Jared (The Protectors #2)(16)

“They were going to turn you into a breeder?” Jared didn’t hide his shock well. “Are you sure about that?”

“Ah, yeah.” Tessa’s lips pinched in a thin irritated line. “A girl doesn’t misunderstand something like that.”

“How did you get away?” Jared’s mood turned darker.

“I was strapped to a table blindfolded. They never left us alone, but Chad got a phone call and took off.” Tessa shrugged her shoulder. “I had an accident when I was younger and can dislocate my shoulder easily. So I did and was able to get that arm out to untie the straps.”

“Can you remember anything else?” Respect vibrated in his voice.

“No, that’s about it.” Tessa sucked at lying, or at least sucked lying to people who knew her and well, he didn’t know her. Thank God, because she still didn’t know who she could trust and until she did her secret would stay under wraps.

“I think we just found a link between the half-breeds.” Damon walked up his arm around Nicole.

“I thought the last name Pride was familiar.” Nicole looked at Tessa. “My co-worker Pam Braxton worked your brother’s case a while back.”

“That’s right.” Tessa nodded remembering Pam. She had been great when Tessa and Adam found themselves in a mess after their mother was killed and their father took off. Pam had fought tooth and nail to keep Adam out of the system and under Tessa’s care. “They wanted to put Adam in foster care, but she fought to keep him with me. She was great.”

Nicole nodded, a frown tilting her mouth down. “It seems she had all of these boys cases at one time or another. Every one of these kids has been through the Social Service Department.”

Jared frowned, cursing under his breath. “Where is she?”

“I tried to call, but it went to voicemail.” Nicole replied, glancing at Damon. “I’m worried. She always has her phone on.”

“Maybe she’s on the line.” Damon soothed pulling her closer. “She’ll call back. If not we’ll head over.”

Nicole nodded, then her eyes narrowed staring behind Jared and Tessa. “Why in the hell are they here?” Nicole hissed pulling away from Damon.

Tessa looked around Jared to see who Nicole was talking about. Walking in the door was four of the most beautiful women Tessa had ever seen. Dressed scantily in fine designer clothes, the women walked in like they owned the place, smiling at anything with a penis. Tessa, not usually one to judge, didn’t like them on sight.

“Now hold on Nicole.” Jared sighed. “These boys need to feed. None of them have fed since being turned. They need pure blood.”

“Feed?” Tessa looked at the women when it suddenly dawned on her. “Ewe. Okay that’s definitely my sign to hit the road.” She picked up her bag.

The women walked past, giving Damon and Jared flirtatious pouty smiles.

One stopped in front of Damon. “Hello Damon. It’s been a while.” Her eyes ran down his body, clearly ignoring his growling mate by his side. “You’re looking delish.”

“You best be moving your ass right on out of here.” Nicole shot forward only to be stopped by Damon. “I’m not the same chick you messed with a while back. I will beat your nasty fanged ass.”

The woman laughed, but hatred flared out of her golden eyes. “You may have golden eyes and fangs honey, but you will never be enough woman for him. He will come back to me.”

Tessa gasped at the woman’s cruel words. Nicole was cursing, trying to get past Damon as the woman stood laughing. Glancing at Jared she saw a beautiful dark haired woman with her hand running up and down his arm as she whispered something in his ear. Hot steaming anger hit her hard and fast. They were just going to stand there and listen to this bullshit.

“Oh, Nicole.” The red headed vampire ran her hand down the front of her own chest to her waist. “Why would he want a woman like you when he can have this?”

Before anyone could say a word Tessa took a step forward. “What? Fake tits and a woman who shops at Hoe’s R Us?” Tessa snorted rolling her eyes. “Honey, they can get that on any street corner. You’re a dime a dozen around here.”

The woman looked Tessa up and down in disgust as if Tessa was a piece of crap on the bottom of her slut pumps. “Who the hell are you?”

“Another human trying to take our men.” The woman draping herself over Jared spat out.

“They wish.” Tessa snorted again feeling Jared’s intense stare.

“Alice, get the f*ck out of here.” Damon picked Nicole up, who was pointing and threatening Alice over his shoulder, and headed toward the door. “You’re here to do a job.”

“You best watch yourself little girl.” The red head named Alice leaned close an evil grin tipping her lips. “Pathetic humans who think they can come in and steal our men can end up in a bad situation.” Turning she walked away, her hips swaying so hard Tessa was surprised she didn’t break one.

“Will I see you tonight?” The dark haired woman undraped herself from Jared touching the cleft in his chin. “I missed you last night.”

Jared gently removed the woman’s hand from his face. “Go on in the back Vicky.”

The woman passed glaring at Tessa “You got something to say?” Tessa threw out as the woman passed. “Yeah, didn’t think so.”