Adam (15 page)

“Because there aren
’t many women Warriors,” Jax answered without blinking.

“And that means nothing to me and is a pretty crappy answer.” Jill
’s response was spoken with conviction. It was a crappy answer and she wasn’t afraid to say it. “So let me get this straight. Just because I don’t have something hanging between my legs and rape is threatened on me, but he can’t take it, I get let go because he might blab important information?”

“I
’m sorry, Jill, but I don’t think I can handle that,” Steve replied, not meeting her glare.

“
Well, Steve, I don’t care if you can handle it or not. Then that’s your problem, not mine.” Jill stood, knocking her chair back. “Rape is the last thing I want to happen to me, but I know it’s a possibility, just like it is if I walk down a city street. But because you can’t handle it, I’m the liability.”

“Were you going to sit here and let her get raped?” Steve asked Adam who had been quiet.

“She knows the risk, Steve,” Adam replied, his tone hard. “And she’s right. It’s not her fault and shouldn’t be kicked out because you can’t stomach what could happen. Instead, we need to make sure what happened tonight doesn’t happen to us again. We need to keep her and us out of this type of situation.”

“So your answer is yes
. You would have let her get raped by a room full of men.” Steve looked at Adam in shocked disgust. “What if that was Angelina.”

Adam growled. “This is Jill, not Angelina. This is Jill who signed up for this
. Angelina did not. This is Jill who has worked harder than either of us for this position, and I will not be the one to make her a liability. You understand me?” Adam turned, looking at Steve with a hardness that surprised Jill and obviously Steve who leaned back. “I would do everything in my power to stop it from happening, just like she would stop anything from happening to us if she can. She knows it’s a possibility and is willing to take the risks. You need to respect her wishes and shut the fuck up.”

“Then can I refuse to work with him so he isn
’t put into that situation with me?” Jill felt sick to her stomach. Every time she thought she had it all figured out, something was thrown in her path that could stop her from what she wanted most. This was more than important to her. This was all she had, and Steve, who she knew cared for her, was about to throw it away for her.

Jax shook his head. “It doesn
’t work that way. Plus he probably isn’t going to be the only male who feels this way. Warriors are very protective and hold women in high regard.” Jax stared her down. “Unfortunately, every Warrior in this room would be hard-pressed not to tell everything in order to keep you safe, me included. As I said, we have not had much practice with this sort of situation because not many women become Warriors.”

Bile made it from her stomach to the back of her throat as she looked each Warrior in the eye and saw the truth. “So pretty much I
’m not being considered seriously.”

“I didn
’t say that,” Jax sighed. “I’m saying that this could be a problem in the future that will have to be dealt with.”

And she knew what that meant. Letting her go. Feeling dejected and foolish
, Jill nodded her head. Part of her wanted to run for the door, but her stubborn part made her want to prove she belonged here even if she was dickless. Feeling pissed, she looked down at Steve. “Steve, I appreciate you wanting to protect me, but if the day comes, and it could, that some big hairy-ass man threatens to drill you if I don’t give information, I could stomach it and keep my mouth shut, because I know you’ve made a decision to take that risk. Though I would do everything in my power to make sure it didn’t happen.”

Steve
’s eyes widened at the picture she painted. “Ah, well I never made a decision to take the risk of being drilled by a big hairy-assed man.” He looked up at Jax and then the rest of the Warriors. “I mean, that doesn’t happen, does it?”

“Anything can happen.” Jax confirmed
, tossing a look of respect to Jill. “But our job is to keep you alive and our confidential information confidential.”

Slade stepped up. “Okay, you guys have the rest of the day and night off to absorb what happened today. Be back here at six
am sharp.”

“Wait out by the van
and I’ll take you back,” Damon told them as he headed toward Slade.

Jill stood
, still feeling like she was going to throw up. She had done everything right, yet still the threat of being tossed aside was hanging over her head and it pissed her off. She wanted to scream and kick each of them between the legs, but instead, she followed Adam out. Walking across the parking lot, she stepped on a rock reminding her that she had lost her shoes sometime during the struggle. Cursing, she turned to go back inside.

Seeing her shoes
, she headed that way, but stopped when she heard Jax and Slade’s voices above the others.

“So what
’s up between you and the female?” Jax asked, making Jill curious enough to take a chance of being caught eavesdropping.

“Nothing. She is a candidate and nothing more
,” Slade replied, his voice even, not giving away anything. “And if there was it would be none of your fucking business, Wheeler.”

“She
’s a liability.”

“And if that
’s the case, she’s gone,” Slade answered with a coldness Jill had never heard before.

