Sloan (The Protectors Series) Book #9
SLOAN
BY
Teresa Gabelman
The Protectors Series
SLOAN
Copyright 2016 Teresa Gabelman
All rights reserved. The right of Teresa Gabelman to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. This is a work of fiction and any resemblance between the characters and persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
Gabelman, Teresa (2016-9-28). Sloan (THE PROTECTORS SERIES)
Kindle Edition.
Editor: Hot Tree Editing
Photo: www.istock.com
Cover Art: IndieDigitalPublishing.com
Contents
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Author Note
For The Readers
This book is definitely for you! As most of you know I had planned on having Sloan as the last book in the series. The messages and emails I received asking me to write Sloan’s book, but not to let it be the last in the series was so appreciated. So yes, this book is for you and I hope I have done it justice.
I promise more Warriors are on their way!
Chapter 1
Sloan leaned his head back, letting the steaming water beat against his worn body. Anyone who said a vampire couldn’t feel was dead wrong. While he couldn’t get an illness and he didn’t need sleep, his mind, however, was past exhaustion. Dealing with the same shit day in and day out was enough to drive a saint insane—not that he was a saint. Far from it. Even in the shower, he could hear his phone incessantly ringing. He had tossed it on the bed in the room he more or less lived in. Despite having a high-end apartment overlooking the Ohio River, he was rarely there. No, he pretty much lived in the tiny room off his office at the compound.
With a grunt, he squeezed his eyes closed and tried to block the ringing of his phone as he shut off the water. Grabbing a towel, he stepped out of the shower without drying off as his cell went silent. Relieved with the brief reprieve, he walked into the small room that consisted of an unused bed, some of his clothes, a table he threw his shit on, and that pretty much summed it up. His phone rang again. Tensing, he let it go to voice mail, something he was doing more of.
Sitting on the bed, he rested his elbows on his knees and stared at the ground, trying to muster whatever in the hell he could to walk out his door into the madness he was sure waited for him on the other side. Once again, he found himself wondering if he had made a mistake so many years ago. Should he have died rather than making a deal with the devil, as that was what it seemed like? His life consisted of protecting others. Though deep inside, he knew his team were slowly losing that battle.
No one knew his feelings. None of his Warriors would ever know his feelings. He lived them alone, keeping them hidden; he was very good at doing just that. Finally lifting his head, he stared at the door as his body dried in the cool air. Maybe today would be different; maybe today they would make a difference in the war he and the others had agreed to fight. Not only was he in charge of the Cincinnati Chapter of Warriors, but he was also the eldest council leader. That meant everything went through him. It was too much for one man to handle, but handle it he did. He expected nothing less from himself and neither did the rest of the council or the Warriors who served under his leadership.
He felt old. Hell—who was he kidding?—he was old. Being turned at thirty-eight, he’d thought at that time he’d been too young to die yet, and being in a thirty-eight-year-old body did not help his aging mind. Sloan chuckled at his thoughts; he was slowly going insane.
Hearing voices, he grabbed his jeans. With a curse, he stood and tugged them on, dried off his short dark hair, and then wrapped the damp towel around his neck. Snatching up one of his many black T-shirts, he opened the door, once again hoping the day would be different than the last.
The sight before him pretty much summed up his reality—it was going to be the same shit, different day routine. Sid sat in a chair with his feet propped up on his desk as Damon stood against the wall with his arms crossed, looking pissed off as usual. Jared was texting wearing a goofy-ass grin, indicating it was probably Tessa he was messaging, while Duncan worked through a file, focused and serious. Sloan’s gaze moved to Adam, who looked bored but gave him a nod. His eyes finally landed on Jax, who sat with Caroline on his lap as they whispered to each other.
“It’s six thirty in the fucking morning.” Sloan’s voice broke the silence as he eyed each one of them. “What in the hell are you doing in my office?”
“Rise and shine, boss.” Sid grinned, his feet rocking back and forth on Sloan’s desk.
“Get your fucking feet off my desk,” Sloan said with a growl, his eyes narrowing.
“Never were a morning person, were you?” Sid smiled but dropped his feet to the ground.
Caroline stood with a bright smile. “I don’t know what they’re doing here.” Caroline frowned at the group. “But I’m here to make sure Becky feels comfortable.”
Sloan’s eyes shot to the small desk set up in the back corner of his office. Fuck! “Today isn’t a good day,” he didn’t hesitate to say, but once his eyes met Caroline’s, he knew he was fucked. Today was going to be the day, whether he liked it or not.
“She’s probably already on her way here.” Caroline crossed her arms over her chest, trying to appear intimidating, but it just made her look cute. “You’ve already postponed her start date twice, Sloan. She needs a job, this job. And you need help.”
Sloan snapped the towel from around his neck and slammed it on his desk. “No, what I need is for you guys to get the hell out of my office.”
