A Warrior Wedding (7 page)

“Yeah, well, you aren’t paying him, now, are you?” she told him, following Gary.

“Neither will you,” Jax vowed, taking one last glance at the sleeping bag before going outside.

“What?” Caroline heard Jax mumble something, but couldn’t make it out.

Jax shook his head as he stared at her. “Are you staying here?”

Caroline’s attention went from Gary, who was climbing the ladder, to Jax. “Yes, it’s my home.” She gave him a ‘duh’ look like she had seen so many of her kids give, then looked back at Gary who was walking on the roof. “Please be careful.”

Gary tossed her a grin. “Don’t worry. I’ve done this a million times.”

“Bet he goes through.” Hunter stood watching with what looked like a hopeful expression.

“What a mean thing to say,” Caroline scolded.

“Oh, don’t worry.” Hunter grinned. “Jax will jump to his rescue.”

“
That
I wouldn’t bet on.” Blaze chuckled, glancing at Jax.

“It’s not safe for you to stay here.” Jax ignored Hunter and Blaze.

Caroline ignored Jax other than rolling her eyes. As Gary climbed down the ladder, Caroline headed toward him. “So, how much is this going to hurt?” Caroline bit her lip glancing at his notebook that he had been writing in.

His eyes went straight to her lips before clearing his throat. “I need to get a quote written up before I give you an estimate. It’s going to be costly. But I’ll make sure we can work something out.” He gave her a warm smile.

Jax’s growl gained Gary and Caroline’s attention. “She just needs an estimate for a roof and nothing more.”

Caroline glared at Jax before turning back to Gary. “How long will that take?”

Gary was eyeing Jax cautiously before he answered. “I can have an estimate worked up by tomorrow afternoon.” He looked behind him at the house. “Are you staying here?”

“Yes,” Caroline answered without hesitation.

“Not alone,” Jax added and before Caroline could say a word, he added, “We’ll be waiting for the estimate.”

Gary nodded. “Oh, okay.” He stuck out his hand. “It was nice meeting you, Ms. Fitzpatrick.”

“Thank you for coming out.” Caroline shook his hand knowing her face was flaming red as she watched Gary glance at Jax before heading quickly to his truck.

“Who in the hell do you think you are?” Caroline all but shrieked as she smacked Jax on the arm.

“We’ll go look for a tarp for the roof.” Blaze grabbed Hunter, who was watching with a huge grin.

“Awe, just when it’s getting good,” Hunter moaned, but followed Blaze.

“Telling a man you don’t know that you are staying here alone is not a smart move,” Jax replied, his frown still firmly in place.

“He’s a contactor.” Caroline sighed, really not understanding the mixed signals Jax was sending her. “And I have a gun.”

“He’s a man,” Jax replied as he walked past her. “And good.”

Caroline turned to watch as Jax jumped up on the roof to help put the tarp Blaze and Hunter found to cover the hole. Watching them work Caroline was more confused than ever and wished he was still standing in front of her so she could smack him again.

CHAPTER 8

Sloan slammed his phone down, picked it back up and slammed it again. “Stupid bastards.” He hissed, rubbing his face. He was tired, so tired of everything. He once loved his position, but lately, he just wanted to walk. Being one of the few leaders who was against coming out to the human race, that phone call just proved why he had strongly felt that way. The fear and prejudice of most, especially the ones in power positions, pissed him off to the point if rogue vampires invaded their closed-minded space, he would look the other way. “Fuck!”

Picking up his phone again, he stared at it, feeling as if the walls were closing in on him. This news deserved to be told face-to-face instead of a text or a phone call. Standing, he stretched his tense muscles before heading out of his office. He stopped, looked around and stalled. He knew what this was going to lead to. Laughter came from the kitchen as he passed, but he didn’t slow down. Silently, Sloan wondered when the last time was that he really laughed.

A grim frown slipped across his lips. He didn’t have time to laugh. Hell, he didn’t have time for anything, let alone laughing or enjoying even a second of anything.

“Jesus, I’m finally losing my fucking mind.” Sloan shook his head in disgust. Knocking once on Slade’s office door, he walked in.

Slade looked up from his desk. “Fuck!” Slade snarled, seeing Sloan’s grim face.

“Yeah, fuck.” Sloan closed the door behind him. “Just got off the phone with Dan Bentley, who is a spineless piece-of-shit and unfortunately, our representative with the human government.”

