Sloan (The Protectors Series) Book #9 (8 page)

“I have no doubt,” Sloan replied, his eyes on her ass as it swayed with each swipe of the cloth. He also had no doubts that he would be having that sooner than later, no matter how long he fought it. He was a smart man and knew where this was headed; he just didn’t know where it would lead and that was stopping him from grabbing her right then.

“How long does it take?” Becky had turned around and was looking at him.

“What?” Sloan’s eyes rose to meet hers.

“You know.” She waved her cloth toward the bathroom.

“Feeding?” Sloan’s eyebrow rose. “Only a few minutes unless….”
Shit.
He stopped himself.

“What?” Becky pried. “Unless what?”

“Nothing.” Sloan cursed, knowing she wasn’t going to drop it. “Feeding between two people who have an attraction to each other can be….”

“Sexual?” Becky added, her eyes widened. “Interesting. So do they have an attraction?”

“How the hell should I know?” Sloan griped. “I don’t keep track of my Warriors’ love life shit.”

“I think they do. I mean, Blaze is one hell of a man and she is so cute. They’d make an adorable couple.” Becky had ignored his pissy reply. “My bathroom’s pretty small though.”

Before Sloan could reply, which he was ready to do because he did not like her saying Blaze was one hell of a man like she wouldn’t mind having him in her bed and that pissed him off, Blaze and Katrina appeared.

“Well, that was fast.” Becky actually looked disappointed.

Sloan was ready to get the hell out of there. She was confusing the fuck out of him and he was ready to do or say something stupid.

“You ready?” he asked Blaze, who nodded. Then Sloan looked at Becky. “Is there anything else you might need?”

“Nope, I think we’re good. We’ll just get to know each other. Maybe call on some animals, because how cool is that.” Becky gave him a teasing grin.

“Stay out of trouble,” Sloan warned, walking out the door behind Blaze.

“How much trouble can two redheads get into anyway?” She looked over and winked at Katrina. “We’ll be fine. See you tomorrow.”

“So about this power you have?” Becky’s voice carried out to Sloan and Blaze.

Both men looked at each other, shaking their heads. “This may have been a bad idea.” Sloan frowned, getting on his bike.

“Guess we’ll find out soon enough.” Blaze looked back at the house before mounting his bike, backing out, and taking off.

Sloan glanced once more to see Becky watching him from the door. Surprise filtered through him at how quickly things were escalating between him and the redhead. For once it wasn’t just about sex. Revving his bike, he took off, hurrying toward the road where he could let loose, wondering if he could outrun his feelings.

Chapter 14

It didn’t take long for Becky and Katrina to hit it off. Katrina was softly spoken, very intelligent, and funny. It was getting late so Becky started closing the windows and locking up. The bar across the street was packed even on a week night, but that was nothing new for Becky, though she noticed Katrina kept looking out the window that way.

“You get used to the noise.” Becky smiled at Katrina. “Sometimes when they have a good band it’s kind of nice. I go over there sometimes to do karaoke, which is fun.”

“I’ve never done karaoke before.” Katrina looked away from the bar.

“Seriously?” Becky walked over and sat in the chair across from Katrina, who sat on the couch. “Are you twenty-one yet?”

“No, not for a couple more months.” Katrina seemed to finally relax, pulling her bare feet under her.

“We are going to have to go over one night during karaoke.” Becky’s voice rose in excitement. Her friend list had diminished when she and Frank divorced. It was especially nice to talk to someone of her gender. “You can still get in, but you can’t drink.”

“That’s fine. I don’t drink anyway.” Katrina glanced away, looking uncomfortable.

Becky knew something in the girl’s past haunted her. She didn’t want to pry, yet she wanted her to know that she had a friend. Everyone needed someone.

“Katrina, know that if you ever need to talk, I’m here.” Becky gave her a reassuring smile. “I know what’s it like when you don’t have anyone to talk to.”

Katrina swallowed hard as she nodded. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Becky replied, standing up. “Now, what can we do? I’m not tired enough to go to bed. What about you?”

“I don’t sleep.” Katrina shrugged, then laughed at Becky’s expression. “Don’t worry, I don’t expect you to stay up with me.”

“You know I’m still getting used to the vampire stuff, so bear with me,” Becky admitted with a laugh, then glanced at Katrina. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Doesn’t it freak you out just a little to survive on blood?” Becky asked, then cursed herself for asking after seeing the look on Katrina’s face. “Hey, I’m a dumbass. Don’t answer that.”

“No, it’s fine.” Katrina actually laughed. “It’s not bad if it’s from the right person.”

“Oh.” Becky’s eyes popped open. “So say like… Blaze being that right person.” Becky wiggled her eyebrows up and down.

