Jared

Chapter 25

“Crap.” Tessa snapped her phone closed with a curse tossing it on the bed. Rubbing her temples, she walked around the room trying to think. The week she had been here had been bliss. Waking up next to Jared Kincaid had certainly been a highlight, but she needed to get back to reality. She was about to lose her grandfather’s house and that was not even an option. As much as she hated leaving her little dream world she needed to get things taken care of. Grabbing her phone off the bed, she tossed it in her purse heading for the door.

“Hey, I was just coming to see you.” Adam met her in the hall.

“You good?” Tessa had noticed since the night he had a double date with Angelina and her friends his smile had been slow to make an appearance. She knew something was up, but was trying to give him space. He was a man now and she needed to cut the strings so he could make his own way. Not an easy task for her.

Adam shrugged his shoulder. “Yeah.” He glanced at her purse. “Where you going?”

She thought about lying, but she had never lied to her brother before and she wasn’t about to start now. “The bank is going to start foreclosure on the house.” She sighed, feeling a little better letting that off her chest, but hated to unload it on her brother.

“I’ve got a little money.” Adam reached around for his wallet. “We can’t lose Gramp’s house.”

“Keep your money Adam. I’ve got ten days to come up with the rest.” She really didn’t want to take his money. He’d done enough. “I have most of it, just a little short.”

“How short?” Adam frowned, holding his wallet in his hand.

Tessa thought about the bridesmaid dress hanging in Jared’s closet. “Just a couple hundred.”

“I’ve got seventy-five.” He opened his wallet taking the money out.

“No, you might need it.” Tessa pushed the money back at him. “I’ve got it, okay. We won’t lose the house.”

“Jared said after I get through training and join with the Warriors I’ll get a salary.” Adam reassured her. “I’ll be able to help out more.”

Tessa really wanted to cry, just fall on the floor and throw a big crying fit. Her brother should be in college, but that hadn’t been his fate. “How’s things going with Angelina?” Tessa asked, instead of breaking down into tears.

“Don’t know. Haven’t talked to her since we went out last weekend.” Adam shrugged his shoulders.

“Why not? I thought things were going good between you two.” Tessa frowned. “She has always had such a crush on you Adam and she’s so nice.”

Adam’s eyes darkened. “What do I have to offer her sis?” He threw his arms out wide. “Look at me. I have no job because everyone is afraid to hire a half-breed, I’m not going to college so my future is unsure and she can do so much better. Deserves better.”

“Bull crap.” Tessa shoved him. “There isn’t anybody out there better for her than you.”

“You’re my sister, you have to say that.” Adam rolled his eyes.

“No…because I’m your sister I tell you when you’re being a dumb ass and you’re being a dumb ass.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “And if you don’t stop rolling those eyes at me I’m going to smack them right out of that thick head of yours.”

A small smile broke out on his face. “You can try.” He teased. “If you think you can.”

With a quickness that surprised Adam, Tessa punched him in the stomach then kissed him on the cheek when he doubled over. “You need to make it right with Angelina before you lose her for good.” She didn’t even turn to look at him. “You’re lucky she’s waited this long, but I bet she has a line of guys just waiting for you to screw up again.”

A low growl escaped Adam’s throat surprising him. “It’s none of my business if she does.”

“Yeah, sure sounds like you don’t care.” Tessa grinned walking away. “Don’t let her go Adam. I think this one you’ll regret.”

Tessa didn’t wait for him to answer, but walked away. He had to make his own choices now even if she thought he was making the wrong ones.

********

Jared hated leaving Tessa in bed alone, but it was noon and he couldn’t put his responsibilities any longer. Walking into the main room he groaned. Levi making his way inside looking at his watch. Maybe, just maybe if he stopped Levi wouldn’t notice him.

“Where’s the little human?” Levi spotted him then looked around.

Seemed like this day was going to start out in the shitter. “What are you doing here?” He continued to walk past him, ignoring his interest in Tessa. He knew Levi and knew the a*shole just wanted to get him fired up.

Levi glanced down the hall he had been heading to a half grin tilted his lips before he wiped it away. “Didn’t Sloan text you?”

Jared stopped. “No.” He looked at his phone to double check.

“We have a meeting in about...” Levi glanced at his watch “two minutes. We’re meeting in the pool room.”

Suspicion brightened Jared’s eyes. The only purpose for the pool room was for them to unwind away from their work by shooting pool or watching the large screen TV. “We never have meetings in the pool room.”

“Hey, that’s what my text says.” Levi held up his phone offering it to Jared.

