s not ninety-nine. I mean, what the hell.” Steve’s eyes bugged out of his head as he turned to stare in despair. “I’m toast, guys.”

“No, you’re not.” Jill frowned, but her eyes showed her own fear of failure. “Why are we just now finding out about this? With a percentage like that, I’d think we’d need more than a month to be prepared?”

“As a Warrior, you do not get any warning because you better be prepared for anything at all times. Out there is no percentage, just death. If we did not feel you were ready for this, you would not be participating in the initiation,” Slade replied, his eyes burning into Jill’s before looking away to stare down at Steve, then finally Adam. “If a percentage scares you, then you best head out that door right now because you are not Warrior material.”

“We got this.” Adam nodded, putting his hand on Jill’s shoulder, his eyes never leaving Slade’s. “When do we start training?”

“Meet at the warehouse at six sharp,” Slade ordered without a trace of concern. “You will not fail. I won’t allow it.”

“Now, get the hell out of my office.” Sloan sat up grabbing his phone, but as the half-breeds started out of his office, he stopped them. “If I didn’t have the confidence in this team, you would not be here.”

Adam followed Jill and Steve out of the room after nodding to Slade and Sloan.

“I don’t know about you two, but I need a beer,” Steve sighed once they cleared Sloan’s office. “You coming, Adam?”            

“Yeah, right behind ya,” Adam answered not really paying attention, but grinned once Jill and Steve turned their backs to him. The excitement was building inside him. He was so ready for this and he’d make damn sure his teammates were just as ready. They would not fail. Since being turned, he was finally feeling alive again, and maybe this is what he needed to forget about her.

Chapter 4

Sid stood at the stove cooking up a huge pot of his famous chili, but his eyes were on Lana. Everyone sat around talking about the initiation except for Lana who kept fidgeting. His eyes met Nicole’s who had also been watching Lana.

“Okay, you pigs, it’s ready.” Sid stepped out of the way, as Damon and Jared about mowed him down.

“Is this your recipe or Rachel’s?” Jared grinned, spooning himself a big bowl of the steaming chili.

Walking up to Lana, Sid ignored Jared’s smartass remark. “You better grab a bowl before it’s gone.”

Lana jumped, her eyes flying to his. She then smiled the fakest smile he’d ever seen. “I’ll get some later.” She sniffed the air. “It smells delish, but I’m not hungry right now. I ate at Mom and Dad’s.”

“No, you didn’t.” Sid frowned at the lie. “Which I don’t blame you, that sandwich looked nasty as hell. Caroline needs to take lessons from me.”

“It did look nasty, but it’s one of my favorites.” Lana grinned, but then looked away from his knowing stare.

“This is going to end now, Lana.” Sid turned, but she grabbed his arm.

“Please, not now,” she pleaded, looking toward Nicole then back at him. “I’m not ready.”

“This is affecting you and it’s my responsibility to protect you.” Sid took hold of her hand and gave it a squeeze. “It ends now.” Before Lana could protest further, Sid turned to get everyone’s attention.

“Please.” But her plea went unnoticed.

“Listen up, brothers.” Sid’s tone took on a rare seriousness, which captured the attention of every Warrior present. “Lana has some…” Sid stopped, not really knowing how to explain what was going on.

“Some what?” Jared looked between Sid and Lana, putting his spoon down.

Lana stood up, her face pinched with nervous energy. “I have messages for you.”

“Messages?” Jared asked, his brow lowered in confusion until his eyes popped open and a ‘holy shit’ expression flashed across his face. “You mean…”

Nodding, Lana held her hands together. “I know this is strange to you all, but they have been with me from the very beginning and…” Her eyes fell on Damon, “have become very persistent.”’

Standing quickly, Damon walked away from the table to put his bowl in the sink. “I don’t need to hear anything from my past.” He reached down to help Nicole from the table.

“But—” Lana began, but he cut her off.

“The past is dead to me.” Damon’s golden eyes turned hard. “I don’t need you digging it up.”

Sid watched the pained expression cross Lana’s face before she hid it. “Go into the game room and wait.” He turned Lana around, leading her toward the door. “We’ll be right there.”

Everyone watched as Lana walked out the door, shoulders slumped. Then their eyes focused on Sid who looked mad enough to tear out throats. “For her to be told to leave without giving me shit is a clear indication something is not right.” Sid pointed over his shoulder. “She is not eating, sleeping or bitching me out for ordering her around, because dead people are wanting to talk to you *s and they won’t go away.”