Katrina shrugged, embarrassment flashing across her face. “Maybe.”

“Damn, girl. You’ve got taste.” Becky nodded in full agreement. “That man is one fine piece of maleness.”

“So is Sloan,” Katrina shot back with a knowing grin.

“That obvious, am I?” Becky didn’t even try to deny her attraction to Sloan Murphy. Hell, what woman wouldn’t be attracted to that man? “And you’re absolutely right. We both have superb taste in men. After my divorce I told myself no men, but that went right out the damn window.”

“Blaze is just being nice,” Katrina added quickly. “He would do it for any of the other trainees.”

“I seriously doubt that.” Becky snorted, but left it at that. “So, how about getting into some trouble?”

“I think I’m already in trouble,” Katrina replied, but grinned. “Like what?”

Becky thought for a moment. “Well, there aren’t many animals around here, but I really want to see what you can do.”

“I honestly don’t know exactly what I can do.” Katrina frowned, sitting up straighter. “I’ve always been drawn to animals and then when I was turned into a half-breed, it intensified. And now it seems like I can understand them and they can understand me.”

“You’re freaking Snow White.” Becky clapped her hands together, then stopped. “No, wait. Snow White had the dwarfs. Cinderella had the mice and birds around her, not to mention the handsome prince which Blaze fills in quite nicely.”

Katrina laughed, shaking her head. “I’m no Cinderella.”

“I bet none of the other trainees have powers like that.” Becky’s grin turned mischievous. “I think during our free time we should hone that skill you got, Ms. Dolittle.”

“You’d help me?” Katrina asked, a hopeful, excited expression lighting her face.

“Hell yeah, I’ll help you.” Becky grinned, glancing at the clock. “Sleep is overrated anyway. Plus, my life is so boring I need some excitement. Since my son turned teenager, and mom was no longer cool, I’ve been bored to death. Now he’s a man in college, I need some excitement.”

“Let’s do it.” Katrina stood. “I’ve been wanting to do more but have been afraid.”

Becky stepped into her shoes and grabbed her keys. “I know exactly where to go. It’s not far from here.”

“Can we take the scooter?” Katrina asked, her eyes widening and a pleading look on her face. “I saw it the first day you came to work. I’ve always wanted to ride one.”

Becky thought about it for a second. Ah, hell. What harm would it do? Sloan would never find out anyway. Plus she wasn’t alone. She had a vampire with her who could control animals. What could happen?

******

After leaving Becky’s, Sloan and Blaze patrolled the area, going to two empty buildings right up from her house. Searching through one of the abandoned buildings for any rogue vampire activity, Sloan frowned. Old blood had soaked into the carpet. The metallic smell had hit them when entering the building.

“You find anything?” Blaze asked, walking into the room.

“Definitely some activity here.” Sloan cursed. “No body, so I’m thinking they either hid it or we have another new vampire running around.”

“I didn’t find anything, so hopefully it was just a single incident.” Blaze glanced down at the stained carpet. “Doesn’t look recent.”

“Probably isn’t. This property hasn’t been checked for a while.” Sloan frowned, hating the fact they were losing the war. Rogue vampires still ran rampant. Crimson Rush was still an issue. Though the selling of children had diminished some, it was not enough to ease his peace of mind. And there was always someone wanting to take down the Warriors. They didn’t have enough Warriors to search every abandoned building, and rechecking them took months as the bad guys moved to new buildings.

“No, but these boarded-up buildings are breeding grounds, literally.” Sloan headed out of the room with Blaze following until they were outside.

“When’s the new Warrior starting?” Blaze kicked over a mattress to check underneath.

“Next week,” Sloan replied, looking over at Blaze. “So when are you going to let me reinstate you to Warrior status?”

“Never,” Blaze replied without looking at him, his voice final.

“Not making it easy on me to do the paperwork.” Sloan grimaced, wishing Blaze would just forget about the past and move on, but that probably would never happen.

“Well, guess it’s a good thing you got a secretary now to handle that for you,” Blaze added with a sideways glare, making it clear he was done with the conversation.

Before Sloan could say another word, a familiar sound hit his ears. “You have got to be shitting me.”

Blaze followed him toward the street. “What?”

Both men stood watching as a bright pink scooter passed them with two very familiar redheads laughing and talking loudly as they passed. Without saying a word, they hurried around the corner to where their motorcycles were parked, both furious.

Chapter 15

Becky pulled into the small park and noticed the gate was closed. Glancing around, she didn’t see any cameras. There were no cars out and about this late, so she went around the gate, which was easy to do on a scooter, totally ignoring the CLOSED AT DUSK sign. She turned out her single headlight and headed toward Licking River. Stopping, she parked and hopped off, waiting for Katrina.