“He human?” Slade asked, tossing his pen on the desk, rubbing his hand through his hair.

Sloan nodded. “It seems that there’s an onslaught of requests coming in to change half-breeds.” To follow was the information he dreaded. “All requests are being denied. The human government is afraid of vampires outnumbering humans.”

“So they’re playing God and deciding who lives and who doesn’t.” The truth of the statement sat heavily in the room. Palpable fury radiated off Slade. “I don’t give a fuck what they deny. If it is a choice between her living or dying, I will change her and they can stick their denial up their asses.”

“I figured you’d feel that way.” Sloan sighed, not blaming Slade. “I’m sure Duncan will do the same thing, but know the risk you are taking.”

“The only risk I see is losing Jill and that is not a risk I’m willing to take.” Slade’s eyes burned as he stared at Sloan, an unspoken message that was loud and clear passed between them.

“You know the consequences of changing someone without consent. We got away with it with Steve, but that was a whole different situation. It looks like what is happening with Pam and Jill is happening everywhere.”  Sloan wanted to make damn sure Slade knew exactly what was out of his control to stop from happening. “Not only will you be jailed, stripped of your VC Warrior status, but you will never be able to practice medicine, human nor vampire again.”

“I know the fucking risks, Sloan.” Slade growled, his voice raspy with emotion. “I have a wedding coming up in less than three weeks and if I don’t fix this, I won’t have a bride.”

“Weddings get cancelled all the time.” Sloan played the devil’s advocate. He wanted to make damn sure he knew where Slade’s head was because if he was going to fight for his Warriors, he needed to know with no doubt whatsoever in his own mind. The silence was deafening and he actually waited for Slade to attack, because he knew how much he loved Jill, but a calm façade shadowed Slade’s features.

“Not mine.” Slade’s voice was deep with conviction.

******

J
ill quietly backed away from Slade’s door before turning around and walking quickly away. The hallway swam before her eyes as she stumbled away. The silence after Sloan said to cancel the wedding was enough for her to hear, but even if Slade had doubts, she would never allow him to put himself in a position to lose everything he had worked for, not for her.

Seeing Nicole and Tessa before they saw her, she ducked down another hallway and waited until they were gone. She didn’t want to talk to anyone. No, that was a lie. Pulling her phone out, she shot off a text and waited. Relief settled over her as her phone dinged. Reading the text, she walked out of her hiding spot and headed out the front door, but not before she turned off her phone.

Walking toward one of the cars, she frowned checking her pockets, but she knew she didn’t have the keys. “Crap.” Spotting Adam’s car, she grinned. “Ah, what the hell.”

Jogging up to the car, she was happy it wasn’t locked. Opening the door, she bent down and went to work. Within minutes, she had the car running. So he must be back to trusting her, his mistake. With a snort, Jill climbed in, backed up and pulled out of the driveway.

As she drove, her mind kept going back to Sloan and Slade’s conversation, her stomach tightening with fear. Fear of death, fear of losing the only person she ever loved, and fear of watching him lose everything he ever worked for. She felt a full-blown panic attack coming on and fought it back.

After twenty minutes, she passed her old house and drove down a narrow dirt path. Seeing her brother’s car, she smiled, instantly feeling better. He leaned against the driver’s side door watching her with his familiar grin.

“Long time no see, stranger,” Trevor teased. “Now that you’re a big-time Warrior, you can’t find time for us lowly humans?”

Okay, that hit her hard, but she kept the smile on her face. “Yeah, I have to pencil you in.”

“You called me, remember.” Trevor grabbed her in a hug and ruffled her hair. “Smart ass.”

Jill hugged him, not realizing how tight. “Missed you.”

Trevor gasped for air. “Whoa, there, sis.” He gently pushed at her. “You’re squeezing me to death.”

“Sorry.” Jill pulled away then looked around. “Is the swing still up?”

“What’s going on, Jill?” Trevor’s smile slipped.

“What? I can’t call my brother to hang for a little bit?” Jill didn’t look at him; instead, she walked down the path she had walked more times than she could count. Things were different, yet comforting and the same. No, that wasn’t right. Everything here was the same; she was different.

