Jared (The Protectors #2)(6)
“Why didn’t you say that in the first place?” Nicole grumbled.
“For shit shake Callahan. Your mouth is like a duck’s ass sprouting shit everywhere.” Mitch stood up shaking his head. “What do you guys need from us?”
“Inquire if there has been an increase in vampire adoption of older human kids between the ages of 14 and 17. We’re not even sure if there is more than one, but one we’re sure of.” Duncan replied glancing at Pam. “Anything that sounds out of the ordinary, let us know. All half-breeds have one human eye and one golden eye of a vampire. It seems the kid that broke Chad out is the only one we know of for sure.”
“Broke him out?” Pam piped in.
“He and a woman came in while Jared was interrogating Chad.” Duncan answered when Sid chuckled.
“Fuck you Sid.” Jared growled.
“Well, it isn’t every day you see the mighty warrior Jared tied to a chair by a little woman in a baseball cap and sunglasses.” Sid snorted.
Before Jared could make a comment Duncan’s cell rang. After a few seconds and a few words he hung up. “Got ‘em.”
Jared’s grin was evil in a happy sort of way. “Now the mighty warrior Jared gets his revenge.”
Chapter 3
Tessa found her grandfather sitting at a table in the rec room of the nursing home. Every once in a while he would talk, but as time went by less words were spoken and it broke her heart. Alzheimer’s was a cruel disease. It took loved ones far away, yet they were right in front of you. Sometimes just looking into his kind eyes she could see him, just knew he was in there somewhere, but then the vacant stare would glaze over those eyes that had watched over her and her brother when things got tough at home.
“Sorry I’m late Gramps.” Tessa sat everything down before pulling a chair closer to him. Opening the McDonalds bag she pulled out a napkin spreading it across the table. Taking a peek at him to gage his mood, she smiled when she caught him staring at her. “Do I have something on my nose?” She teased.
His smile spread wide as he tapped her nose gently with a laugh.
“I see you’re having a good day.” Tessa chuckled along with him as she pulled out his large order of fries. She watched as he grabbed one holding it up to her mouth. It was the same thing every day and had been for the past six months. Before she could take a bite he pulled it away and plopped it in his own mouth. “Hey!” Her mouth turned down in her fake frown face which made him laugh loudly drawing everyone’s attention.
“I see he got you again.” Tammy Sims, one of the nurses chuckled as she passed them. “He’s a trickster.”
“Yes, he is.” Tessa grinned. This time when he held a fry up to her he let her have it. “Thank you. Now you eat those, okay.” McDonalds fries were the only thing she and the doctors at the nursing home could get him to eat. At least three times a week or more he had to get fed through feeding tubes so he could get his nourishment. He recovered from the stroke he suffered a year ago only to have onset of Alzheimer’s devastate his mind. He had always been her rock and her heart hurt watching him lose more of himself every day.
It had killed both her and Adam when they came to the realization they couldn’t take care of him anymore. He had always taken care of them and they had felt so guilty when they had to let him go and take him somewhere experienced people could take care of him properly.
Tessa was surprised when he gently took one finger to her mouth to raise the corner in a half smile which made a larger smile curl her lips. His eyes, which were more vacant than not, were alert now. “You rascal. I know you’re in there somewhere.” Tessa hugged him. “I miss you.” She whispered softly in his ear before pulling away.
“Hey big guy.” Mark Peterson walked up patting him on the shoulder. “You ready to get handsome for the ladies?”
Tessa smiled. Mark worked nights with the male patients helping them shower and clean themselves. He was great with her grandfather. “Hey Mark. How’s Julie and the baby?”
“Julie’s great. Motherhood agrees with her.” Mark grinned, pride radiating from him like a beaming light. “Little Mark is growing like a weed.”
“Well, tell her I said hello.” Tessa stood gathering the empty McDonalds bag, cleaning up. “Whenever you two need a night out don’t forget to call me. I would love to babysit.”
“I sure will, but I don’t think I could get her away from the little guy long enough to do anything.” Mark laughed as he helped her grandfather to his feet.
Tessa threw the garbage away then went to hug her grandfather. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She hugged him tight. “Don’t break too many hearts, ya hear?” As she pulled away he clasped her face between his large hands staring deeply into her eyes, sadness and something else shadowed in their depth before he let her go.
“I love you Gramps.” Tessa stood still waiting patiently. Every once in while he would speak and she loved the sound of his voice, the voice that had calmed her as a child. She yearned for that voice. He once again pulled her into his tight embrace before patting her cheek. This time his huge smile reached his eyes and made her day much brighter because that was his way to say he loved her too.
Heading out of the nursing home Tessa groaned. Mr. Weston was buzzing his wheelchair towards her, bless his old soul.