Slade (The Protectors #6)(32)

Slade heard it all, but didn’t take his eyes off Sloan. “Are you done testing me?” Slade growled, wanting to rip Sloan’s head off. “Can I check these guys out to make sure they’re okay?”

Sloan nodded, but Slade could tell he was still being watched closely. Turning, his eyes scanned Jill quickly and he was relieved to see her sitting up. Adam was sitting down being quiet, but he was also looking at Jill.

“Hurts like a bitch, don’t it,” Adam called over to Jill.

“Can you stand up?” Slade asked, trying his best to keep his eyes off Jill and focus on Adam. If he went to Jill first, then Sloan would open his mouth and shit would get bad, real bad.

“Nice shot,” Adam grinned, standing. “How the hell did you know I was behind you?”

“Just a feeling,” Slade responded, prying Adam’s human eye open. “You have a headache?”

Adam nodded. “A little.”

Slade looked him over noticing the black paint all over him. He pushed on the red lump on Adam’s forehead where he had shot him. Adam winched, but didn’t move his head. “You’ll live.” Slade clapped him on the shoulder. “Good job today.”

“I died.” Adam looked confused and disgusted. “I failed.”

“But you stayed alive until the end.” Slade turned away. “And you gave up your life for a teammate. You get points for that.”

Heading toward Jill, who was standing up but had her eyes closed and arms crossed, he stopped in front of her. “You okay?”

Jill slit her eyes open to squint up at him. She went to nod but stopped with a hiss. “Yeah. I’m good.”

Slade snorted when she closed her eyes again. “You dizzy?” He reached up touching the large bump on her forehead.

“No.” She stated her lie as she jumped at his touch, almost losing her balance. “A little.”

“Headache?” Slade moved her head back and forth, working her neck.

“Yes.” She kept her eyes closed. “But I’m fine. Just need a minute.”

“Sit down and stay put.” Slade helped her sit before turning toward Dillon, but Jax with his pink splattered hair was in his line of vision. “You good?” he asked Jax, trying to keep the grin off his face. That had been a proud moment when he saw the back of Jax’s head explode in bright pink. That was a hell of a shot.

“I’m fine.” Jax gave him a sideways glance. “Go doctor one of these other pussies.”

Slade did grin then as he passed him and went toward Dillon who waved him away.

“I didn’t get hit close up. It barely stung,” Dillon told him as he felt his head, “and I don’t really have a bump.”

Looking toward Steve, who had the biggest grin on his face, Slade shook his head. Out of any of the half-breeds, Steve was the last one he’d pick to survive this test, though he would have never told Steve that. “Good job, Steve,” Slade nodded.

The rest of the Warriors followed suit, congratulating Steve.

Steve soaked it in for a few minutes looking proud of himself, but then he looked to his teammates. “Honestly, I wouldn’t have done it without my dudes and dudette.” Steve smiled at each of them. “I was about to piss myself when you all had me cornered, but with their help, I was able to get out and then the horn sounded.”

“We didn’t do much, Steve.” Jill’s voice sounded tired, but happy for her friend. “You earned it.”

“No, it all turned in my favor when you shot Jax in the head. Great f*cking shot by the way,” Steve grinned, heading toward Jill to give her a high five when he spotted the look Jax was giving him. His hand dropped to his side real quick. “Ah, I mean…well anyway, thanks, guys.”

Even with Slade’s dangerous mood, he couldn’t help but grin at Steve. This poor kid just didn’t know when to shut the f*ck up.

“You guys did pretty good,” Sloan said, looking at each of them. “You lasted longer than we thought you would. Jax and Slade will go over everything with you tomorrow. Go get cleaned up and get some rest.”

Slade held back as everyone left the area to head out. His gaze watched Jill, making sure she was steady on her feet. He started to go to her when she stumbled, but Dillon was at her side giving her a hand, a hand Slade wanted to snap off and shove up his ass. Feeling Sloan staring at the side of his head, Slade sneered his way, “You got something to say to me?”

“Not yet,” Sloan’s voice was even. “You got something to say to me?”

“Yeah, I do.” Slade turned to look him square in the eye. “I respect the hell out of you and always have, but if you ever hurt her again to make a point to me, I will kill you.”

Slade didn’t even wait for a response, he just turned and followed the rest. As he watched Jill and the little f*cker, Dillon, who he honestly had nothing against except his hand on Jill, Slade knew he was in deep shit. He also knew that he and Jill would happen. They’d already happened, yet he totally f*cked that up, but as soon as her initiation into the Warriors was complete, she was his and no one better have a problem with it.

“Maybe Jax was right,” Sloan called out behind him. “She’s a liability.”

Slade slowed, but didn’t stop. “Jax is an *,” Slade responded. “You’d be a fool to let her go, Sloan, and you know it.” Not sticking around to hear what else Sloan had to say, Slade took off. His eyes instantly going to Jill who was a few yards ahead of him, a thought hit him right in the gut. He’d be a bigger fool to let her go. Son of a bitch, this was a mess.