Ignoring him, Caroline walked beside his desk near the wall where Damon stood and stared down at the floor where stacked files leaned precariously. “So, if I were to ask you for something, you could pull it out of that”—she pointed to the files—“without a problem?”
“Of course.” Sloan didn’t hesitate, yet he knew he couldn’t. He didn’t even know what was in half those files because he hadn’t been through them.
Sid covered his mouth with his hand, coughing, “Bullshit.”
Sloan gave Sid a dangerous glare before his eyes went back to Caroline. “I have gotten along just fine without any help.”
“Just give her a chance, Sloan.” Caroline offered him an encouraging womanly smile. “If she doesn’t work out, fire her.”
“Oh yeah, and then I’ll have a distraught female crying all over the damn place.” Sloan put his shirt on with a growl. “This is a no-win situation for me, as usual.”
“Ah, man, stop being a Debbie Downer, dude.” Jared snickered. “You never know, you might get lucky and have a secretary with benefits.”
Caroline grabbed a file and smacked Jared with it. “That was a guy thing to say.”
“You know—” Sid began, but Sloan cut him off quick.
“No, I don’t fucking know and I don’t want to know anything you have to say.” Sloan sat, wishing like hell his phone would ring, but of course it was silent. Dammit, he couldn’t catch a break.
“I was just going to say we should all get out of here,” Sid continued as he stood.
“Now that’s the smartest thing I’ve heard anyone say so far,” Sloan murmured as his eyes took in his cluttered desk.
“So he can get dolled up for that sexy redhead secretary of his.” Sid had already headed out of the danger zone away from Sloan.
“I knew Sid didn’t have anything smart to say.” Jared snorted as the rest hid their grins.
Sloan rubbed his forehead, wishing for death; he even glanced at Damon, wondering if the big son of a bitch would just do him the favor of decapitating him. He’d even pay him. As those thoughts swirled through his head, his door opened and the voice he heard had him reaching to see exactly how much money he had in his wallet to pay Damon.
“I’m back, bitches.” Steve walked in the door, his smile spread across his face. “Miss me?”
******
Becky rushed around grabbing stuff and shoving it in her bag. She hated to be late and late she was going to be if she didn’t get her ass in gear. Running to the bathroom, she snatched her mascara, dabbed it in and out to get the black goo on the brush and then stabbed herself in the eye.
“Shit!” Becky stood frozen, one eye squeezed shut. “Dammit, that hurts.”
Finally able to open her eye, she wiped the black smudge off her face and continued at a slower pace. Once finished, she fluffed her hair, frowned, and then left the bathroom. It was as good as it would get. Caroline had said her position required casual dress, which was a good thing because casual was about all she had in her closet. Since her divorce, anything and everything that she could sell, she sold. Her main concern was to make sure her son was set for college, so he didn’t have to worry and he had a fair shot of getting his life started. It was slim pickings at her house, which was fine with her. She was finally content, except for the fact she’d struggled to find a job so she could continue to pay bills and eat.
Locating her bag and keys, she headed out and locked the door behind her. Once her bag was secured to her scooter, Becky hopped on and said a prayer it would start. When it did, she said another one for no rain. She wasn’t a religious fanatic, but prayers seemed to be about all the help she could get lately.
She had already ridden from her rental house to the VC Warrior compound three times to make sure she knew exactly how long it would take her. Twenty-five minutes wasn’t too shabby, as long as it didn’t rain, but on those rainy days, she didn’t know what she would do. She had sold her car to pay her bills and only had an old scooter to get her around. So far it had done its job. She didn’t have to hit any highways, but the bridge she had to go over into Cincinnati from Newport was going to be a scary experience during rush hour. She had only completed the trial rides late at night.
As she putted along the dark roads heading toward the river, Becky had time to think, and that wasn’t a good thing. Filled with nerves, she focused on not shaking because it made her weave. She couldn’t believe she was going to work for Sloan Murphy. He was an intimidating man, but just a man. Well, actually, he wasn’t just a man. He was a vampire. A highly acclaimed vampire, from what she had read and heard. But she had made it easier on herself. Even though he was probably the sexiest man she’d ever laid eyes on, she had already made a pledge to herself that if she got lonely and needed a relationship, she was going the girl route. No more men. It was lesbian all the way. She gave a definite nod at that thought as she approached the bridge.
Checking her mirrors, she merged with the traffic. A few drivers honked, another flipped her off as she slowly crossed the busy suspension bridge, known as the singing bridge because of the humming sound it made when driven across. The bridge spanned the Ohio River between Covington and Cincinnati. It wasn’t the safest route, but the fastest and she loved crossing it, except she was quickly changing her mind as the traffic whizzed by her.
Brake lights lit up in front of her and she slowed, keeping an eye on her mirrors to make sure the car flying up behind her saw her. Once stopped, she took a moment to look down. She could see the river through the bridge’s steel grate deck. Because she’d never crossed during busy times, she had never paused on the iconic bridge, made famous for its debut in the movie Rain Man. It made one feel insignificant, looking down and knowing that all that separated her from certain death was a steel grate.