“Wow.” Katrina looked around. “This place is so pretty.”

Nodding, Becky grinned, looking around also. “I come here a lot to fish or sometimes just to think. The boat ramp gets pretty busy during the weekends and during the day, but other than that you can find a spot along the river.”

A large owl swooped down toward them then flew into a tree. Becky followed it with her eyes, staring at the beautiful creature. It’s large round eyes stared back down at them.

“Oh, my God,” Becky whispered. “Did you do that?”

“I heard him when we got here and ask him to join us,” Katrina whispered back.

“Tell it to fly to that tree,” Becky whispered again, not wanting to alarm the owl. Suddenly the owl’s head turned and it pushed off the branch, flying to the tree Becky had pointed to. “Holy crap!”

Katrina laughed, a proud smile on her face. “I can really communicate with them.” She sighed, glancing at her surroundings. “I’m not crazy.”

Soon they were surrounded by two deer, one buck, three rabbits, a possum, and a grumpy raccoon. Becky felt she was on an episode of the
Twilight Zone
. It was unreal.

Glancing at the two doe, Becky bit her lip. “Can I touch them?”

“Yes, but go slow,” Katrina warned her.

Becky reached out, her fingers touching the softness of the doe. She couldn’t believe she was surrounded by wild animals so close she could reach out and touch them all, and was actually stroking one like a pet. Her eyes went to the river.

“You think it works with fish?” Becky glanced back at Katrina.

“I can try.” She walked to the edge of the water, the animals following.

The raccoon swiped at Becky’s leg with its claws. “Hey, Ricky, watch it.” She scolded the masked bandit who chattered at her.

Making it to the river’s edge next to Katrina, Becky’s eyes widened. The water rippled frantically as fish of all sizes swam near the edge around Katrina.

“Damn, what I wouldn’t give for a fishing pole and worm right now.” Becky laughed, kneeling down. A huge catfish swam in front of her.

“They don’t like that.” Katrina frowned.

“What?” Becky asked halfheartedly, her gaze returning to the fish. It was as if they were having a spawning party.

“Fishing.” Katrina’s voice was sad. “It hurts them.”

“Oh.” Guilt formed in Becky’s chest as the large catfish stopped in front of her. “And the worm?”

“Hates it even more,” Katrina replied, then laughed when Becky’s head snapped up to her, shocked. “Kidding. I haven’t connected with any worms yet, but I’d imagine getting stuck on a hook, dangling in the water, and then getting eaten isn’t pleasant.”

“Guess you have a point.” Becky’s eyebrows rose. On her hands and knees, she glanced over to see Ricky the Raccoon staring at her. “Is he going to bite me?”

“No.” Katrina chuckled. “We are interrupting his ‘garbage can’ time though.”

“Ah.” Becky nodded in understanding, looking back at the large raccoon. “Sorry about that, Ricky my dude. Go ahead with your bad self.”

The animal stared at her for a second before turning and wobbling away.

“Holy shit!” Becky sat back on her heels. “Did he just understand me?”

“Maybe.” Katrina laughed.

“Well, this is awesome.” Becky turned to look back at the lake. “Thank you for letting me be a part of thi— Oh. My. God!” Becky came face-to-face with a snake who had slithered up from the water. Her scream scared the fish, making them jump, splashing her with river water right in the face, soaking her.

Becky scrambled to her feet, turned to run, and smacked into a solid something. When she tried to move around it, hands grabbed her arms just as bright lights lit the area.

“Police!” voices shouted, filling the silence of the river. “Let the women go!”

Becky’s head snapped up to see who she was fighting against only to see Sloan glaring down at her. “I really think you try to piss me off.”

Becky opened her mouth to respond, but decided it wise to kept it closed. Seeing the look he threw her, she was certain she’d made the best decision.

******

Sloan and Blaze had stayed way back, wanting to see exactly what the women were up to. Parking their bikes off the road, they walked around the gate the women had ridden the scooter around. Both men scanned the area for possible danger.

Seeing the women, he watched a large owl swoop toward them then perch in a tree. He glanced at Blaze, who was also watching.

Sloan sent him a message so not to be heard by Katrina, and they stopped and watched. Soon animals edged toward the women and Sloan had to admit, he was amazed. Never had he seen anything like it.

Blaze glanced toward him, obviously stunned himself. A smile lifted the corner of Sloan’s mouth when he saw Becky arguing with a raccoon. He watched as the women moved closer to the river. Becky got down on her hands and knees. Sloan’s eyes followed her movement, stopping on her heart-shaped ass. With a silent curse, he pulled his gaze away to see the river rippling with activity.

