Chapter 24
Duncan and Jared walked into the warehouse stopping at the same time. “Do you smell that?” Jared frowned.
Pulling out his gun, Duncan nodded. “Check outside around the building. I got the inside.”
Duncan waited until Jared had left before letting his senses go. He felt nothing, but the smell of blood filled his senses. It wasn’t a lot, but it was there. Making his way slowly across the workout floor he headed toward the showers and the closer he got the tangy smell of blood grew stronger.
Opening the door to the showers, he quickly assessed and knew whoever had been there was gone. A familiar smell mingled with the blood making his muscles tighten with dread. The shower had been used and as he made his way toward it his boot hit the garbage can that usually sat against the wall. Picking it up he started dumping it in the sink. A low growl rumbled in his chest as he pulled out hair that was still wrapped in a rubber band. Next to the hair was a pair of pale pink panties smeared with blood. Holding Pam’s hair in one hand and her bloody panties in the other, his golden eyes flashed black as his head fell back and a roar of rage rattled every tile in the showers.
Jared burst into the room with Damon behind him in time to see Duncan winging the garbage can into the wall so hard it cracked the tile into a thousand pieces. His next target was the sink.
“Hey!” Jared went to grab Duncan’s arm, but stopped when Duncan turned on him, his eyes only seeing rage, not a friend.
Duncan lost all control, throwing Jared across the room where he slammed into the wall the garbage can had hit. Damon tackled Duncan, but ended up on the bottom doing his best to dodge the flurry of fists raining down on him.
“Duncan!” Jared rushed up pulling with everything he had, trying to break through the fury that had enveloped Duncan. An elbow slashed back hitting Jared in the face. “Son of a bitch!” Finally getting a grip on Duncan he pulled him off Damon pinning him to the wall.
“Get. The. F*ck. Off. Me.” Duncan was a man possessed. When he started fighting again, it took both Jared and Damon to hold him down.
Something kept slapping Jared in the face, but he couldn’t figure out what in the hell it was. Finally grabbing Duncan’s hand he pinned it against the wall he saw long raven black hair in his grasp. His eyes shot to Duncan’s and what he saw in his friend’s face would haunt him for a long time. Pale pink cloth caught his eye. A pair of women’s panties smeared with blood lay by Duncan’s leg. “Jesus.”
The fight slowly drained out of Duncan as he stared at Jared. “He hurt her.” Those words made him start struggling again. “The son of a bitch hurt her.” His roar, filled with so much rage and despair, filled the room.
********
Pam took a deep breath before rushing into the bridal shop. Flipping her hand to her hair she smoothed it down, blocked her mind and opened the door.
“Hey, bitches!” Pam went into Pam mode to hide her pain and fear. It wasn’t time to let everyone know what they needed to know. She needed a little more time. Her heart screamed for her to run to Nicole and beg for forgiveness, but her head reminded her that in order to put a monster away she had to be patient.
“I didn’t think you were coming.” Nicole frowned, staring at her hair.
“Just running late, but I’m here so let’s see these God awful bridesmaid dresses you picked out for us.” Pam winked at Tessa as she hugged Nicole then turned to hug Tessa.
“You cut your hair.” Nicole was still frowning.
“Ah, yeah.” Pam rolled her eyes. “I was getting tired of messing with it every day. Actually that’s why I’m late.”
“I like it.” Tessa broke the uncomfortable silence.
“It’s short.” Nicole walked around Pam looking. “And choppy.”
“It’s usually short after a haircut.” Pam sighed rolling her eyes. “I guess this is your way of saying it looks like shit.”
“No, I like it.” Nicole faced her again.
“But…” Pam raised her eyebrows waiting for her answer.
“I just know how much you loved your hair.” A small smile played on Nicole’s lips, but didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Well I needed something different and working with the kids so much it just gets in the way.” Pam lied and was so relieved when the sales lady came out with the dresses. Her knees wobbled when Nicole and Tessa looked away from her.
Tessa had watched the little scene between Nicole and Pam unfold and knew Pam was lying. She also knew Nicole was not believing any of it.
“Who wants to go first?” She held up two beautiful black dresses.
“Black?” Pam grinned at Nicole, happy to have her mind on something other than the shit storm her life had become.
“Figured I couldn’t go wrong with black.” Nicole shrugged, smiling back. “Hurry up you guys. I can’t wait to see them on you.”
Pam and Tessa both headed for the dresses. Tessa took hers, smiled at Nicole and headed for one of the dressing rooms while Pam headed for another. Closing the door Tessa held up the dress and just stared at it. It was beautiful. Quickly shedding out of her clothes she removed the dress from the hook and slipped into it, zipping the back as far as she could reach. The fit was almost prefect. Turning toward the mirror Tessa’s eyes widened. The tea-length strapless dress had a pleated bust with a sweetheart neckline and her breast bubbled up causing some serious cleavage and she wasn’t fully zipped yet. Biting her lip, she continued to stare turning this way and that. She wasn’t really use to showing this much cleavage, hell she wasn’t use to showing any cleavage.