The sound of a horn directly behind her had her looking up to see the traffic was moving. Once again she was on the move and becoming more nervous the closer she got to the VC compound.
Finally crossing the bridge safely, Becky breathed a sigh of relief, then headed down side roads that contained less traffic. Before she knew it, she was parking in front of her new place of employment. Reaching up, she went to take off her helmet and realized she had forgotten to wear it. Nausea hit her hard; okay, this wasn’t good. She had to get it together and make damn sure Sloan Murphy didn’t regret hiring her. Her forgetting something as important as her helmet was not a great start to a very important and life changing day for her. She was finally able to restart her life without her ex breathing down her neck. She’d have her own money and no one to tell her what to do with it. Yes, life changing, and she was more than ready. Nervous, but ready.
Unstrapping her bag, she looked up at the imposing compound. She had stepped inside only once before for her private interview with Sloan, but had been so nervous she hardly paid the building any attention. Putting her keys in her bag, she continued to stare as she headed up the steps to the door, then gracefully missed a step and tripped. Stopping, she closed her eyes, cursed, calmed herself, and then continued. At the door, she did a quick assessment of herself before reaching for the handle. When the door didn’t open with a twist of her wrist, Becky frowned. Glancing at her watch, she cursed again. She was only five minutes early. Raising her hand, she knocked and waited, and waited.
“Dammit.” Her stomach twisted and burned. She was going to give herself an ulcer if she didn’t chill out. She started to raise her hand again, but in her peripheral vision, she caught sight of a button. She had totally forgotten about the intercom system. Glancing up, she saw the camera—that she had also forgotten about—and knew without a doubt someone was watching her every move. Damn, the last time she was there, she really must have had her head up her ass. It was a surprise she was hired at all. Quickly she pushed the button.
“Yeah?” a deep voice finally echoed through the early morning, scaring the shit out of her.
“Ah, it’s Becky Spencer.” Becky’s voice wavered, making her roll her eyes and clear her throat. “I was told to be here this morning at seven.”
She heard the click of a lock. Stepping inside, she once again felt insignificant as she found herself alone in a large entryway. A door to her right opened, which she did remember was Sloan’s office, and out walked Caroline.
“You made it.” Caroline smiled, hurrying toward her.
Glancing at her watch again, relief filtered through Becky. “And right on time.”
“You’re fine.” Caroline waved her hand, dismissing her worry. “Come on. We have you all set up. Jill and I are going to give you the rundown, well, Jill mostly, but I’m here for support.”
“Thank you,” Becky said, meaning every word. She had been worried she was going to be left alone with Sloan right off. Discovering that wasn’t the case calmed her nerves somewhat, until she walked through the door that Caroline had exited. It was a full house, and everyone was staring at her.
“Becky, this is… everybody.” Caroline laughed with a shake of her head. She started to introduce the group as she pointed. “That’s Damon, Jared, Duncan, Jax, A
dam, Steve, and of course you know Sloan, Jill, and Slade. Sid ran off somewhere, but I’m sure you’ll see him soon enough since he’s always in trouble and in this office. You’ll also meet the mates sometime today, I’m sure.”
It was overwhelming to say the least. Each Warrior assessed her and she honestly didn’t know if she passed their assessment of whatever she was being assessed for. She felt it was safe to nod and smile, which she did before looking back at Caroline, who was frowning at everyone.
“Stop it!” She pointed first at them, before looking back at Becky. “I’ll definitely be teaching you how to block.”
“Block?” Becky knew she had to look as confused as she sounded.
“Yes, block.” Caroline led her toward the back of the room. “Because every Warrior in here is reading you right now.”
Becky had to think about that for a minute as Caroline led her to a small desk in the back corner of the room, then gasped. “You mean, they know what I’m thinking?”
Caroline nodded. “It’s annoying as hell, but you can block them.”
“How?” Becky needed the skill immediately.
“Well first off, think of a naked man,” Caroline said with a grin. She was loud enough for everyone to hear her. “That usually does the trick.”
“The only naked man you better be thinking about is me.” Jax cocked his eyebrow at Caroline from across the room.
Becky felt the blush rise from her neck, heating her face. Her eyes met Sloan’s, who was staring at her, his eyes giving nothing away. She quickly looked away repeating to herself that she no longer found men attractive.
Chapter 2
Sloan half listened to what was going on, his eyes shifting to his new secretary. His trust of anyone was limited to his Warriors, and that was a trust they had earned after many years. He didn’t get in her head because he hadn’t had to. His background check, private investigator as well as his own searching gave him more ease, but trust her… not even close.
Jill started to head over to help Caroline with Becky, but he stopped her. “This better not backfire,” he warned.