Duncan (The Protectors #3)(20)

“No.” Sid took a step forward and jabbed a finger in Duncan’s chest. “Fuck you!”

“Guys.” Pam tried again, a little louder.

“You got a problem?” Duncan growled.

“Yeah, a big ugly one,” Sid growled back.

Pam gave up with a roll of her eyes. Grabbing a slice of toast, she walked to the table and sat down just as Jared walked in.

“What’s their problem?” Jared stopped beside her, looking at Duncan and Sid.

“I honestly don’t know,” she replied with a shrug of her shoulder.

Jared grinned. “Well, just ignore them. It’s been pretty intense around here lately.” He sat down across from her. “So how you doing, fatty?”

Not in the least offended by Jared calling her fatty, she grinned. She had missed his friendship and sense of humor. “Good.” She nibbled on her toast avoiding his gaze. She had been far from good. She was a mess of nerves and emotions she could hardly contain.

“You never could lie worth a damn, Pamster.” Jared eyed her with a frown, but let it go when Duncan and Sid broke up their attitude contest.

“Is that all you’re eating?” both Sid and Duncan asked at the same time.

“I could use some orange juice if you have any.” Pam watched as both men went to get her request.

Sid threw up his hand stopping Duncan. “I got this.”

Grabbing the plate he had initially made for Pam, Duncan growled one last time at Sid, before sitting down next to Pam. “You got plans today?” Duncan asked Jared while digging into his food.

“Not really.” Jared snatched a piece of bacon off Duncan’s plate. “Tessa is spending time with Gramps, and then she has to work. Why? What’s up?”

“We’re going to Pam’s old apartment today and need help getting out of here without a posse of reporters following us.” Duncan grunted with a frown.

“You sure she’s ready for that?” Jared asked without even looking at Pam.

“Well, since she’s sitting right here, why don’t you ask her?” Pam replied pushing her plate away clearly irritated.

Jared grinned with a wink her way. “Sorry, but you know how protective we Warriors are.”

“And I appreciate it, but I do still have a voice. I may be jumpy here and there, but I’m determined to be back to the smartass Pam you all loved to hate.” She also grinned feeling more herself.

“No hate involved, babe.” Jared grabbed another piece of bacon from Duncan’s plate and almost lost a hand.

“Get your own damn plate, and her name is Pam, not babe,” Duncan hissed at Jared before turning his attention to Pam. “No one here hated you, but you were a smartass.” A rare grin broke across his face at his own teasing.

“Oh, ho ho.” Pam laughed. “The mighty leader does have a sense of humor.”

Duncan stopped the coffee cup halfway to his lips, his eyes watching the genuine smile play across her face, her laughter musical. “You are absolutely beautiful.”

Pam blushed, Jared cleared his throat, and Sid set down the biggest glass of orange juice Pam had ever seen. “Thank you,” she said, but no one knew exactly who she was thanking.

Taking a big gulp of coffee, Duncan avoided eye contact with anyone.

Jared stared at the large glass of orange juice. “Geez, why not bring her a damn bucket, bro.”

Pam tried to lift the glass with one hand, but had to use two. She giggled. “It is a little big.” When she saw disappointment in Sid’s eyes, she quickly put it to her mouth and took a drink. “But perfect. Thank you.”

Sid smiled at her then turned and flipped Jared off before walking back to the stove.

Jared shook his head laughing. “Asshole.” Then he turned serious as he looked at Duncan. “I got a plan that I think will work. Be back in a few.” With that said, he pushed away from the table snatching more bacon off Duncan’s plate.

“Dammit.” Duncan tried to snatch them back, but was too slow.

“You had a half of a pig on your plate.” Pam smirked. “I can’t see how missing a few pieces is going to hurt you.”

“I’m hungry.” Duncan took a huge bite of eggs.

“That’s because you didn’t eat in three months,” Sid replied from the stove. “No matter what I made, he wouldn’t eat.”

“Shut up, Sid,” Duncan growled before taking another drink of coffee.

Pam frowned, feeling awful she had put him through that. “I’m sorry.”

Duncan shot Sid a nasty look, but before he could respond, Jared came back in with Damon and Jill following. “What’s the plan?” He pushed his empty plate away, his focus on Jared.

Jared pulled Jill in front of him. “From a distance, Jill can pass for Pam.” He put a baseball hat on her head and handed her the small pillow he’d been carrying which she put under her large shirt. Damon handed her an oversized coat. “Adam is bringing the car around front. Once he’s in front, we will surround her and put her in the car. You guys can leave through the back. We’ll follow and meet you at the apartment just in case they catch on and follow.”

“Two flaws in that plan, friend.” Duncan shook his head. “First, there are reporters surrounding us, and second, the back entrance is for our bikes. She is not riding on the motorcycle.”