Knowing she wasn’t going to get a true picture of what it was going to look like until it was zipped all the way up she opened the door. “Hey, can someone zip me?”
“Jesus!” Jared, who was leaning against the wall across from her dressing room, stood straight up, his golden eyes turning dark as they traveled over her body.
“What?” She covered herself self-consciously then frowned. “What are you doing here?”
He seemed to have recovered, his eyes narrowed. “Looks like zipping you up, which is totally against my instincts.” He cocked an eyebrow at her while backing her into the dressing room closing the door behind him. He took her arms away from her breast before turning her around to face the mirror.
Tessa shivered as his fingers made contact with her skin. The sound of the zipper and her shallow breathing were the only sounds in the room. Moving from the zipper his hands slowly made their way to her hair pulling it back over her shoulders. One hand curved under her chin to lift her face.
“Look.” His whisper caused her to shiver.
“Jared…I…” Her eyes moved from the floor to his golden eyes through the mirror.
“Look at yourself Tessa.” His eyes so intense made her body weak. “See what I see.”
Finally her eyes left his to land on his hand that cupped her chin, then to her eyes which were bright and wide, her cheeks were rosy with a blush from his attention. She watched his hand glide from her chin to clasp her neck, from there his light touch feathered across the top of her breasts. Her stomach tightened with need, her eyelids lowered from the pleasure of his touch.
“Watch me Tessa.” Jared ordered, his voice deepened, but still whispered. “See the pleasure I get from looking at you, from touching you. Nothing has pleased me more and as soon as you realize that the sooner you will stop hiding yourself from me.”
Tessa grinned at his words. “Habits are hard to break.” She sighed when his hand moved lower to cup her breast giving it a gentle squeeze. Looking up, the sight of him watching his own hand on her breast was more than she could take. In one swift movement she turned pushing him against the wall. Her body crushed against his as his hands moved to the zipper to undo his work. The zipper was half way down when a loud knock echoed through the small dressing room.
“Do you need help?” The sales lady politely called from the other side of the door.
Tessa pulled her lips from his, but couldn’t find breath to answer.
“She’s fine.” Jared’s voice was a little more harsh than he intended.
“Oh, ah…” The woman’s voice squeaked behind the door before her footsteps scurried away.
Looking up at Jared who was grinning, Tessa smashed her face into his chest trying to keep from laughing. “That was a little awkward.” She snorted, leaning away from him. “Guess I better get out there before she calls the cops thinking I’m being held against my will by some sex crazed vampire.”
“Are you?” Jared tilted her face to his.
“What? Being held by some sex crazed vampire?” She cocked her head, a tiny smile playing on her lips. “Yes. Against my will…..no.”
Leaning down, he took her lips in a slow deep kiss. “Good to know honey.”
Loud knocking broke them apart before Nicole burst through the door. “What the hell are you doing in here? You scared that poor woman to death. She thought Tessa was getting attacked in here and…..” Nicole looked at Tessa’s dress which was unzipped and dipping very low in the front. She turned to glare at Jared. “she would be right. Get the hell out of here Kincaid. My God, you Warriors are insatiable.”
Jared didn’t argue that fact as he watched Nicole turn Tessa around and zip her back up. Tessa tugged the neckline up, but Nicole pulled it down. “Sweetie if you got the goods flaunt it.” She turned Tessa toward the mirror. “And you got it girl. Absolutely perfect.” Nicole beamed looking at Tessa.
“Not that I don’t think she looks beautiful, but I do have a problem with that dress.” Jared’s gaze moved from her breasts to see both women frowning at him. “It shows too much and if you don’t want a bloody wedding I suggest you pick another dress for her to wear.”
“Oh, do you now?” Nicole’s hands flew to her hips.
“Yes….I do.” Jared’s tone was arrogant and final.
“Well, let me tell you something Mr. Warrior.” She moved poking him in the chest. “Don’t you pull that macho vampire Warrior crap on me because it won’t fly. This is the dress she is wearing so suck it up.”
“Are you done poking me?” Jared frowned down at her hand.
“Are you done being an ass?” She poked him again hard.
“Maybe.” Jared grinned, winking at Tessa.
“Get out of here and let her get dressed.” Tessa pushed him toward the door rolling her eyes. “You guys aren’t even supposed to be here.”
Jared turned so he was pushing Nicole toward the door. “I got a better idea.” He grinned down at her as he reached behind her opening the door to gently push her out then closed the door in her face.
“One of these days Kincaid.” She growled from the other side of the door.
Jared laughed loudly. He loved giving her shit. “Yeah…yeah…keep talking Vampira.”
Tessa reached around to open the door laughing at him and Nicole.
Grabbing her hand before she could open the door, Jared kissed her palm. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Kicking you out.” Tessa cocked her eyebrow. “I need to get dressed.”
