Jared (The Protectors #2)(27)
“It’s my job to watch out for innocents.” Jared stated without blinking an eye. “Don’t want to hurt your feelings, but until we know which way you’re going to go you’ve got a buddy with you.”
“I’m not even close to going rogue.” Adam replied his one golden eye turning dark. “But I am about to rage on you if you don’t get out of my way.”
“Give it your best shot kid.” Jared taunted, his eyes burning a little darker. Some deep dark place wanted to see what this half-breed had. He knew Adam hadn’t come into his full power yet, but he was curious to what this kid could do when pushed.
Tessa pointed a chicken leg at them both. “If you even think about fighting in my kitchen, well let’s just say you haven’t seen anyone rage like a red head.”
Jared felt a grin tip his lips and noticed Adam was having a hard time keeping a straight face. “What? You think you can take on two vampires sis?”
“If I have to…yes.” She answered honestly, dropping the chicken leg. “I don’t want you guys fighting.”
They both backed down eyeing each other, but Adam spoke first. “Then please tell this guy that I have yet to kill a single soul in this town. Even the * sheriff can vouch for that.”
“It’s true.” Tessa replied, then grinned trying again to lighten the mood. “Not one death. Oh, well, we still don’t know what happened to Ms. Shoemaker’s cat, Bitsy.”
“Okay. Okay.” Adam threw his hands up in the air. “I got a little hungry and went on a rage killing Bitsy in the back alley of Pop’s Barbershop.”
Jill slapped her hand over her mouth covering her giggle.
Tessa looked up at Jared. “Let him go. It’s just right down the hill.” She smiled, her green eyes pleading.
The smile did him in…dammit. How in the hell could he say no to that smile. “What’s your cell phone number?” Adam rattled it off as Jared called it. Adam programmed Jared’s number in his cell. “You have a half an hour before I come looking for you.”
“I swear I’ll call if I get any urges to kill anything bigger than a cat.” Adam ruffled the top of Tessa’s hair like he was the older of the two then headed out the door before Jared could change his mind.
“He’s a good kid.” Tessa turned to look at Jared.
“He’s a smartass.” Jared grumbled. Hell, he was really starting to like the damn kid and that always made killing someone so much harder.
Nodding, Tessa grabbed the dirty plates from the table. “Definitely a smartass.”
“I heard that.” Adam called from the front porch.
Jared watched as she stared after Adam with a sad smile, but fear was clearly evident on her face. “Hey, you okay?”
“What are the chances of him going….you know?” Tessa looked at Jared a silent plea in her eyes. “Rogue or raging or whatever you call it.”
Jared stared down at the beautiful woman hating the fear in her eyes, but hating more the fact that he may be the one who had to put her brother down. “I seriously don’t know.” Jared didn’t blink. “It differs from one to the other. He hasn’t reached his maximum potential as a half-breed yet, but should soon. Then we will know.”
“And if he does, you have to kill him? There is nothing he can do or take to make it not happen.” She knew she was grasping at anything, but she had to try. When he just shook his head not answering her she asked the question she really didn’t want the answer to, but had to ask. “Will he turn on me?”
“If he goes rogue….yes.” Jared frowned hoping that wasn’t the case. He really didn’t want to see this woman suffer in any capacity. “I’m sorry.”
A sob drew their attention. “Oh honey.” Tessa hurried over to Jill, whose one golden eye leaked a red tear, grabbing her in a tight hug. “It’s going to be okay. Jared and the others are going to take care of you.”
“I don’t want to die.” Jill’s muffled voice tore through the room. Her eyes met Jared’s over Tessa’s shoulder. “Please help us.”
Her repeated plea sent rage surging through Jared, he was about to explode with it. When he caught the son of a bitch responsible for this tragedy he was going make him pay dearly.
Chapter 12
Adam walked down the hill into town. The nights were getting cooler, but it didn’t bother him. His white plain t-shirt and faded blue jeans suited him fine. Arriving at the Tasty Treat he opened the door and walked in feeling the stares he was getting used to. With a nod to Fred, who owned the place, Adam headed to the back table, his table. With his back to the wall he sat facing the diner as everyone slowly went back to their own meals and conversation. He knew most everyone in the place, but they all looked at him with fear, at least the ones who would look him in the eye.
“Hi Adam.” And there was the voice he would walk through Hell for. Slowly his gaze moved up to the biggest blue eyes he had ever seen and the stress of the past few days slipped away. The color of her eyes reminded him of a robin’s egg. Her pale blonde hair was pulled back in a sloppy ponytail with a few stray wisps straying to tip her long eyelashes. God she was beautiful.
“How you doing, Angel?” He grinned when she blushed. Her name was Angelina, but he shortened it to Angel, his Angel.