Slade (The Protectors #6)(84)

Alice picked up something off the ground, throwing it at Jill who flinched, giving Alice the opportunity to take her down. Alice got a few good hits on Jill, but Jill swept her foot, rolling so she was on top of Alice. Jill unleashed her rage, but then stopped, climbing off Alice and stood. “Get up!” Jill demanded.

Alice stood, wiping blood from her nose. “You are nothing, breed.” Alice took another swing and missed.

“Can’t you come up with something different than breed? Be a little more creative because breed is not an insult to me,” Jill taunted before punching out, hitting Alice in the jaw. “At least I mixed it up, you stupid slut.”

Alice screamed, running at Jill who grabbed her arm and threw her to the ground. Jill reached over and snatched a piece of glass from the broken window, holding it at Alice’s throat. “You don’t even know how badly I want to slit your throat right now,” Jill sneered, pressing the glass deeper. “If these Warriors didn’t need their vengeance on you, I would kill you with no remorse.” Jill tossed the glass away, then brought her fist back across Alice’s head. Using her hand, she pushed up off Alice’s face, turned and headed toward Slade.

Slade watched everything and never felt more proud of her. He took her in his arms, his eyes searching every Warrior in the room who was hurting from the day’s events.

“Steve would have been damn proud of you.” Adam grabbed her hand, squeezing it.

“So the little dick died, did he?” Alice had clambered to her feet. “I was there you know. I orchestrated the whole thing today. Telling them who to shoot. I could have killed you all.” Alice laughed, pointing at each of them like a lunatic.

Slade felt Jill’s hand tighten against his waist.

“Poor….what was his name….? Alice’s smile was the purest form of evil.

“You are not even worthy to say his name you sick bitch.” Jill hissed, not even looking her way.

Alice ignored Jill, but the anger that quickly flashed across her face indicated that she heard every word. “There he was, coming out of the bathroom like a f*cking idiot. I did you guys a favor. He wasn’t Warrior material. None of the Warriors who died today were Warrior material or they wouldn’t have died.” Alice looked at them all, her eyes swinging back to Jill. “Look at me, breed. Didn’t you hear me? I ordered him to die and he never knew what hit him.”

Slade watched as Jill and Adam made eye contact. Everything seemed to go in slow motion as Jill reached for Adam’s gun. Slowly, she turned her head to stare directly at Alice.

“He was a Warrior, you bitch!” Jill’s voice cracked as she raised the gun, pulled the trigger, hitting Alice in the forehead. Jill didn’t watch as she hit the ground. She just turned, shoved Adam’s gun in his waiting hand and pressed her face into Slade’s chest.

Each Warrior in the room began to chant, one foot stomping with one arm swung across their chest at their heart. Slade looked down, pulling her chin up. “They are honoring you.”

Lifting her head, her eyes searched each of theirs. All of them had suffered loss. “No, they are honoring the family we lost today.” Jill fully joined along with Adam and Slade, following in on the chant which honored the ones who had fallen at the hands of Alice.

Slade wanting nothing more than to take her in his arms and carrying her away from the madness where she would be safe, but as he watched her join the other Warriors he had never been more proud.

Chapter 25

Jill sat outside the former Halfway House. Sloan had received official orders that the law had been overturned after he sent all the information George Groper had given them. They had also found the Mayor, who was being escorted to jail to await trial on a very long list of charges. Jill watched the happy reunion of families. She also watched others walk off into the night alone, having no one.

Bowing her head, Jill tried her best to keep the tears in, but she couldn’t help it. Steve should have been with them. He would have been so excited, running around helping whoever needed help, shouting out jokes to anyone who would listen and laugh. He was such a big part of the changes unfolding; she didn’t feel right celebrating.

Feeling a tender touch on her shoulder, Jill looked up into mismatched eyes. “Why are you so sad?” A girl who was plain yet pretty, smiled sadly down at her. Flaming red hair framed her face.

Jill sniffed, wiping her cheek. “I lost a good friend tonight.”

“I’m sorry.” She sat next to Jill. “Was it because of what you guys did here?”

“Oh, no,” Jill reassured her. “It was earlier today, but he did so much to help the shutting down of this place. He should be here.”

“Well, I thank you and your friends.” She stood to walk away. “I’m really sorry you lost him.”

“Do you have anywhere to go?” Jill stopped the girl.

The girl shook her head. “I have no family, but I’ll be fine.” She waved, turned and walked away.

“You about ready to go?” Slade took her into his arms, holding her tightly. Jill held on and nodded, her eyes not leaving the girl who walked slowly past reuniting families.

“That’s the girl who showed me where you were,” Slade said, following her line of vision.

“She doesn’t have anywhere to go.” Jill looked at him. “She has no family.”