Sid (The Protectors Series) Book #4 (26 page)

“Nothing,” Sid smiled. “You ready?”

“No, I want to know what’s
wrong,” Lana pushed. “If you don’t want to go, I’ll understand.”

Sid sighed
, “It’s not that. I’m just not used to being a part of a family, Lana. I’ve never had one, so when I hear family, I don’t consider myself.”

Lana kissed him. “Well
, get used to it because you’ve been adopted into a crazy-ass family.”

“I love you
, Lana.” Sid hugged her tight, realizing he couldn’t stop saying the words; plus, he discovered, he didn’t care. He didn’t care what his brothers had to say to him. He dished the shit out to them and he was going to have to take what they dished back. Looking at Lana, he knew whatever it was, it would be worth it. If it meant him being a pussy, then he was a pussy; he didn’t give a fuck.

“And I love you
, my Sidilicious,” Lana said seriously before letting loose a snort.

“No.” Sid shook his head. “Hell no. If you call me that again
, I’ll spank that sweet ass.”

“Promise
?” Lana gave him a sultry smile over her shoulder.

“Think we’re going to be late to the hospital
,” Sid growled, tackling her into the bedroom and slamming the door closed.

******

Adam stood outside a large two-story home. She was inside; he could feel her. Glancing behind him, Jill and Jared stood at his back. He and Jared had made their peace that night at the warehouse. This was after Jared pounded his face.

After
the interviews of the women they released at the club, and the men, who had been arrested, a girl fitting the description of Angelina had been traced to this address. They had been told she had been sold to a businessman.

Taking the steps two at a time
, he stopped at the door. Lifting his hand, he knocked and then waited for answers he had sought for months. He heard light footsteps coming toward the door.

The door slowly opened and there she stood, more beautiful than he remembered.

“Adam?” Her voice shook, her eyes widened in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

That set him back. “What do you mean ‘what am I doing here’
? I’m looking for you. I’ve been looking for you since the night you disappeared.”

“Honey, who is it?” A man’s voice echoed out the door.

Adam looked behind her as a man appeared. He was older than Angelina by at least five or six years, dressed in a business suit and was holding a coffee cup.

“An old friend.” Angelina’s eyes never left Adam.

“Oh, I’m an old friend?” Adam hissed before finding it within him to tamp his anger down.

The man opened the door wider
, sticking his hand out in a friendly gesture. “I’m Angelina’s husband, Robert. It’s nice to meet you.”

Adam had to hold his growl back. He took the man’s hand in a shake, but his eyes stayed on Angelina. “Adam.”

“Adam,” the man smiled. “It’s nice to finally meet you. Angelina has told me a lot about you.”

Adam felt like he was caught in a nightmare
or the fucking Twilight Zone. What he wanted to do was beat the fuck out of this dude, but the son of a bitch was being nice, inviting him inside his home.

“Are you okay?” Adam asked the only question he had to ask before he turned around and left. He had to make sure he wasn’t leaving her in a situation she was being forced to stay in.

“Of course she’s okay,” Robert laughed, putting his hand on her shoulder.

“I asked her.” Adam did growl this time. “Are you?”

“Why wouldn’t she be okay?” Robert looked confused and a little worried.

“Because she was sold.” Adam finally took his eyes off Angelina. “I’ve been looking for her since the night she disappeared
, and I’m not leaving this fucking porch until I hear it from her that she is okay.”

“It wasn’t like that.” Angelina’s voice was a
s soft as he remembered. “Robert was there with his brother trying to stop him from getting in trouble. He didn’t really even know what was going on until they started auctioning women off. He was getting ready to leave when they put me up. He saved me, Adam.”

And wasn’t that a punch in the gut. This man had done something Adam wasn’t able to accomplish. “Do you love him?”

“Yes, I do,” Angelina didn’t hesitate with her answer.

With the man standing so close
, Adam had to make sure. If he didn’t, it would haunt him forever. Reaching out, he grasped her arm, touching her for the first time to read her. Getting his answer, he let her go.

“I should have called you.” Angelina was looking down at the ground. “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, you should have.” Adam glanced up at the man who was watching him closely. “Take care of her or deal with me.”

The man actually smiled. “I will and thank you for caring about her that much. I know if anything happens to me
, she’ll be taken care of.”

Adam nodded
and then turned heading down the steps.

“Adam, wait.” Angelina flew down the steps throwing her arms around his neck. “I never meant to hurt you
, Adam. I’m sorry. It just happened.”

Hugging her back and then letting her go was the hardest thing Adam had ever done. “I’m glad you found your happ
iness, Angelina. Call me if you ever need me.”

Adam turned
, walking the rest of the way down the steps. Jared and Jill had made their way to the car, but stayed outside just in case.

“You good
?” Jared stared at him, watching him closely.

“Yeah, I am
,” Adam nodded. “I’m going to walk back. I need a minute.”

Jill walked
toward him and gave him a gentle knuckle bump. “Hurry back. I have an itch to kick your ass. Haven’t trained with you in a while.”

A genuine smile lifted his lips as he looked at Jill. “You got it.” He play
-punched her in the chin. “You better warm up and get some extra practice in before I get there. You’ve been looking weak.”

Seeing the worried look in Jared’s eyes
, Adam gave him a cocky grin. “I’m not going to kill anything. I’ll be fine, Mom.”

“Asshole
,” Jared shook his head with a grin.

“Dickhead
,” Adam smiled, walking away.

Once they passed
, he gave them a wave as he watched them disappear. He knew they were worried and he guessed he would be too because of the way he had acted, but seeing Angelina was okay and happy was enough. He loved her enough to know she was better off where she was. He was a half-breed with no future and nothing to offer her. The weight was off his shoulders feeling he was responsible for her disappearance. He had walked up those steps a boy and had walked back down a man. The thought took him unaware. He was a VC Warrior and had a new mission. He would be the best Warrior the Council had ever seen. He continued down the street without looking back. Forward was now the only way for him to travel.