Forgetting about her shoes
, Jill turned and left the building. Seeing Adam and Steve in a deep conversation, she tilted her head knowing they were also talking about her.

“Adam, I
’m seriously not going to be able to handle watching a woman be brutalized.” Steve shook his head. “I know I can’t, and dammit, I know you. All that bullshit you were saying inside was just that, bullshit. You care for her too much to sit back while a roomful of men rape her.”

“Yeah, well
, we will see won’t we?” Adam looked her way. “Now shut the fuck up; there she is.”

Jill
remained staring at them and made a snap decision. She hated beating around the bush of any kind. “You fucking idiots. I have expert hearing, or have you forgotten I’m just like you but without a dick.” She flipped them off with both hands. “I will not be your liability, so screw you, assholes!” She marched off in a huff before breaking out into a run; she really needed to get rid of her anger.

******

Slade walked out seeing Jill take off into a run. “Where in the hell is she going?”

Adam sighed.
“She came out of the warehouse and heard me and Steve talking about her.”

“Dammit
,” Slade hissed when he and Jax looked at each other, knowing there was a good chance she heard them also.

“Yeah, she
’s about to show me and Steve up,” Adam replied, being a hundred percent serious. “I think she has taken this liability issue to heart and is about to prove us all wrong.”

“Will she be back?” Jax asked
, looking back and forth between Adam and Slade.

“With a vengeance.” Adam smiled with a little pride. “Jill is one tough chick and would make one hell of a Warrior if she is ever given a real chance.”

“She’s got her chance,” Jax replied, looking toward the direction she went. “No one has taken that away from her.”

“And no one will
, but we have a lot of work to do in order to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Slade turned, heading toward his bike with Jax following. “You heading to the Mayor’s office?”

Jax pulled out a leather jacket from his duffle bag strapped to his Harley Street Glide, slipping it on. In one fluid motion
, he was on his bike. “Yes, and looking forward to it.” He slipped his sunglasses on with a smile. “Hope he’s ready to meet Jax Wheeler.”

Slade laughed as he stepped over his Harley. “No one is ever ready to meet Jax Wheeler.”
Dropping his sunglasses on, he smiled. “Beware of Alice.”

“
Been warned.” Jax raised his sunglasses to look at Slade. “Heard she was…talented with her mouth.” The whiteness of his teeth was a contrast against his exotic dark features and raven black hair that hung past the collar of his leather jacket.

“I wouldn
’t know,” Slade replied. His grin slipped when he warned, “She’s dangerous.”

“Noted.” Jax dropped his sunglasses back in place nodding in the direction Jill went. “You going after her?”

Slade didn’t say a word. He revved his bike and pulled out, ignoring his old friend’s loud laughter following him.

Chapter 18

Jill had stopped running and was now walking at a fast clip. She knew she was heading in the opposite direction of the compound, but she didn
’t want to go there just yet. She needed time to clear her head and harden her heart a little bit before facing everyone. It was her way of dealing with things; it had always been that way. She didn’t want anyone feeling sorry for poor Jill. That shit just got on her nerves and aggravated her more.

Cars and trucks passed by doing their daily thing
. A few horns blew as well as idiots yelling stupid stuff out the window at her, but she paid them no attention until the sound of a motorcycle in the distance reached her ears. She knew the sound of that bike anywhere. Dammit, she didn’t want them to think she took off hoping someone would come running after her. She wasn’t one of those girls.

“I didn
’t leave so anyone would come chasing me down.” Jill stopped walking when he pulled up beside her. “I’m just taking a run since we didn’t work out this morning.” She had tied her shirt together in a half shirt showing some stomach so the ripped part was closed.

She turned to start walking again, but he rode along side of her. Dammit
, why did he have to look so damn handsome sitting on that bike with his faded ripped blue jeans, plain black t-shirt that fitted him like a second skin. That and the way he sat on the bike like it was nothing to have all that power between his legs, made her heart skip. His corded arms stretched to the handlebars where his strong capable hands controlled the speed and power of the bike. Damn, it was hot out today. She rubbed the back of her neck. She felt his eyes on her and chanced a glance.

“
Get on,” he ordered, stopping, his large muscular leg on the ground, holding the huge bike up.

“Slade
, I’m good.” Jill even smiled; it was fake as hell, but it was a smile. “I just need a minute to reflect on some stuff. I’m not going to off myself by jumping in front of a car or anything. I just need to cool down. Really, I’m fine.”

