Duncan (The Protectors #3)(71)

“Never,” Pam replied with a sigh of pure happiness.

Chapter 28

Everyone sat in the games room, wrapping paper scattered everywhere. The Christmas tree sat in the corner, lights and ornaments twinkling festively. Pam held Daniel who was growing quickly, but not as quickly as they were afraid of. Slade was keeping a close eye on him. The only effects so far of Pam’s being a half-breed was that he healed more quickly than a human did.

Her eyes roamed the room landing on Duncan who stood talking to Damon, but his eyes were watching her. She grinned at him; he winked back.

Jill was still recovering from her gunshot wound. None of them could tell if there was something between her and Slade. Time would tell, although Pam had her suspicions from the furtive glances they cast at one another when they thought no one was watching.

“Can I hold him?” Tessa sat down next to Pam.

“You sure can.” Pam handed Daniel over to her. “So what did Jared get you for Christmas?”

Nicole heard and sat down across from them. “Yeah, what did Jared get you?”

Tessa looked up at Jared, who was staring at her. “Nothing yet.”

Pam frowned. “Don’t tell me you guys are still fighting?”

“No, it’s not that.” Tessa smiled, her face had fading bruises from Kenny’s abusive hand. “He doesn’t want to give me what I want.”

“And what’s that?” Nicole glared at Jared. “I know what these Warriors are worth and if he’s being a tight ass, then I’ll-”

“I want him to change me.” Tessa cut her off, handing Daniel to Nicole. “And he doesn’t want to.”

“Oh, ah…” Nicole looked at Pam, wide-eyed at a loss of what to say.

“Well, Christmas isn’t over yet,” Pam added. Nicole rolled her eyes at her. Well at least it was better than ‘oh, ah’ Pam thought.

“What did you guys get?” Tessa changed the subject.

“Damon got me a new coat and a few other things.” Nicole grinned. “I didn’t want much because I want to work on finding a house.”

“What did you get, Pam?” Nicole nodded toward her.

“A wedding.” Pam grinned when they both just stared at her. When her words finally sunk in, both women screamed, scaring poor Daniel, making him scream right along with them.

“They give me a heart attack every time they do that,” Jared cursed, watching the women hugging each other. “What the hell is going on over there?”

“Guess Pam told them what I gave her for Christmas.” Duncan grinned, taking a long swig of beer.

“And?” Jared glanced at Damon with raised eyebrows, then looked back to Duncan. “Can you share?”

“Yeah.” Duncan laughed. “A wedding.”

Everyone was quiet until an earsplitting scream echoed in the room. Sid placed his hands on his face, and then cut the scream off. “Sorry, just couldn’t help it.” He raised his beer to Duncan. “Congrats, bro. Really,” he added before walking off.

“He’s just not right,” Jared sighed before grinning at Duncan. “Congrats, my man. When’s the big day?”

“March 18,” Duncan replied, still grinning from ear-to-ear.

“I’m happy for you, Duncan.” Damon slapped him on the back. “You guys deserve to be happy.”

Jared glanced over watching the women talk, but noticed that Tessa was a little more subdued. Putting his beer on the bar, he headed over by the women. “I hear congratulations are in order.” He leaned down kissing Pam on the cheek.

“Thanks.” Pam smiled.

“Now, may I steal my lady away from you for a few minutes?” Jared grabbed Tessa’s hand, leading her out of the room and into another one. Closing the door, he turned. “Hey.”

“Hey,” she answered back with a blush.

“Are you okay?” Jared brushed her hair off her cheek, loving the pink blush the crept across her skin

“Yeah, why?”

“I haven’t forgotten your Christmas present, babe.” Jared rubbed her cheek with his thumb. When she didn’t say anything, he sighed. “You know I love you more than anything in this world.”

Tessa frowned. “Yes, I know.”

“No, I don’t think you do.” Jared looked away. “If I was to change you and something happened, something went wrong, I couldn’t handle it. I’m not willing to take that chance with your life.” He hated the look of hurt and disappointment that she desperately tried to hide from her face. But the thought of losing her was simply too much.

“It’s okay.” Tessa tried to smile. “I understand.”

“I’m not going to feed from Vicky anymore,” Jared reassured her. “And I’m going to talk to Slade about our situation.”

“It’s not really about Vicky.” When she saw his knowing frown, she sighed. “Okay, it is a little bit about Vicky, but I want to be the one to give you what you need. Why can’t you understand that? You could feed from a little old man, and I’d still feel that I wasn’t giving you what you need.”

“I have to feed, Tessa.”

“I know that, Jared.” Tessa calmed herself, knowing that getting heated wasn’t going to help the situation. “But more than anything, I want my blood to be enough for you.”