Jared (The Protectors #2)(37)

Looking over the railing Tessa watched half-breeds fall in behind a large man who was walking toward the Ferris Wheel. Chills like she had never felt before chased up and down her body. Jared pushed her back further in the basket.

“I know you’re here, but if you want to play then I can play too.” His voice boomed across the suddenly quiet fairgrounds.

Tessa saw a familiar figure being pushed toward the front of the group. “Gramps!” Tessa cried out almost falling out of the basket.

Jared cursed, grabbing her around the waist to hold her back. The large half-breed’s eyes zeroed in on the movement, on Tessa. “There you are.” His smiled turned to evil glee. “Come on down here Tessa.”

Looking up at Damon something passed between the two warriors, but all Tessa could do was stare in horror at her grandfather who looked so frail and frightened. “Please Jared.” She struggled to get away from him.

“Don’t even try it warriors.” The half-breed in charge and the one calling for Tessa growled. “I will kill him with no remorse.”

“What do you want?” Jared snarled down at him.

The half-breeds cold laughter echoed throughout the grounds before his mismatched eyes shot to Tessa. “My mate.”

Chapter 16

“I hope to f*ck he said plate.” Sid sighed shaking his head when Jared growled deep and loud. “And my hopes are dashed.”

Never had Jared felt more rage then he did at that moment. It stormed through his body making him want to leap to the ground and kill the half-breed, but his training stopped him.

“Where in the hell is our back up?” Jared scanned the area below, but only saw half-breeds and they were way outnumbered.

“On their way.” Sid poised outside the basket. “I’m good for about three…maybe four of those ugly ass bastards.”

“You go for her grandfather.” Jared looked up at Damon and the rest sending them quick messages. When they all nodded he looked down at Tessa whose frightened eyes looked back to his. “Listen to Nicole.”

“What do you mean listen to Nicole? What are you doing?” Tessa clung to his arm a little tighter. Looking back at the crowd under them all she saw was mismatched eyes staring up at them. “You can’t go down there. It’s suicide.”

“It’s what I do.” He pulled her a little closer to him leaning close. “Stay with Nicole until I can get back to you. She knows what to do.”

“There has to be another way.” Tessa glanced at her Gramps and knew in her heart that if she wanted to see her grandfather again this was going to be the only way. “Let me go. He wants me, then you can get my grandfather.”

His growl was low, but deep. “Never would I hand you over to anyone.” His eyes turned blacker if that was even possible. With everything that was about to come down, a smile tipped his lips. “Trust me.”

Tessa’s heart beat a quick tempo in her chest. Her instinct fought for control, but her heart won out and she nodded. “I trust you.”

“Stay safe.” And with a wink he flipped out of the basket to the ground in one fluid movement, his focus on what had to be done. He didn’t even flinch as Sid, Damon, Steve, Adam and Jill landed by his side. As a unit they moved forward.

“You got a plan?” Sid eyed Gramps who stood to the left of him. Only one half-breed stationed by his side.

“Yeah…win.” Jared’s eyes swept the enemy assessing the situation. It didn’t look good.

Damon nodded. “Good plan.”

Sid snorted shaking his head. “I love this shit.”

Adam glanced over at Sid. “Are you crazy?”

“Oh yeah.” Sid grinned. “Just wait. You’re about to get as crazy as me.”

The cocking of a shotgun turned everyone’s attention. “Thought you all might need a little help.” Sheriff Otis Bowman stepped up beside them. “Seems you’re a little outnumbered.”

“Guess you got silver bullets in that shotgun?” Sid rolled his eyes.

“Hell ya.” The sheriff spat out. “Don’t use anything else.”

“Silver don’t faze us.” Adam said looking toward his grandfather. Even though he hated the sheriff he knew they needed help.

“But I thought silver was deadly for your kind.”

“Not for half-breeds.” Adam sneered. “Guess you’ll have to find another way to kill our kind.”

“Listen Adam, it’s nothing personal….”

“The hell it ain’t.” Adam eyed the sheriff as they made their way closer to the crowd of half-breeds. “You hurt her, you son of a bitch.”

“I’m trying to make it right.” The sheriff sighed. “I’m going to make it right.”

“You go near my sister and I’ll….” Adam went to go after the sheriff, but Jared stopped him.

“Both of you shut the f*ck up.” Jared hissed, tossing Adam back a step without stopping. “Deal with this shit after we take care of our current problem.”

Even though Jared wanted to beat the hell out of the sheriff, at the moment his training had kicked in and his focus was dead on. His current threat stood waiting in front of him. He’d deal with the * sheriff later. Right now he needed to keep the innocent safe. That was their job and he was the best.