Duncan (The Protectors #3)(40)

As soon as the vampire leaned back up, a hole appeared in the center of his forehead, his body weight falling on Jill, taking them both to the ground. Slade put the gun back in the waistband of his jeans under his jacket, as the echo of the gunshot faded.

The other vampires who had started toward the car dropped once again to their knees, hands behind their heads.

“That was f*cking awesome.” Sid grinned then mocked the now dead vampire. “Or die? Then BAM the bitch is dead! God, I love this shit.”

Jill kicked and pushed trying to get the dead weight of the vampire off her. Slade reached down lifting him off her without a grunt, tossing him to the side. “Check the woman in the car,” Jill told Slade.

“Sid,” Slade called out. “Check on the woman.”

Jared stood guard over the other vampires, still talking on the phone.

Slade knelt down in front of Jill. “Where are you hurt?”

“I’m not,” Jill replied not looking into his eyes. “There were three human men here also.”

“Stop playing Warrior for a minute, and tell me where you’re hurt?” Slade growled helping her to her feet.

“I’m not hurt.” She grimaced, putting weight on her leg. “I’ll be fine in a minute.”

“No, you won’t.” Slade’s eyes narrowed. “And do you know why?”

“I don’t want to talk about this right now.” Jill turned to check on the woman Sid was talking to.

Slade spun her back around. He scooped her up. “I just killed two men. You are going to talk about it, and it’s going to be right now.”

Flashes went off making the alleyway look like a disco dance floor with strobe lights. Reporters swarmed the place taking pictures of everything.

“Is it really against the law for us to kill reporters?” Sid growled as he stood in front of the woman he had been interviewing.

“Sloan is going to be pissed.” Jared frowned.

“What’s new?” Sid flipped off one cameraman with a smile. “Just another day at the office.”

Chapter 16

Pam, Duncan and the others had pulled into the compound when the call came in. Damon gave Nicole a quick kiss before running out the door.

Sloan passed them on his way out, glaring at Duncan. “You coming?” His tone and glare indicated that he expected him to get his ass in gear and in the van.

“No.” His tone was final.

Sloan growled before slamming open the door. “You’re lucky I don’t put you on report.”

“Duncan, please go.” Pam urged him seeing the indecision in his eyes. “I’m fine. They need you. This is your job. It’s what you do.”

Adam had walked out to see what was going on. “Go ahead, man. Me and the others are here. We’ll lock up tight and watch some movies or something.”

“They’ve got this,” Duncan replied, his stubbornness stamped across his face.

Pam let go of his hand. “If you don’t go, I’m leaving.”

“No, you’re not.” He reached for her hand again, but she pulled it away.

“I will not come between your job, and the other Warriors,” Pam replied, just as stubborn. “I’m fine, and if anything happens, someone will call you. Now, go.”

Duncan shot everyone an evil glare as if it was their fault. “Don’t leave the compound.” His eyes softened when they came back around to her.

“Not even a toe out the door.” Pam nodded. “Now go before Sloan does put you on report, whatever that means.”

In front of everyone, he gently grabbed her face, pulling her to him. “I’ll be back soon.” He kissed her softly, his thumbs caressing her cheeks.

“I’ll be here,” she replied when his lips left hers. “Be careful.”

Duncan looked like he wanted to say more, but nodded before he turned running after Sloan and Damon. Stopping, he looked at Adam. “Lock this door. No one comes in.”

“Got it.” Adam followed locking the door behind him.

Pam watched Duncan jump in the van, which took off before he even had the door closed.

“Come on.” Nicole put her arm around her. “You get used to them running off like that. Let’s go find a movie or something. You hungry?”

“No, I’m good,” Pam sighed. “Just want to sit down for a while.”

“Hey, Adam,” Nicole shouted. “Get some popcorn flowing.”

“On it.” Adam grinned. “Come on, Tess. Help me with some drinks.” Tessa and Adam headed toward the kitchen.

“You guys don’t have to babysit me.” Pam rolled her eyes. “I’m a big girl.”

“Honey, we aren’t babysitting you. This is an every night occurrence when our men go out on the job. We stick together until they come home safe.” Nicole ushered her into the game room. “Welcome to the life of being in love with a VC Warrior.”

*****

Slade parked outside the exit door by his new office. Jared had him take the car since Damon, Sloan and Duncan were bringing the van. Walking around, he opened the passenger side door.

“I can walk,” Jill grumbled when he opened the door to pull her out. Slade’s face was stone cold as he reached in plucking her from the car.