Slade (The Protectors #6)(50)

He watched Caroline’s hand hover over the lock button before she finally hit it, unlocking the door and slowing down, but he didn’t wait. He opened the door and swung himself in, slamming the door shut…hard. “Pull the goddamn car over.”

“Get out of my goddamn car,” Caroline shouted, swiping tears away. “Or I’m going to call the police.”

“I am the police…more or less, and I’m pulling you over for about ten driving violations.” Jax growled, and grabbed the steering wheel as he kicked his leg over, moving hers out of the way to control the gas and brake.

Caroline smacked at his arm. “What are you doing?” She smacked again, her eyes frantically looking for danger of being hit. “You’re going to kill us.”

“Oh, that’s classic.” Jax pulled into an empty parking lot, slammed the car in park and took the keys. “You almost got t-boned back there running a red light. Jesus, Caroline, you could have been seriously hurt.”

“Like you would give a shit. Now, give me my keys.” Caroline snatched at them, but he pulled them away. “Fine.” She got out of the car and started walking.

Jax got out, jumping in front of her. “Listen, I’m sorry and yes, I would give a shit if you got hurt.”

“You’re sorry?” Caroline snorted, swiping at a tear. “Well, I don’t accept. And honestly, I don’t even know why I care what you think about me so much. I must have brain damage from Rod, which I probably deserved, in your demented mind.” She threw that at him, flipping him off again.

“Will you stop flipping me off and listen,” Jax sighed, grabbing her arm to stop her. “I didn’t mean what I said. I was wrong to say that, Caroline. I would never lift a hand toward you in anger and I absolutely don’t think it was right that he did. I even made damn sure he would never do it again.”

Her body was still turned away from him, listening, but his last sentence made her turn around. “What did you do?” she whispered, but still eyed him with distrust.

He shook his head. “I didn’t kill him if that’s what you’re thinking. I wanted to, but just believe me when I say after Sid and I were finished with him, he won’t ever bother you again.”

Looking away from him, she nodded. “Thank you.” Holding her hand out toward him, she sighed, “Now, can I have my keys back so I can leave?”

His phone rang as he answered her, “No.”

Caroline dropped her hand, gave him an evil glare, her face red with anger as she passed him to lean against her car.

“What?” Jax growled into his phone. “Yeah. No, she’s fine. Just take the Nissan back to the compound for me, okay, Sid. Yeah, that’s it on the median. Dammit, I said she’s fine.” He hung up.

“Why can’t I have my keys, Jax?” Caroline gave him a sideways glance.

“Because I want to talk to you…” Jax swallowed, looking away, “about my sister.”

Chapter 15

“Oh, shit’s gonna hit the fan.” Jared glanced at Slade with a grimace as Jill and Dillon walked into Sloan’s office, laughing.

Leaning against the wall, Slade glanced up then away.

“You get his feet and I’ll take his arms.” Sid acted like he was ready to pounce.

Slade closed his eyes briefly, keeping control; he had to keep control. Sid and Jared weren’t making it easy, the f*ckers.

“Do you have a f*cking phone?” Sloan’s voice boomed, making Jill jump.

“Ah, who me?” When Sloan just stared at her and Dillon, Jill nodded. “But I was driving and didn’t get the group message until we were almost here.”

“I sent the message an hour ago.” Sloan still stared between the two.

“Well, I was driving and, ah…” Jill’s eyes went to Dillon for help.

“And we stopped for some pizza,” he added, nodding toward Jill.

“Pizza?” Steve frowned. “Well, thanks a lot for asking, *s. I want pizza.”

Sloan rubbed his forehead as if trying to scrub his frustration away.

“Just makes you want to scream, don’t it?” Sid leaned toward Sloan, but was shaking his head at Jill and Dillon.

“I’m going to remove my hand, and when I do, you better be away from me, Sid,” Sloan warned.

“Done.” Sid nodded, straightened up and moved a step away.

Sloan did remove his hand, but his eyes zeroed in on Jill. “You stripper ready?”

“Ah, that’s an odd way to…” Jill stopped, nodded and cleared her throat when he sneered at her. “Yes, I think so.”

“What the f*ck do you mean, ‘you think so’? Either you’re ready or you’re not.” Sloan looked at Slade. “Is she ready?”

“Yes, she’s ready.” Slade did his best to keep the growl out of his voice and sneer off his face.

“Well, she better be. Tomorrow night is the night.” Sloan rummaged around his desk. Finally finding what he was looking for, he handed Slade a picture. “This is the mark. His name is George Groper.”

Sid opened his mouth, shook his head and looked at Sloan. “Seriously?” Sid ignored Sloan’s glare. “I’m sorry, but how classic is that. I mean, we are doing a sting in a strip club and the mark’s name is George Groper. Nobody could write this shit.”