That was everything she said
aloud, but inside her mind, she was smacking herself by being stupid enough to pass up a golden opportunity to straddle herself behind this awesome hunk of man, for him to take her anywhere he wanted to take her. Her arms would be wrapped around his hard torso, her hands clutching his ripped stomach. Yet there she was saying no, because she needed Jill-time.
Fuck Jill-time
, she wanted to scream and make it Slade time, but her mouth and body just did the dumb thing and said no, Mr. Hot Warrior, leave me be. What in the hell was wrong with her.

A truck full of men slowed down
, yelling obscenities and making gestures at Jill. Slade turned his head with a loud growl, flashing his fangs at them. One of them banged their head on the doorframe trying to pull his head back in the truck window. The truck peeled away, running the red light ahead almost broadsiding another car.

“You almost caused an accident.” Jill raised her eyebrows at him. When he didn
’t answer, she turned to start walking again.

The bike
revved up to a roar as he pulled up on the sidewalk blocking her way. “Get on the fucking bike.” Slade lifted his sunglasses to stare at her. “Now.”

It was a battle for only a few seconds. Knowing she was going to lose anyway
, she walked up to the bike, grabbed his shoulder as she lifted her leg over, and then put her feet on the pegs. “Since you asked so nicely.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t have a helmet.”

“I
’ll be careful.” He was looking down to make sure she was ready. “Where in the hell are your shoes?”

“At the warehouse.” She wasn
’t going to say any more than that, but thought what the hell. Might as well get it out there in the open. “I didn’t want to interrupt yours and Jax’s conversation, so I left them.”

She felt him stiffen at her words as she wrapped her arms around him, but he kept quiet.
Revving the engine, he carefully pulled into traffic. Once cleared with the open road ahead, he opened the bike up and Jill never felt freer in her life. If she ever made enough money, she was definitely getting herself a bike. Although, if Slade bowed down and agreed to be her driver for life, she would reconsider, because having her body pressed against his was pure heaven.

“Why are we here?”
she asked, a little disappointed when he pulled into the warehouse.

“To get your shoes.” He kicked the stand down
and then leaned forward so she could slide off before he swung himself off in one fluid motion, heading toward the door.

“Oh
,” Jill replied, feeling stupid. What did she expect, a long ride to somewhere private and beautiful where they could sit and stare lovingly at each other? Jill actually smacked her forehead trying to knock some sense into herself, and then noticed he was watching her through the reflection of the glass door. “Bug.” She passed him without looking when he held the door open for her.

Spotting her shoes
, she went to get them without turning on the lights. Turning, she walked back out, but stopped because Slade’s silhouette outlined the doorway.

“You
’re not going to quit.” His deep voice surrounded her. His golden eyes glowed in the darkness of the room.

“I
’m not planning on it.” Jill held her shoes to her chest. “But I think your liability rules need to be changed. It’s totally unfair.”

Slade stood still as stone, not moving. “It is unfair, but it is the way it is.”

“What
exactly
does that mean?” Jill frowned. “
It is the way it is
? Really? No kidding? I can kick Steve’s ass, yet I can get let go because I don’t have a cock because
it is the way it is
. I’ll tell you what that is, it’s total bullshit.”

Slade didn
’t respond to her rant, but she could see the whiteness of his teeth. She stomped toward him ready to go. She didn’t find any of this funny.

“Move.” She stood
, staring at his chest.

“No.”

She looked up, the grin still planted firmly on his face. “I don’t find any of this funny.” She stepped closer. “And I don’t like to be laughed at.”

“I
’m not laughing at you.” Slade stayed firmly planted. “You need to stay focused on your training. Don’t worry about liability or anything other than making it through the training and you’ll be fine.”

“Easy for you to say
. You’ve got a cock.” Jill rolled her eyes, and then caught him grinning again. “Stop laughing at me.”

“Then stop saying cock.” Slade
’s grin widened. “And change your hair back. Blue suits you and I like it.”

Jill
’s stomach dipped at the mention of him liking anything about her, even her hair. She snapped her mouth closed, forgetting what she was about to say. He leaned down, his grin slipping to only tilt one corner of his sexy mouth, and then…his fucking phone rang.

“Fuck
,” Slade growled, reaching into his front pocket.

Actually
, Jill wanted to reach in his front pocket herself, but more than anything, she wanted to grab his phone, throw it on the ground and stomp it into a million pieces.

His eyes met hers briefly while he listened to
whoever was on the other end. “Yeah, I got it. We’re on our way now.” He hung up, his face taking on a completely different emotion. No more easy going Slade; he looked downright scary. “We have to go.”

Jill followed him at a half run as his long legs ate up the distance to his bike after locking the warehouse. “Who was it?” She hop
ped on the back, grabbing on tightly since he was in a hurry. “Is someone hurt?”