A car door shut near the entrance and Sloan and Blaze turned. “We got company.”

Sloan nodded, then headed toward the women. As soon as they arrived behind Becky and Katrina, the animals sensed them and scattered. Becky suddenly let out a scream, scaring the fish, who jumped, spraying water everywhere. Sloan caught Becky as she turned to run. He spotted the snake and realized what had Becky fleeing.

“Police!” two men shouted behind them as lights lit the area. “Let the women go!”

His eyes met Becky’s. “I really think you try to piss me off.” He then gave her a warning look as she started to speak. “Handcuff her,” he ordered Blaze.

“I’m Sloan Murphy, VC Warrior,” Sloan shouted without turning around. “I suggest you put those guns away.”

Giving the officers a second, he turned his head to see that they had indeed put the guns away. Taking out his handcuffs, he looked back down at Becky. “Hands behind your back.”

“Are you serious?” Becky whispered, staring up at him.

“Very serious. You broke the law.” He turned her, then proceeded to handcuff her. When he turned her back around, his eyes went directly to her breasts underneath the white T-shirt. It was wet from the river. Her nipples poked toward him, making him want to—

“No, I did not.” Becky gasped.

“Last I checked, trespassing is against the law.” Sloan kept his eyes on hers and not any lower. “And the sign on the gate you went around clearly stated that the park closes at 9:00 p.m.”

“Sorry, we’ve had some complaints of assault down here,” one officer said.

Sloan raised his eyebrow at Becky, who looked away from his knowing look.

Do you need help?” one of the officers asked hopefully, his eyes raking over Becky’s body. “We could take her to the station and book her for trespassing.”

Sloan suddenly wanted to knock the fucker out. He knew his eyes had turned black because the cop took a step back. “I’ve got it,” he warned, then dismissed him and his partner.

“She’s not a vampire.” The cop didn’t heed Sloan’s warning. “Which means—”

“Nothing.” Sloan edged Becky behind him. “If you’d like to continue this bullshit, we can all go to the station and talk to the chief, who I can guarantee will take my side.”

The cop looked like he was about to argue the matter more until he quickly looked down and let out a feminine scream. The snake that had scared Becky was slithering up his leg.

“Let’s go,” he told his partner as they headed out.

“Nice.” Becky grinned at Katrina, who glared at the cops.

“Thank you,” she said, but her glare continued, her eyes dark.

Sloan was also watching Katrina. She didn’t trust cops, that much was evident. Becky pulled his attention away.

“Okay, they’re gone.” Becky turned, wiggling her fingers. “Can you take these things off me now?”

“No.” Sloan took her arm and started to lead her out of the park with Blaze and Katrina, who was also still handcuffed.

“But what about my scooter?” Becky tried to stop, but he kept pulling her along. “It might get stolen.”

“Good” was his only reply.

“Hey, no!” Becky finally stopped, jerking her arm out of his grip. “I’m not leaving my scooter.”

“What the fuck is it with you and that fucking deathmobile.” Sloan’s temper flared.

“It’s the only thing I own. It’s mine,” Becky finally said after a few minutes of silence.

And that small statement said so much about this proud woman. “Wait for us by the bikes,” Sloan instructed Blaze as he stared at Becky. With a sigh, he turned her and removed the handcuffs, watching her rub her wrists.

When she continued to look at the ground, he used his knuckles to raise her face up to his. Unshed tears made her eyes glitter in the moonlight. She was a beautiful woman, a beautiful, proud woman.

“I can’t leave it,” Becky whispered. “If something happens and this job doesn’t work out, then I would have no transportation. I refuse to live like that again.”

Sloan stared down at her with an urge to pull her into his arms. She looked vulnerable, yet strong. Her head tilted at a slight angle in either a strong stance or waiting to be kissed, he wasn’t sure which. Not really liking his thoughts, because he felt out of control, he cursed. “Ride the damn thing to where Blaze and Katrina are.” He then turned to walk away. She was going to drive him insane.

“Sloan,” Becky said, stopping him. “I don’t try to piss you off.” Her voice was strong and sure. “But it seems like that’s all I do.

Sloan slowed, but didn’t stop at her words. If he did stop, he would do exactly what he’d wanted to do since the moment he met her. He’d take her down by the river and fuck her, get her out of his system, as he did all women he found attractive. But he still had a little control over himself. He just didn’t know how long that control was going to last. To play it safe, he walked away, knowing his feelings went much deeper than a basic attraction. As she passed on the damn scooter, he watched as she went back around the gate, but slowed so she could look at the sign. He couldn’t help it, he chuckled. Damn, she was playing havoc with his emotions, and that was not good.