Damon (The Protectors #1)(34)

Looking around Mitch frowned. “She was just here talking to Pam.”

Damon called her name knowing she wouldn't answer. “Son of a bitch.” Dropping his stuff he ran out the door to the parking lot. Nothing. She was nowhere. Rushing back inside he pulled his phone out. “What's Pam's number?”

Mitch rattled it off pulling his phone out checking to see if he had any messages.

Damon punched in the number pacing back and forth as Jared walked up from the back. “What's going on?” Jared ask Mitch.

“Nicole's gone.” Mitch rubbed his eyes trying to stay calm.

Damon snapped his phone shut with a curse. “She said Nicole walked out with her to get a book and then was heading inside when she was pulling away.” Punching in Nicole's number he prayed she would answer, but knew she wouldn't. Ringing came from the corner; Damon looked over to see her bag laying there. “Shit.” He shut his phone and the ringing stopped, a sickening silence followed.

“I'll get Duncan and call Sid. We'll find her.” Jared headed toward the back, but stopped when Mitch's phone rang.

“Yeah.” Mitch answered. Relief then anger crossed his worried face. “Where the hell are you Callahan?”

Damon straightened. “Where is she?” He was half way out the door ready to go to her.

Mitch held one finger up to Damon, a finger Damon wanted to break off. His patience was running very thin and he was ready to kill something.

“Nicole don't....” Mitch took the phone from his ear. “hang up. Dammit!”

“Where is she?” Damon demanded still at the door ready to head out after her.

“She's with Eddie.” Mitch looked to Jared then back at Damon. “She wanted us to know she was okay and that she was taking a small leave of absence.”

“What the hell brought that on and why did she leave her stuff?” This from Jared. “It doesn't make sense.”

“She told me to let her talk and if I interrupted or anyone else got on the phone she would hang up.” Mitch frowned.

“That's it?” Damon was pissed, but more than that he was frantic with worry. She was out there without protection.

“No.” He turned to look at Damon. “She told me to tell you that you needed to feed.”

Damon was a blur as he shot across the room grabbing Jared around the throat pinning him to the wall. “You son of a bitch.” Damon's deadly hiss cut across the room. “What did you say to her?”

“I didn't say anything Damon.” Jared grabbed Damon's arm, but couldn't budge it from his throat. “I would never say anything to hurt that girl and f*ck you for thinking I would.”

For a second his hand tightened around his friend’s throat before he let go. “Then who did?”

Jared rubbed his throat as understanding flashed in his eyes. “I know who did.”

“Alice.” Both men growled.

After thanking Eddie for the ride she ran into her apartment grabbing things as she went stuffing them into an overnight bag. She knew Damon would come here first and she had to get out before he showed up. It was cowardly to run off, but she would not be his downfall. Her heart hurt just thinking about it. She would even beg him to go to Alice before she would let him be humiliated before his peers. And with that she knew Pam was right. She was in love with him. Her phone rang in the kitchen spurring her to go faster. Yanking her workout clothes off she hopped around pulling on a pair of jeans and grabbed a t-shirt throwing it on. The phone went silent for a second before it started to ring again.

Grabbing her bag she ran to Ren and Stimpy. “Okay guys, watch the place for me.” She dribbled food for them. “I'll get Mitch or Pam to feed you until I can get back.”

Again the phone went silent before starting up again driving her crazy, she hated a ringing phone. Taking a quick look around she grabbed her keys off the counter and headed out the door toward her car. Opening her trunk she threw in her bag before slamming it shut.

“Going somewhere?” Damon blocked her way to her car door.

Nicole jumped back screaming, tripping over her own feet. Damon reached out to steady her. Gaining control she pulled away trying to rush past him. “Let me go Damon.”

“No.” Damon blocked her way again. “Hell no.” He grabbed her keys out of her hand.

“Hey, give those back.” Nicole grabbed for them but he was faster. Sighing she didn't attempt to take them again. “Damon please give me my keys.”

“Not until you tell me what the hell is going on.” Damon leaned up against her car arms crossed, making him seem so at ease. The anger in his eyes told a different story. “Do you know how dangerous it was for you to leave like that without protection?”

“Eddie was with me.” Nicole grumbled. Why did he have to look so damn sexy?

Damon rolled his eyes with a snort. “Like I said, without protection.” Looking around he straightened. “As a matter of fact we should go in. It's not smart standing out in the open like this.”

“I don't want to go inside, I want my keys.” Nicole was seriously getting pissed. “You are not my boss, father or boyfriend Damon. I am a free woman able to make my own decisions. Nothing has happened to even hint someone is after me. I want to be left alone and I know you and the others have better things to do than watch after me.”