Crossing his arms, Jared leaned against the door his cocky sexy grin in place. “Get dressed.” He nodded. “I’m sure not stopping you.”
Staring at him, Tessa felt her stomach tighten. Did she have what it took to give him a taste of his own medicine? Could she actually make him feel as twisted as he made her? Well, she was going to take a giant leap and prayed to God she didn’t fall on her face and embarrass herself.
Reaching around she grasped the zipper and unzipped it the rest of the way making the dress slide lower across her breast above her erect nipples. Glancing up, she noticed his arrogant grin had slipped a bit. His eyes were on hers, the passion flowing from those gorgeous golden eyes made her more bold. With one arm across her breasts holding the dress up, she slid the other hand to her waist to shimmy out of the dress. In no time at all she stood in front of him with the only sexy pair of underwear she owned and thank God, she wore them today. She seriously needed to go shopping.
“Jesus, you’re beautiful.” His eyes traveled her body, but he didn’t make a move toward her.
“You make me feel beautiful.” She whispered, her voice hoarse with need. “I’ve never felt this way before.”
Jared’s eyes turned intense. “I want to be the only man to ever make you feel this way. You’re mine Tessa Pride.” He crooked his finger at her and as if an invisible string connected her to his finger she made her way toward him.
A loud knock on the door startled Tessa, kicking her out of the spell she had been under. Her hands flew up to cover herself.
“Son of a bitch. I swear I’m going to kill someone.” Jared hissed pulling her behind him just in case the door opened. “What?!”
“Come on.” Damon called out. “We have to go. We’re late as it is.”
“You got a death wish don’t you?” Jared growled at the door.
A deep chuckle came through the door. “Payback’s a bitch ain’t it?”
Jared ran his hand down his face, sighing loudly before turning back to the most beautiful naked woman he had ever seen. Bringing her flush against his body he nuzzled her neck with a growl before reaching behind her on a small bench to grab her clothes. “Can’t believe I’m going to say this, but please get dressed.” He handed her the clothes. “I think it would actually kill me if I had to leave this room with you naked.”
Smiling, Tessa took her clothes. “You must have really been bad with Damon and Nicole.”
“I was a total bastard.” He chuckled then groaned when he watched her pull her clothes on. “Payback’s are a bitch.”
Tessa and Jared made their way to the front of the store hand in hand. Tessa held the dress out to the sales lady who blushed a bright red. “Thank you.” Tessa smiled also blushing. “It fits fine.”
“Great. Why don’t you follow me and I’ll go ahead and ring it up.” The woman led Tessa to the counter where she scanned the dress. “That will be two-hundred and thirty-five dollars.”
The price froze Tessa as she searched for her wallet. Glancing up at the register she wanted to throw up. Yep, she heard the woman right.
“Is there a problem?” The woman frowned.
Tessa glanced over at everyone who stood talking then back to the woman. “No.” Tessa flashed her a fake smile before digging into her purse. Taking out the money, she handed the woman part of her house payment. She needed to find a job and fast. Taking the receipt she shoved it in her purse and grabbed her purchase before thanking the woman.
Pam slammed out of the dressing room with Duncan hot on her heels. “What? You’re going back to him?” His tone matched the anger on his face.
Stopping suddenly, Pam rounded on Duncan so fast she dropped the dress. “You don’t….” Pam just stared up at him shaking her head.
Duncan reached up to touch her, but dropped his hand before making contact. “Don’t what?” His voice calmed slightly.
Pam’s eyes glanced around at the audience they were attracting. Bending down, she picked up the dress holding it close to her chest. “Stay out of my business Duncan.” She whispered before turning to hand the dress to Tessa holding back tears. “Tell Nicole I’ll come back later to take care of this.”
Tessa took the dress, but her eyes didn’t leave Pam. “Are you okay?”
Pam wouldn’t even look at Jared, could hardly look at Tessa. “No.” She turned to leave, but Jared grabbed her arm which she pulled away.
“We can protect you Pam.” Jared told her retreating back. Tessa swore she heard a sob escape Pam as she burst through the door.
Nicole walked up a few minutes later looking around. “Where did Pam go?”
“She left. She said she would be back to take care of this.” Tessa handed her the dress.
Looking at each of the Warriors Nicole frowned. “What the hell is going on?” When no one answered, she tossed her hand on her cocked hip. “I know something’s up because three Warriors standing in the middle of a bridal shop is not an everyday occurrence and I know you had Sid follow to watch us, soooo.”
The only Warrior that would look at her was Duncan. “What do you know about that bastard she is with?”
“Not much, why?” When nobody said anything, a worried expression replaced her frown. “He keeps to himself mostly and Pam never really talked about him. You guys are scaring me.”
Tessa looked at Jared who actually looked away from the questions in her eyes. This so wasn’t good.
Duncan walked past Nicole not taking his eyes off of her. “It should.”