His bike roared to life as he shook his head
. Grabbing her hands, he locked them together around his waist. “Hold on tight,” he ordered just before he flew out of the parking lot and onto the road.

******

Jax parked his bike and ignored the stares that always followed him. He didn’t even pay attention anymore. The Mayor’s office looked pretty busy as pencil pushers and lawmakers went in and out of the building. Jax, with his black boots, black jeans and white cotton tee definitely didn’t fit in with the suits walking past him. No one could see behind the dark sunglasses that he was assessing the situation with a precision that would surprise most, because he just looked like an ordinary biker.

Jax Wheeler was the best interrogator the Vampire Council had ever had. He was on the top and had been for years. Not only could he make people talk, he knew without a doubt when they were lying. He was never wrong and it usually only took him a very short time to break someone holding valuable information. That is why Sloan was sending him to see their Mayor
. The man who was trying and succeeding in bringing back concentration camps. Men like this started wars and it looked like another war was on the horizon and one humans may just lose.

Walking into the Mayor
’s office, he headed for the desk where a dark haired woman sat typing on a computer. “Is the Mayor in?” He knew he was because he saw his car parked in the Mayor’s special parking place.

“Yes, he is.” She smiled up at him, her eyes growing wide as she got a good look at him.

“Good.” He headed toward the closed door.

“Sir, you need an appointment.” She stood
, flustered.

“I just made one and I
’m here.” He opened the door and walked in. The Mayor sat behind his desk, his head thrown back as his hand moved up and down disappearing behind his desk. Jax spotted a pair of high heels sticking out beside the desk.

Slamming the door hard made the Mayor jump
and then scream in pain as a woman, who he figured was the one and only Alice, jumped up from between his legs. “You bit me!” The Mayor’s voice was shocked as he looked down into his lap.

“You must be Alice.” Jax couldn
’t help saying; how ironic he was just talking about her talented mouth.

“How dare you just barge in here?” Alice hissed
, fixing her dress suit.

Jax didn
’t answer. He simply wiped at the corner of his own mouth, indicating she should do the same. He then ignored her, looking at the Mayor who was still inspecting his dick. “If you’re going to be getting your political dick sucked on taxpayers’ time, then maybe you should lock your door.”

“Jesus, I
’m bleeding.” The Mayor cried out, grabbing some Kleenex off his desk and wiping furiously. “Alice, get him the fuck out of here.”

Alice
’s face turned ugly as an evil grin showed her fangs. “It will be my pleasure.”

Jax reached up lifting his sunglasses, his golden eyes stopping her in her tracks. “That may not be as easy as you think
, my cock sucking little gold digger.”

“Another Warrior?”
she spat, her eyes narrowing.

“American Native Warrior who takes great offense at what you are trying to do
,” Jax’s voice turned deadly.

“Trying?” Alice laughed, her eyes flashing toward the Mayor who had finally stood. “We have succeeded and you rudely interrupted our celebration.
The roundup is beginning as we speak.”

Jax kept his composure and was damn proud of that fact. “You do realize what you have done.” His attention went
to the Mayor.

“Of course we do
,” Alice answered.

“I wasn
’t talking to you, whore,” Jax sneered, glaring at her. “My name is Jax Wheeler.”

“How dare you talk to my fiancé
e like that?” the Mayor huffed, outraged. “I’ll have you arrested.” He went to pick up the phone, but Alice’s eyes widened in fear, making Jax sneer turn into a deadly grin.

“I see you
’ve heard of me.” Jax took a step toward her. “I’ve already figured you out. Now it’s time to let your plaything know exactly who he is dealing with.”

“Don
’t fuck with me.” Alice leaned closer, her words hissed for him alone.

“
I don’t take sloppy seconds, bitch, so no worries there,” Jax hissed back. “And from what I’ve heard, every Warrior’s dick has been down that throat. How does politician dick compare to Warrior dick?” This he said loud enough for the Mayor to hear.

“Alice?” The Mayor looked back and forth between the two.

The look Alice tossed Jax should have worried him, but it didn’t. She threw her head into her hands crying as if her heart had been broken. “How can you let this man talk to me that way?” she said between sobs. “Oh, my God. No one has ever been so cruel, and for you to even think what he says is true. I love you, Tom, more than my own life.”

Jax cocked his eyebrow watching the show. Hell, even if he was the dumbest son of a bitch on the planet
, he never would have believed this fake-ass act. Obviously, the Mayor was the dumbest son-of-a-bitch on the planet because he ran to her side. Jax edged toward the desk, his eyes scanning anything that could tell him the location of the camps. A paper with what looked like a golden seal caught his attention and there it was. He memorized it and then looked away.