Jared (The Protectors #2)(62)

Tessa didn’t wait for him to answer, but walked away. He had to make his own choices now even if she thought he was making the wrong ones.

********

Jared hated leaving Tessa in bed alone, but it was noon and he couldn’t put his responsibilities any longer. Walking into the main room he groaned. Levi making his way inside looking at his watch. Maybe, just maybe if he stopped Levi wouldn’t notice him.

“Where’s the little human?” Levi spotted him then looked around.

Seemed like this day was going to start out in the shitter. “What are you doing here?” He continued to walk past him, ignoring his interest in Tessa. He knew Levi and knew the * just wanted to get him fired up.

Levi glanced down the hall he had been heading to a half grin tilted his lips before he wiped it away. “Didn’t Sloan text you?”

Jared stopped. “No.” He looked at his phone to double check.

“We have a meeting in about...” Levi glanced at his watch “two minutes. We’re meeting in the pool room.”

Suspicion brightened Jared’s eyes. The only purpose for the pool room was for them to unwind away from their work by shooting pool or watching the large screen TV. “We never have meetings in the pool room.”

“Hey, that’s what my text says.” Levi held up his phone offering it to Jared.

Jared hesitated for a second before turning and heading toward the pool room. Hearing footsteps coming from the opposite direction Levi looked that way. An evil grin played across his lips as Tessa rounded the corner. “Easier than I ever thought. Must be my lucky day.”

********

Making it to the main room, Tessa sighed. She always got lost in this damn place. Seeing Levi she groaned, but kept moving forward.

“You lost?” He cocked his eyebrow giving her a friendly smile.

Tessa eyed him for a second wondering what was going on. This guy had never hid the fact he didn’t like her and she knew a fake smile when she was flashed one. “I’m going to see my grandfather and I get turned around in here.” Tessa replied, unease in the pit of her stomach.

“Your grandfather is a delightful man.” Levi said with his fake smile still in place. “He’s down that hall, third door on the right.”

“Thanks.” Tessa eyed him still wondering what was up. “Well, that was odd.” She murmured to herself.

Counting the doors she thought the area looked familiar. Finding the third door closed she quietly opened it not wanting to wake him if he was napping. Peeking in, her heart dropped to her stomach with such painful force she took a step back. Inside, against the pool table was Jared bent over a woman, her hands clawing at his back. Stunned, Tessa backed away letting the door close quietly. Shocked and hurt beyond belief she made her way back the way she came only to come face to face with Levi.

“What’s wrong?” It was evident by the cocky smirk he knew exactly what was wrong. “Didn’t you find him?”

The familiar heat of humiliation burned through her body. She knew what he had done. He had sent her to that room for the purpose of hurting her and damn him, it worked. “Why do you hate me so much?”

Her question set him back, the grin faded. “It’s nothing personal.” His eyes narrowed. Tessa forced herself to give him a small smile. “That was as personal as it gets *.” Not wanting to stick around any longer she turned, walked out the door with her head held high. Inside she had died, on the outside she was steel.

********

Jared pushed Vicky away wiping his mouth. “Shit.” His gaze landed on her neck. “Damn Vicky, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so rough.”

“You shouldn’t wait so long to feed.” She took the bar towel he handed her to clean up with.

He answered with a nod, his eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here?”

“Levi called saying he needed to feed and to show up here.” Vicky gave him her sexy smile. “Damn glad I did. I’ve missed you Jared.” Her full lips went from sexy to pouty in a second flat.

Stopping her hands from pulling up his shirt, he frowned down at her. “Since when has Levi been feeding from you?”

“Jealous?” She tried to pull her hands away, but he held tight. “You know you’re my fave.”

“Answer the question.” His tone was hard, indicating he wasn’t playing.

“This is the first time he requested me.” Vicky frowned. “Now stop talking. I’ve missed you.”

Jared watched Vicky slowly unbutton her shirt. She was a sexy beautiful woman no doubt, but he felt absolutely nothing for her. “Stop.” He growled, grabbing her hands to keep her from stripping off her shirt. “It’s not going to happen.”

Anger flashed across her face until she saw him, really saw him. “It’s the redhead.” She quickly re-buttoned her shirt. When he didn’t answer, she smiled. “Oh my God! The famed Warrior Jared Kincaid is whooped.”

Cocking an eyebrow at her, he crossed his arms across his chest. “Whooped?”

“Yeah, whooped.” Vicky laughed. “You know I should be pissed, but I’m not. I like her.”

“Do you now?” His eyebrow rose higher indicating he thought she was full of it and lying through her pretty white teeth.

“Yeah, I do.” Vicky paused, her brow wrinkled in thought. “She’s scrappy.”