Jax (The Protectors Series) Book #8 (19 page)

Within seconds, Jax lifted Mika’s severed scalp, throwing his own head back and screamed a war-cry that had everyone go silent. Looking back down at Mika, he threw the scalp at him before stepping back. The bloody scalp fell at Mika’s knees. “That was for every person you dishonored in
my
tribe.”

Knowing that wouldn’t kill Mika, he waited for Mika to stop his moaning and screaming, which he finally did. He managed to stand and face Jax. He looked grotesque without his scalp with blood streaking down his face.

“Any last words before death comes to collect you?” Jax said, his voice void of any emotion. Jax looked away from him, not even afraid of Mika making a move and wished he would, and looked to Sloan who threw him a sword which he caught easily.

"I spit on the names you wear on your skin." Mika's eyes narrowed as he cursed his insult. Before he could spit on Jax, Jax brought the sword up, spun in the air and, as he came down, the sword sliced through Mika's neck, severing his head.

"That was for me, motherfucker." Jax stared down at his brother. Tossing the sword on his dead body, he glanced at Sloan. "I'm going to the hospital if anyone needs me."

“Damn, dude.” Sid looked over at Damon. “I think a new badass has been crowned. Scalping
and
decapitation, I mean holy fucking shit!”

“Shut up, asshole.” Damon grumbled, this there was respect as he looked at Jax.

Jax heard Sid, but didn’t say a word as he picked up his shirt and stepped on the elevator without turning around. When the door closed, Jax slumped, his body trembling, his relief was so great and yet he had no remorse. He felt a sense of freedom he hadn’t felt in a long time. When he knew the door would be opening, he stood straight and proud, cracking his neck back and forth. Just another day in the office.

Chapter 30

Caroline had been anxious to get out of the hospital. After inhaling more smoke than anyone realized, she'd been forced to stay a total of six days. Slade refused her discharge until her lungs were clear. A course of oxygen, as well as breathing treatments, finally seemed to have worked, which meant she was home free.

"Where are we going?" Caroline looked over at Jax, then out the car window.

"You'll see." He smiled without looking at her. "Just sit back and enjoy being out of the hospital."

Caroline sighed with a smile. The night he'd returned to her, he came back a changed man. All he'd said was that Mika would never bother them again. He'd then crawled into her hospital bed and held her the rest of the night. The nurses weren't too happy about that, but Jax didn't care and neither had she. Caroline never asked any questions about that night and she never would. If Jax wanted to talk about it, she would listen.

Lana had told her that they'd found the man who had set her house on fire with her in it, but that was all she knew. The only thing Sid would tell her was that he had been dealt with and would never be a bother to them again. Caroline wondered if there was something behind the phrase "'never be a bother to them again.'" She also had only seen Alisha once since the night of the fire. She had come to say good-bye. Caroline really hoped that Alisha finally found peace.

Jax reached over and grabbed her uninjured hand in his. "You still taking the pain medicine?"

"No, why?" Caroline gave him a sideways look.

"No reason, just wondering." He turned his head and she knew he was grinning.

"I swear you and my family are awful." Caroline gave his hand a sharp tug. "I react weird and can't help what I say on that stuff."

"You're hilarious." Jax lifted her hand, leaned over and kissed it.

"You guys just like to make fun of me, that's all." Caroline couldn't help but laugh. "What did I say to Slade? No one will tell me and now every time I see him, he seems uncomfortable."

"You asked him repeatedly if he was sure he wasn't a gynecologist. When he said no, you asked him if he wanted to be and you'd be his first patient." Jax gave her a fake frown. "I kind of wanted to kill him, but then I realized it was the meds talking."

"Oh, my God." Caroline banged her head on the window. "You're lying, I didn't really do that."

"Yeah, babe, you did." Jax nodded, still grinning.

"I bet Jill hates me." Caroline cringed, her cheeks heating.

"No, she was actually laughing her ass off and teasing Slade unmercifully," Jax replied, pulling into her driveway.

"What are we doing here?" Caroline sat up, her eyes taking in everything. "What's going on?"

Jax pulled up and parked. Getting out, he went around to open her door. Caroline stepped out. Her old house was totally gone. Nothing was left but the old barn. Heavy equipment was moving dirt around as men placed markers.

"They're getting the area ready to build our new house." Jax put his arm around her, leading her toward a trailer that was parked away from where the house was being built. "The builder is just waiting for us to tell them what we want, and they're ready to start."

"You're building me a house?" Caroline felt the tears well up.

"No, we are building
us
a house." Jax leaned down, kissing her on the temple. "Now come on. We need to go over some plans so they can start, and then we have things to catch up on."

"What kind of things, Jax Wheeler?" Caroline smiled up at him.

"Well, for one, you becoming my mate." Jax looked into the distance as he spoke.

"What?" Caroline tugged on his hair to make him look at her.

"Will you be my mate, Caroline Fitzpatrick?" Jax had never sounded more sincere than he did at that moment.

"I would love nothing more than to be your mate, Jax." Caroline couldn't hold it in any longer, the tears came. She didn't care who was there or who was watching. She clung to him and kissed him like a starved woman, a happy woman who was finally getting what she wanted most, and that was Jax Wheeler.

