Jared (The Protectors #2)(15)

“They didn’t really seem to care what they said in front of any of us. Adam and the rest were drugged. I wasn’t. I was blindfolded, but could hear everything.”

“I don’t understand why they didn’t change you with them.” Duncan frowned, glancing at them all then down at Tessa who blushed again.

She shrugged her shoulder looking away from them all. “Don’t know.”

“She’s lying.” Damon accused. “Are you in on it with them? Why else would you keep something like that from us?” Damon demanded, his usual scowl planted firmly on his face.

“Because I don’t trust you.” Tessa hissed. “You arrogant son of a b….”

“Whoa there.” Damon’s mate, Nicole, walked into the warehouse stopping in front of Tessa. “That’s my man you’re talking to.”

“My condolences.” Tessa snorted looking around the woman to glare at Damon.

Nicole cocked an eyebrow trying to hide a smile. “What did he do?”

“What do you mean what did I do?” Damon growled stepping up behind his mate. “What makes you think I did anything?”

“Because I know you.” Nicole tossed over her shoulder. “You have a way about you that pisses people off.”

Damon glared at Jared. “What the hell?”

“Don’t look at me, bro.” Jared threw his hands up. “You mated with her.”

Nicole stood staring at Tessa then leaned closer to her even though she knew every vampire in the building could hear what she was about to say. “Trust them. They can be total *s, but they’re the good guys.”

“Why should I trust you?” Tessa eyed the woman wanting to believe her, but didn’t know who to trust. Since this happened trust wasn’t even in her vocabulary anymore.

Nicole flashed her a smile showing fangs, then glanced around her at the warriors. “I really think I’m gonna like her.” Nicole turned back around to stare at Tessa with eyes the golden hue of a vampire. “You need to trust me because if you have to deal with these guys you’re going to want me on your side. I know their weaknesses and I give them more crap than anyone has a right to.”

For the first time since this whole ordeal happened Tessa felt a genuine smile beam across her face. She immediately liked this woman. Glancing at Jared she saw him staring at her, his intense stare puzzled her. “That may come in handy.” Tessa replied pulling her gaze from Jared.

Nicole nodded with a wink. “Oh believe me it will.” Nicole stuck her hand out. “Nicole Callahan, soon to be Mrs. Damon DeMasters.”

Tessa took the woman’s hand. “Tessa Pride.”

Nicole turned toward Damon and Jared with a ‘get with the program’ smile. “You’re welcome.” She told them taking a step back.

“Mrs. Damon DeMasters?” Jared’s widened eyes shot back and forth between Damon and Nicole.

Sticking her hand out, Nicole displayed the diamond rock on her finger. “He’s mine now.” Nicole grinned, happiness glowing from every pore.

Giving Nicole a quick hug and peck on the cheek he turned to Damon slapping him on the back. “Congrats my man.” He grinned, truly happy for his friend. “When’s the big day?”

“I wanted to do it like now.” Nicole frowned. “But Damon wants me to have a real wedding.”

“Which you deserve.” Jared agreed. He watched Duncan and Sid congratulate the couple before his eyes landed on Tessa. She stood by her brother watching, a tiny wistful smile playing at her lips. She was absolutely beautiful with her unguarded expression. He wondered suddenly if she had a man in her life. An unexpected growl rose inside of him at that thought.

Tessa watched from a distance as her brother and the others worked together with the warriors. The woman, Nicole, worked with them also, seeming to really care about the kid’s wellbeing, from where they were going to be staying to making sure they were being treated fair by the warriors. Her opinion of the long haired warrior, Damon, had changed slightly. He was still scary as hell, but his whole personality had changed when Nicole had walked in the room.

Glancing at her phone she sighed. She really wanted to get Bobby’s car back before he left the bar for the night. She so did not want to pull up to his house.

“In a hurry?” Jared smiled down at her.

“Actually I am.” Tessa felt crowded by his presence, his stare was so intense it made her feel cornered with no way out. “I need to get my boss’s car back before the bar closes.”

Glancing at his watch Jared put one hand on the wall where she was leaning resting his weight. “Well as soon as you tell me what you know you can go.”

“Um, I think I did that.” Tessa frowned inching sideways away from him and his delicious smell.

“Um, I don’t think you did.” He tossed back at her, inching his own way closer to her. “What was Chad talking about, they had plans for you? I know you weren’t drugged so you had to have heard something.”

Tessa shot a quick glance at her brother who was watching them, he gave a nod. Glancing back up, she leaned her head against the wall. “They were waiting for something to give me. I don’t know what it was, but from what I could understand I was to be their very own half-breed maker.”