Jared (The Protectors #2)(39)
“Die.” He replied a smug grin on his face. “Yeah, I know, but that isn’t going to happen. What is going to happen after I smash you to pieces I’m going to have her.”
Jared didn’t even reply, kept calm actually. Duncan and Sid were in his head keeping him calm. The last thing he wanted to do was show weakness where Tessa was concerned. Yeah, deadly control was key.
The half-breed leaned slightly closer with a low chuckle. “Wonder if she’s a real red head?” His eyes shot up to the Ferris Wheel with obvious lust before landing back on Jared and with just a wink he sealed his death. “I’ll be sure to keep you alive long enough to let you know.”
Jared’s deadly control went to hell as he leaped at the half-breed with the warriors following his lead. It was about to get ugly.
Chapter 17
“Come on!” Nicole climbed out of the basket. “Get on my back.”
“Get on your what?” Tessa stopped cold.
“Tessa get on my back before I knock you out. We need to get out of here. Damon and Jared are in my head screaming for me to get us out of here.”
“But my grandfather.” Tessa looked back down trying to find him.
“Is fine. Sid and Adam have him in a safe place.” Nicole turned to look at Tessa her eyes black as night. “Now come on. We need to get out of here.”
Knowing she was right Tessa didn’t hesitate any longer. Climbing on she wrapped her legs around Nicole’s waist with her arms wrapped around her neck without choking her.
“I’ve never done this before with someone on my back so hold on tight.” Nicole waited until Tessa’s weight was settled on her back.
“Oh. My. God.” Tessa closed her eyes as they jumped, her stomach staying back up in the basket. They hit the ground hard, Nicole hissing out a moan. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just twisted my leg. I’m fine.” Nicole grabbed her hand pulling her between booths toward the woods.
Making their way into the wooded area Nicole stopped holding her finger to her lips as she scanned the field they had just run through. Tessa bent over hands on her knees trying to catch her breath.
“You have anything on under your hoodie?” Nicole asked, but her eyes narrowed on something Tessa couldn’t see. When Tessa just glanced at her in confusion Nicole grabbed her arm. “Come on Tessa, snap out of it. Do you have anything under the damn hoodie?”
“Yeah why, what’s going on?” She tried to keep the fear out of her voice, but she was really scared now and couldn’t hide it.
“We’re being tracked. Take off your hoodie.” Nicole pulled them deeper into the woods. Tessa did as she was told quickly handing Nicole her hoodie. “I want you to run as far as you can and hide.” She slipped Tessa’s hoodie on.
Thinking of all the scary movies she had watched, Tessa frowned. Splitting up never bode well for anyone in those damn movies she swore she would never ever watch again. Then again maybe they would save her life. Why in the hell did she keep thinking of scary freakin movies?
“You sure we should split up.” Tessa rubbed her arms as the cool night air seeped into her bones, her thin tank top doing nothing to keep the coldness away. Then again it could be fear that was making her shiver.
“No.” Nicole breathed out in a rush. “But Damon is not answering me at the moment and I can’t carry you. My leg isn’t healing as fast as I thought it would and hurts like hell. They’re tracking your scent so if I wear your hoodie I am praying they’ll follow me. Once I lose them I’ll come back and find you. I’ll give a whistle so you know it’s me.”
“Please be careful.” Tessa wanted to totally freak out and have a full blown panic attack, but fought those feelings. She had to be strong. They would make it through this. “How close are they?” Tessa felt like eyes were watching them right now.
Nicole’s stricken expression was answer enough. “Go!” She pushed Tessa as she took off in a different direction.
Tessa didn’t hesitate, she took off as fast as her legs would carry her. Jumping fallen logs, rocks and anything else in her path, Tessa felt the sting of brush and limps cutting into her flesh. If the ones chasing them smelled her blood it was going to be over, at least for her. Being more careful Tessa tried to miss low hanging limbs and thick brush, but it was almost impossible.
Spotting a large tree Tessa stumbled toward it grabbing onto its thick trunk like a lifeline. Turning she placed her back against it trying to get her breathing under control. Glancing down at herself she cringed. She was a bloody mess and her feet felt like a thousand bee stings. Throwing her shoes didn’t seem like a good idea now.
Turning her focus away from her injuries, she tried to calm herself enough to listen. The only sounds coming from the area was rustling leaves above, small scampering sounds of wildlife going on with their nightly doings and her shallow gasps of nervous breathing. Swallowing was a chore, her throat raw from breathing the cool air. Taking a peek around the tree she didn’t see anyone coming, nor did she hear heavy sounds of footsteps. Sliding slowly down the tree she sat on the cold damp ground. A wispy fog swirled along the wooded ground casting a creepy feel to the air. She had never felt more vulnerable in her life than she did at the moment. Spotting a large log next to her she reached over rolling it to her. Kneeling, she picked it up deciding it could make a weapon, at least it was something.