Trevor stepped next to her and placed his arm around her. Quietly, they made their way through the woods, Jill taking everything in. A sense of peace mixed with turmoil consumed her mind. Reaching the end of the path, which overlooked a large lake, Jill stepped to the edge.

“Water’s up,” she said absently, and then looked over at the old tree leaning over the calm water. “And there’s the vine, still intact after all these years.”

Trevor leaned up against a tree watching her closely. “Okay, Jill.” He no longer wore a grin. “You’re freaking me the hell out. What’s going on?”

Jill pulled on the thick vine and sure enough, it held strong. With a sigh, she released it and sat down on a large boulder. “I’m sick, Trev.”

“Whatever. You’re a vampire.” Trevor snorted, rolling his eyes, but when Jill didn’t laugh he sat next to her.

“I’m half-vampire.” Jill glanced at him with her mismatched eyes. “Long story short, whatever was in the serum they injected to change us is failing, and my body is fighting it off.”

“You’re shitting me.” Trevor half-grinned, nudging her.

She nudged him back before looking back at him. “I wish I was.”

Trevor stared at her for a minute then stood. “No!” He shook his head. “There has to be something they can do.”

“It’s not just me this is happening to.” Jill sighed. “Sloan asked for permission for us to be changed to full blood, but it’s been denied.”

“Fuck them.” Trevor hissed, his face paling as he truly realized how serious the situation was. “There’s no way Slade is going to stand for that. Though I’ve only met him once, I saw how much he cares for you.”

“He can’t, Trevor.” Standing, Jill glanced at the lake. “He could lose everything he worked for, plus be put in jail. I’m not going to let that happen.”

“So you’ll just die?” Trevor grabbed her arm. “There has to be another way.”

Jill nodded before looking straight at him. “Do not say anything to Dad,” Jill ordered. “I don’t want him to worry.”

Trevor remained silent, not agreeing or disagreeing.

“I mean it, Trevor,” Jill warned. “Swear it.”

“Okay.” Trevor raised his hands in defeat.

“And Mom neither, not that she would care.” Jill said and those words hit her harder than usual. She would love to talk to her mom like a daughter should be able to. “But she would tell Dad and until things are grim, I don’t want him to worry. His health is too important.”

“She would care,” Trevor replied. “And do you think that’s fair to keep this from them?”

Jill thought about that for a moment. “Yeah, it’s fair.” Deep down inside she prayed it was a nightmare she would wake up from.

They stood and looked around in silence, a silence that drove Jill crazy. Grabbing the vine, she gave it a good yank. With a firm grip, she took five steps back and grinned. “Dare me?” She kicked off her shoes.

“No.” Trevor finally laughed.

“Bet me?” she continued, her laughter ringing through the woods.

“No way.” Trevor crossed his arms, standing strong. “I like my money too much.”

“Good choice.” She wiggled her eyebrows at him as she took off running. Her feet left the path and the trusted old vine from their childhood took her far out to the middle of the lake. Her face lifted to the sky and with eyes wide open, she let go and felt free for the first time in a long time, just like she had when she was a young girl. Within seconds, the cool water washed over her and her feet hit the bottom. She kept herself submerged enjoying the quiet solitude. Then with a hard push, she shot back to the surface. Looking around, she laughed at Trevor who kicked off his shoes grabbing the vine.

“Do a flip!” she shouted with a dare in her voice.

“It’s been years since I’ve even done this,” Trevor called back while he backed up the path with the vine. “Let me do it once with just letting go of the damn thing first.”

“Chicken,” Jill mocked him from the water.

“Smart chicken,” he yelled back as he took off running. As his feet left the path and swung out over the water above Jill, he screamed before letting go. “Shiiiiit!”

Jill laughed so hard she could hardly keep herself above water. When he broke the surface, her laughter continued while trying to talk. “Oh, my God, you should have seen your face and you screamed like a girl.”

“It’s seems a hell of a lot higher than it used to be when we were young and careless.” He defended his girly scream with a splash to her face.

She splashed him back and grinned. “Flip?”

He nodded, his grin mirroring hers. “Flip!”

“Whoever screams like a girl buys dinner.” Jill laughed, then swallowed a ton of water when he dunked her as he passed.

Jill shouted a threat, swimming hard to catch him, but weakness swallowed her energy forcing her to slow down. Nothing was going to stop her from having this moment with her brother, even if it killed her.