Jared hesitated for a second before turning and heading toward the pool room. Hearing footsteps coming from the opposite direction Levi looked that way. An evil grin played across his lips as Tessa rounded the corner. “Easier than I ever thought. Must be my lucky day.”

********

Making it to the main room, Tessa sighed. She always got lost in this damn place. Seeing Levi she groaned, but kept moving forward.

“You lost?” He cocked his eyebrow giving her a friendly smile.

Tessa eyed him for a second wondering what was going on. This guy had never hid the fact he didn’t like her and she knew a fake smile when she was flashed one. “I’m going to see my grandfather and I get turned around in here.” Tessa replied, unease in the pit of her stomach.

“Your grandfather is a delightful man.” Levi said with his fake smile still in place. “He’s down that hall, third door on the right.”

“Thanks.” Tessa eyed him still wondering what was up. “Well, that was odd.” She murmured to herself.

Counting the doors she thought the area looked familiar. Finding the third door closed she quietly opened it not wanting to wake him if he was napping. Peeking in, her heart dropped to her stomach with such painful force she took a step back. Inside, against the pool table was Jared bent over a woman, her hands clawing at his back. Stunned, Tessa backed away letting the door close quietly. Shocked and hurt beyond belief she made her way back the way she came only to come face to face with Levi.

“What’s wrong?” It was evident by the cocky smirk he knew exactly what was wrong. “Didn’t you find him?”

The familiar heat of humiliation burned through her body. She knew what he had done. He had sent her to that room for the purpose of hurting her and damn him, it worked. “Why do you hate me so much?”

Her question set him back, the grin faded. “It’s nothing personal.” His eyes narrowed. Tessa forced herself to give him a small smile. “That was as personal as it gets a*shole.” Not wanting to stick around any longer she turned, walked out the door with her head held high. Inside she had died, on the outside she was steel.

********

Jared pushed Vicky away wiping his mouth. “Shit.” His gaze landed on her neck. “Damn Vicky, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so rough.”

“You shouldn’t wait so long to feed.” She took the bar towel he handed her to clean up with.

He answered with a nod, his eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here?”

“Levi called saying he needed to feed and to show up here.” Vicky gave him her sexy smile. “Damn glad I did. I’ve missed you Jared.” Her full lips went from sexy to pouty in a second flat.

Stopping her hands from pulling up his shirt, he frowned down at her. “Since when has Levi been feeding from you?”

“Jealous?” She tried to pull her hands away, but he held tight. “You know you’re my fave.”

“Answer the question.” His tone was hard, indicating he wasn’t playing.

“This is the first time he requested me.” Vicky frowned. “Now stop talking. I’ve missed you.”

Jared watched Vicky slowly unbutton her shirt. She was a sexy beautiful woman no doubt, but he felt absolutely nothing for her. “Stop.” He growled, grabbing her hands to keep her from stripping off her shirt. “It’s not going to happen.”

Anger flashed across her face until she saw him, really saw him. “It’s the redhead.” She quickly re-buttoned her shirt. When he didn’t answer, she smiled. “Oh my God! The famed Warrior Jared Kincaid is whooped.”

Cocking an eyebrow at her, he crossed his arms across his chest. “Whooped?”

“Yeah, whooped.” Vicky laughed. “You know I should be pissed, but I’m not. I like her.”

“Do you now?” His eyebrow rose higher indicating he thought she was full of it and lying through her pretty white teeth.

“Yeah, I do.” Vicky paused, her brow wrinkled in thought. “She’s scrappy.”

Jared chuckled. “Yes, she is.”

“Don’t get me wrong. I was jealous as hell when I first saw her. I felt the attraction between the two of you, but the way she stood up to Alice and me, I respected that.” She leaned up giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“So, no problems like Alice gives Damon and Nicole?” Jared wasn’t totally convinced.

“Alice is a bitch.” Vicky replied, then pointed to herself. “I’m the nice one. I’ve got more pride than that, honey and there’s more warriors out there to choose from. I don’t need to chase a man who doesn’t want me.”

“Thank you.” Jared bowed his head to her. “Any man would be lucky to have you.”

“Damn straight.” Vicky laughed. “Just be happy Jared Kincaid. If you need to feed just give me a call, but don’t wait so long next time.”

“Appreciated.” Jared watched her walk out the door his mind switching quickly to Levi. What was the little bastard up to? His meeting with Vicky in the pool room was not a coincidence.

Flipping his phone he dialed and held it to his ear. “I need you to find Levi, bring him and Adam to the pool room.” Jared grinned into the phone. “Sid, you’ve always been my bitch. Just do it a*shole.”





Teresa Gabelman's books