"They're getting the area ready to build our new house." Jax put his arm around her, leading her toward a trailer that was parked away from where the house was being built. "The builder is just waiting for us to tell them what we want, and they're ready to start."
"You're building me a house?" Caroline felt the tears well up.
"No, we are building us a house." Jax leaned down, kissing her on the temple. "Now come on. We need to go over some plans so they can start, and then we have things to catch up on."
"What kind of things, Jax Wheeler?" Caroline smiled up at him.
"Well, for one, you becoming my mate." Jax looked into the distance as he spoke.
"What?" Caroline tugged on his hair to make him look at her.
"Will you be my mate, Caroline Fitzpatrick?" Jax had never sounded more sincere than he did at that moment.
"I would love nothing more than to be your mate, Jax." Caroline couldn't hold it in any longer, the tears came. She didn't care who was there or who was watching. She clung to him and kissed him like a starved woman, a happy woman who was finally getting what she wanted most, and that was Jax Wheeler.
"If we don't stop, we will never go in that trailer because I will take you home now." Jax growled down at her.
"Take me home, Jax." Caroline rested her head on his chest, her heart beating erratically. "That's the only thing I want to do right now. I want to become your mate before we do anything else."
Jax didn't argue. He led her to the truck, but Caroline stopped and turned, confusion dipping her brows. "Wait a minute." She looked back toward where her house used to stand, then to Jax. "Where exactly is home?"
"I've got it covered." Jax smiled, helping her into the car. "Trust me."
"Always." She smiled up at him, excited for their new start, and it was a new start for them. She had never asked what happened with Mika; she didn't care. The difference in Jax was incredible. He seemed happy and that was all she cared about.
As they drove away, Alisha watched them go with a smile on her face. She looked around, then up to the sky, and with a nod she began to fade.
******
Sloan wanted to just toss his whole desk out the window. "Fuck." He shuffled papers, but couldn't find what he was looking for. "Dammit…. Shit."
The knock on the door made him cringe, count to ten, and curse. "What?"
Jill peeked in. "Hey."
"Please do not beat around the fucking bush by saying hey." Sloan growled, his eyes narrowing on her. "Spit it out or get out."
"You remember when we had those interviews…?" Jill stopped speaking at Sloan's glare. "I mean, of course you remember. Well, you told Caroline that you would interview her friend."
"No, I did not." Sloan emphasized each word with a growl. If he were a smart man, he would beg Jill to get someone in there and pronto. He was busier than fuck and with the shifters getting crazy and trying to form their own council, he was drowning, but dammit, he didn't want anyone trying to help him.
"Uh, actually, you did… twice," Jill replied. "That day you… well, you didn't say anything so she took it as you saying yes. And then at the hospital, you said yes, which I heard."
"Me saying nothing at all does not mean yes." Sloan slammed his hand on his desk. "And at the hospital, she was so drugged up I seriously doubt she remembers that."
"Yeah, well about that… she does… remember." Jill looked everywhere in the room other than at Sloan. "She set up an interview for you."
"Well, cancel it." Sloan was not in a good mood and it was getting worse by the minute.
"It's a little late." Jill actually took two steps back. "She's here."
"You have got to be fucking kidding me." Sloan's eyes started to glow black.
"Um, nope… I'm not." Jill cringed, waiting for Sloan to blow.
"This is it!" Sloan pointed at her. "After this, no women other than the women who are already grandfathered in—"
"Grandfathered in?" Jill frowned.
"Yes, grandfathered in, meaning if you are already here, you're okay until you give me a reason to kick your bony ass out, which in your case is three strikes. And you are so close to that third strike." Sloan dropped his hand.
Jill just stared at him and he stared at her. "Uh, okay, are you going to finish?"
Sloan honestly forgot what the hell his point was, but he'd be damned if he let her know that. "Jill, let the damn woman in so she can get the hell out."
"Oh, yes, sir." Jill quickly headed for the door. "I really think you're going to like her."
"Jill!" Sloan warned, his patience very thin.
"Okay, okay." Jill frowned and opened the door. "You can come in now."
Sloan watched as the redhead he remembered from the day of hell Jill created walked in his office. He stood.
"Hi, Mr. Murphy." She stuck out her hand. "I'm Becky Spencer. I don't know if you remember me."
Sloan took her hand, careful not to hurt her as he shook it. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Spencer. Please have a seat." He left out whether he remembered her or not. He didn't have time for this shit. Even though she was damn well better looking than his Warriors that filled his office daily, he didn't want someone underfoot. It was his office, dammit. Before he could say he wasn't interested in a secretary, his phone rang. "I'm sorry, but I have to take this."
The woman nodded, her eyes never wavering from his.
"Yeah," he answered, and a frown quickly followed. "No, I haven't found it yet. I have nothing with a letterhead that looks like a skyline." Sloan rummaged around his desk again.
The woman reached out, grabbed a piece of paper, and held it up. "Is this what you're looking for?"
Surprise widened Sloan's eyes as he nodded and took it from her. "Yeah, just found it." Sloan glanced over at Jill, who gave him a thumbs-up. At his glare, she hurried out the door, closing it behind her. "I'm going to have to call you back, Gary."
Hanging up, he stared at the paper he had been searching for for over an hour, amazed that she had found it in three seconds flat.
"So, about that job." Becky gave him a bright smile.
AUTHOR NOTE
Yes, Sloan’s book is going to be next. No, this will NOT be the last book in the series. I have listened to you all and have decided to change my mind. You want Sloan and I feel Sloan is ready to be told.
The great thing about being an indie author and a woman is I can change my mind. HA! Thank you so much for having such powerful feelings about this series and know that I hear every single one of you who reach out. Because of you Sloan gets his story next and yes, he is grumbling about it. Oh, the things to be told…..
COMING SOON
‘Lee County Wolves’ Book #2
‘The Protectors Series’ Book #9 Sloan
Find out more about me and the Warriors at
www.teresagabelman.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Teresa-Gabelman/191553587598342?ref=bookmarks
Jax (The Protectors Series) Book #8 Page 20