“Cut the bullshit, Steve.” Jill went to open the door, but Steve knocked her arm away.
“Angelina is naked!” Steve shouted then cringed.
Okay, that made Jill back up a step or two. “Why are you coming out of Adam’s room, when he isn’t there, and Angelina is naked?”
Steve pursed his lips together, pointed his finger at her, and rolled his eyes to the ceiling trying his best to talk his way out of this one.
“Listen, Steve,”—Jill pushed him out of the way—“your lying is going to get you killed one day because you absolutely suck at it.”
Looking over her shoulder talking to Steve about his lying, Jill opened the door to Adam’s room and walked inside. When she turned around and saw Angelina holding Adam up as she was leading him to the bed, her heart sank. “Oh, Adam.” Jill ran over to help Angelina. “No!”
“I’m okay,” Adam replied, but didn’t refuse their help. Once at the bed, he collapsed, throwing his hand over his eyes. “God, I hate throwing up.”
“Steve, get Slade,” Jill ordered, watching the worry flash across Angelina’s face.
“I’m fine. Just give me a minute.” Adam swallowed hard before peeking up at Jill then to Steve. “And dammit, Steve, I told you not to tell her.”
“Dude, I didn’t say a word.” Steve crossed his heart. “But damn she is ruthless with her questioning.”
Adam groaned and sat up quickly. “Fuck! Watch out!” Jill jumped out of the way as he ran to the bathroom with Angelina right behind him. The sound of retching echoed in the room.
“Go get Slade,” Jill told Steve as they shared a look. “And then me and you need to talk.”
Steve didn’t question, he just ran out the door. Jill sat on the edge of the bed, her stomach cramping at the sound of Adam heaving. The feeling of defeat weaved its way into her mind, but she pushed it back and welcomed the anger. This so wasn’t fair and it pissed her off.
Hearing the door open, she lifted her head, her eyes meeting Slade’s.
“Where is he?” Slade asked, but then the retching started again answering his question. Slade headed that way. Angelina walked out, her face a mask of fear. Standing, Jill reached over giving her a hug. “He’s going to be okay.” She tried to comfort Angelina, but it even sounded hollow to her own ears.
Once Slade got Adam back on the bed, he checked him out and took his blood. “I’m going to take more blood since you’re showing symptoms now. When did you feed?”
“Today,” Adam replied. Jill could tell he was trying not to gag. “And I’ve been sick ever since.”
Slade was in the process of taking his blood when Sloan entered. Jill and Steve stepped out in the hallway to give them more room. Jill pulled Steve further away.
“I need you to do something,” Jill said low enough not to be overheard.
“Anything.” Steve glanced at the room where more retching sounded. He looked on the verge of tears. Jill totally understood because she had been on the brink of tears for weeks.
“I need you to find out when the next City of Cincinnati council meeting is that’s open to the public,” Jill said, her mind going a hundred miles a minute.
“I think they’re all open to the public,” Steve replied, but nodded. “Okay. Yeah, I’ll do it right now. What are you planning, Jill?” Steve eyed her closely.
“I’m planning on living, Steve,” Jill answered. She then hugged him tightly before walking quickly away ready to set step two of her plan in motion.
*****
Two hours later, Jill stood outside of Sloan’s office. She was actually getting sick of being in Sloan’s office, but she couldn’t chance anyone hearing what she was about to do. Taking a deep breath, she walked in closing the door behind her.
Everyone who she asked to be there was present, even Adam, who looked like hell.
“Okay, Jill,” Sloan said from behind his desk. “We’re all here. What do you need to say?”
Jill prayed she could do this without crying. This was her family and she was going to do everything in her power to save them. She owed it to each of them. Her eyes touched upon Damon, Jared, Duncan, Sid, Adam, and then Slade, who looked at her with a question in his gaze. Taking a deep breath, she cleared her throat.
“As you guys probably already know, Slade and I are getting married.” Jill began nervously. She so didn’t know how this was going to go over and she was about to pee her pants with nerves.
“Jill, honey.” Sid sighed. “Are you sure you asked the right people here? I think you might be wanting to talk to the women since that’s all they have been talking about.”
Her phone buzzed in her back pocket. “Sorry.” Jill grabbed her phone and looked at the message from Steve. Holy crap, this had better work.
“Jill.” Jared frowned. “Can we please get on with this? I have something I need to do.” A few grunts of agreement followed Jared’s statement.