"If we don't stop, we will never go in that trailer because I will take you home now." Jax growled down at her.

"Take me home, Jax." Caroline rested her head on his chest, her heart beating erratically. "That's the only thing I want to do right now. I want to become your mate before we do anything else."

Jax didn't argue. He led her to the truck, but Caroline stopped and turned, confusion dipping her brows. "Wait a minute." She looked back toward where her house used to stand, then to Jax. "Where exactly is home?"

"I've got it covered." Jax smiled, helping her into the car. "Trust me."

"Always." She smiled up at him, excited for their new start, and it was a new start for them. She had never asked what happened with Mika; she didn't care. The difference in Jax was incredible. He seemed happy and that was all she cared about.

As they drove away, Alisha watched them go with a smile on her face. She looked around, then up to the sky, and with a nod she began to fade.

******

Sloan wanted to just toss his whole desk out the window. "Fuck." He shuffled papers, but couldn't find what he was looking for. "Dammit…. Shit."

The knock on the door made him cringe, count to ten, and curse. "What?"

Jill peeked in. "Hey."

"Please do not beat around the fucking bush by saying hey." Sloan growled, his eyes narrowing on her. "Spit it out or get out."

"You remember when we had those interviews…?" Jill stopped speaking at Sloan's glare. "I mean, of course you remember. Well, you told Caroline that you would interview her friend."

"No, I did not." Sloan emphasized each word with a growl. If he were a smart man, he would beg Jill to get someone in there and pronto. He was busier than fuck and with the shifters getting crazy and trying to form their own council, he was drowning, but dammit, he didn't want anyone trying to help him. 

"Uh, actually, you did… twice," Jill replied. "That day you… well, you didn't say anything so she took it as you saying yes. And then at the hospital, you said yes, which I heard."

"Me saying nothing at all does not mean yes." Sloan slammed his hand on his desk. "And at the hospital, she was so drugged up I seriously doubt she remembers that."

"Yeah, well about that… she does… remember." Jill looked everywhere in the room other than at Sloan. "She set up an interview for you."

"Well, cancel it." Sloan was not in a good mood and it was getting worse by the minute.

"It's a little late." Jill actually took two steps back. "She's here."

"You have got to be fucking kidding me." Sloan's eyes started to glow black.

"Um, nope… I'm not." Jill cringed, waiting for Sloan to blow.

"This is it!" Sloan pointed at her. "After this, no women other than the women who are already grandfathered in—"

"Grandfathered in?" Jill frowned.

"Yes, grandfathered in, meaning if you are already here, you're okay until you give me a reason to kick your bony ass out, which in your case is three strikes. And you are so close to that third strike." Sloan dropped his hand.

Jill just stared at him and he stared at her. "Uh, okay, are you going to finish?"

Sloan honestly forgot what the hell his point was, but he'd be damned if he let her know that. "Jill, let the damn woman in so she can get the hell out."

"Oh, yes, sir." Jill quickly headed for the door. "I really think you're going to like her."

"Jill!" Sloan warned, his patience very thin.

"Okay, okay." Jill frowned and opened the door. "You can come in now."

Sloan watched as the redhead he remembered from the day of hell Jill created walked in his office. He stood.

"Hi, Mr. Murphy." She stuck out her hand. "I'm Becky Spencer. I don't know if you remember me."

Sloan took her hand, careful not to hurt her as he shook it. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Spencer. Please have a seat." He left out whether he remembered her or not. He didn't have time for this shit. Even though she was damn well better looking than his Warriors that filled his office daily, he didn't want someone underfoot. It was his office, dammit. Before he could say he wasn't interested in a secretary, his phone rang. "I'm sorry, but I have to take this."

The woman nodded, her eyes never wavering from his.

"Yeah," he answered, and a frown quickly followed. "No, I haven't found it yet. I have nothing with a letterhead that looks like a skyline." Sloan rummaged around his desk again.

The woman reached out, grabbed a piece of paper, and held it up. "Is this what you're looking for?"

Surprise widened Sloan's eyes as he nodded and took it from her. "Yeah, just found it." Sloan glanced over at Jill, who gave him a thumbs-up. At his glare, she hurried out the door, closing it behind her. "I'm going to have to call you back, Gary."

Hanging up, he stared at the paper he had been searching for for over an hour, amazed that she had found it in three seconds flat.

"So, about that job." Becky gave him a bright smile.

AUTHOR NOTE

Yes, Sloan’s book is going to be next. No, this will NOT be the last book in the series. I have listened to you all and have decided to change my mind. You want Sloan and I feel Sloan is ready to be told.

The great thing about being an indie author and a woman is I can change my mind. HA! Thank you so much for having such powerful feelings about this series and know that I hear every single one of you who reach out. Because of you Sloan gets his story next and yes, he is grumbling about it. Oh, the things to be told…..

COMING SOON

‘Lee County Wolves’ Book #2

‘The Protectors Series’ Book #9 Sloan

Find out more about me and the Warriors at

www.teresagabelman.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Teresa-Gabelman/191553587598342?ref=bookmarks