Damon (The Protectors #1)(21)

Rolling her eyes, Nicole sighed loud and long. “Come on. This isn't necessary. You guys got better things to do than hang around me, waiting for something that may or may not happen.”

“Oh, it's going to happen. Jamison was one of the best and if not for Damon last night, you wouldn't be standing here right now.” Jared turned serious. “You'd be dead or wishing you were.”

Okay, seeing the funny and goofy Jared turn serious in a blink of an eye put things in perspective. “Okay, so what can I do that doesn't involve me leaving my job and life?”

“Who wants to do it?” Duncan looked between Jared and Damon. Well, the silence said a lot. Nicole felt like an idiot standing there waiting to see who was going to be the sacrifice.

“I'll do it.” A man walked out of the shadows of the warehouse.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Damon frowned at the newcomer.

“I called the council. We need more help down here, so they sent Sid and a few more are on their way.” Duncan replied, daring Damon to say anything.

Nicole just stood staring at Sid. Hot damn, these warriors were gorgeous. Not usually attracted to blondes, she had to rethink that one. Standing at the same height as Damon's six-three he was slimmer, but wasn't hurting for muscles. He looked solid as a rock and actually looked like Brad Pitt starring in a beach boy movie. Ignoring everyone in the warehouse, he stopped in front of Nicole. “Name's Sid Sinclair.” He put his hand out and she took it in a strong shake.

She nodded trying not to stare, failing miserably. “Nicole Callahan.”

“So you're the children's hero, huh?” Sid dropped her hand and smiled, looking her up and down. “Not much to ya. Figured you'd be ah....taller.” He winked.

“Children's hero?” Mitch looked around confused.

“Oh yeah....this woman is well known around the council.” Sid smirked at Damon's frown. “She's put a dent in the blood selling business by pulling kids from the homes that are exploiting them.”

“Seriously?” Pride warmed her, Nicole grinned. All her hard work was finally paying off and she loved it.

“Oh, yeah.” Sid grinned, looking her up and down. “So, I would be honored to guard that body.”

Even though Nicole thought Sid was hot, he was not her kind of hot. The vampire growling with a nasty sneer at Sid was more her style. Too bad he was taken.

Duncan knew if he didn't step in there was going to be a killing. He didn't know why Damon hadn't stepped up, but he knew Damon well enough to know there was a good reason why he didn't. “Sid, I have something else in mind for you. Jared, get your stuff together and go with Nicole.”

Jared nodded. He didn't volunteer earlier because he knew something was going on with Damon and Nicole, but hell, Damon hadn't stepped up. “Sure thing.” He turned and walked away.

Grabbing his bag Jared turned to go back out and came face to face with Damon. “Hey, big guy.”

“Keep her safe.” Damon demanded blocking the door.

“I know my job, Damon. What I don't know is why you aren't doing it.”

“I have my reasons.”

“Yeah, well hope you can live with them if something happens to her.” Jared tried to walk around him.

“Nothing better happen to her Jared, because if it does it will be your ass.” Damon snarled.

Jared dropped his bag and got in Damon's face. “You need to back the f*ck off. You don't want to be the one to guard her so shut the hell up. I don't know what crawled up your ass, but I will guard her and I will die for her if need be. Can you say the same?”

Looking away, Damon backed off. “Get out of here.”

“No problem.” Jared grabbed his bag. “I don't get you man. I really don't. A blind man can see you have feelings for Nicole and she sure as hell has feelings for you. I never figured you for a coward.”

“You don't know what you're talking about.” Damon still didn't look at him. But Jared was right, he was a coward. This little human scared the hell out of him.

Shaking his head, Jared walked out. “Whatever.”

Chapter 7

The week had gone by in a flash of work, shopping for a dress and missing Damon. Nicole stood in front of her full length mirror making sure her finishing touches for tonight's charity dance were acceptable. Jared had taken her and Pam dress shopping Wednesday and had actually been very helpful. He had sat patiently as they tried on many dresses and commented on each. He actually had very good taste.

Nicole had finally settled on a black chiffon spaghetti strap gown with a sweetheart bodice. It hung with an uneven hem and flowed around to a short train. She had really liked the dress, but thought it was too casual for the event, but Jared had insisted it was perfect and she was glad now she bought it. Glancing down at her shoes, she smiled. They were very pretty, but something she wouldn't have bought herself. Jared had insisted, saying that they set the dress off. They were black satin, with a wraparound instep, rhinestone toe straps and ended with a five-inch stiletto heel. She prayed she didn't break her neck. Glancing one last time in the mirror she smiled, wondering if Damon would be there tonight. For once she looked like a lady and secretly wanted him to see her. Jared had warned her not to go anywhere without him tonight. They were afraid with the combination of public exposure and the prominent people attending the event tonight, it would be a prime time for someone to make a hit on her. Walking out of her bedroom she closed the door softly.