Sid (The Protectors Series) Book #4

by Gabelman, Teresa

  She nodded, glancing at her mom and dad who were busy getting their things. “Don’t let anything happen to my sister.” Her eyes, so much like Lana’s, pleaded with him before she grabbed her things and walked out.

  Sid turned his head, watching her leave. This family was going through a hell no one deserved. Turning his attention back to Caroline, he walked toward her. Reaching out, he placed his hand on her small cool fingers. A quick flash of something blinded his vision, but then it was gone. He had hoped touching her would allow him to see something but she was totally shut off to him. Adam had that talent, and as soon as he found the pain in the ass he would be bringing him here.

  “It was nice meeting you, Caroline,” he repeated the words he had said to her family. He squeezed her hand and was surprised to feel a finger twitch. Frowning, he stared down at her hand.

  “You okay?” Lana walked up with her belongings.

  Knowing he wasn’t going to say anything, because he wasn’t sure that he’d felt anything and didn’t want to get Lana’s hopes up, he looked away from her sister.

  “Just saying goodbye,” he smiled down at her.

  Lana smiled back, gave Caroline one more kiss to the forehead, waved to her family one more time, and then walked next to Sid to the elevator. Sid noticed she didn’t even glance to see if the glass had been cleaned up, which it had. Thinking about Rod, Sid’s instincts kicked in and he became aware of everything. Rod looked stupid enough to hang around and he wasn’t going to be caught off guard.

  As soon as the door closed, Lana seemed to fold into herself. Her shoulders slumped; her eyes drooped as she leaned against the back wall of the elevator.

  “Lana, you okay?” Sid watched her closely.

  “Umm hum,” she mumbled, her eyes closed. “I don’t want to go home.”

  “Good.” Sid leaned back next to her. “Because I wasn’t taking you home.”

  Chapter 17

  Lana made it to the car. Thankfully, Sid was quiet on the walk there, because it was taking everything she had to hold her emotions back. Hoping not to see Rod, she had kept her eyes down, almost running into people, but Sid had wrapped his arm around her, leading her out the door without running anyone down.

  Once at the car, Lana stopped at the door waiting for Sid to unlock it. His hand slipped under her chin, pulling her face up to his. He didn’t have to say a word; just the understanding look in his eyes did her in.

  The first tear leaked from the corner of her eye, slipping down her cheek, and another followed from the other. Her lips quivered. “It should have been me,” she whispered from somewhere deep, her words so full of hurt. “I should be the one up there, not her.”

  Sid pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. “Let it out.”

  His words hit the most wounded part of her soul, making her hold onto him for dear life. For the first time since her sister’s accident, she didn’t cry alone, but held onto a Warrior who absorbed her pain as if it was his own.

  “It hurts so bad,” Lana cried the words into his chest. “She was getting married. Her dress is still hanging on the door in her room. It’s all she ever talked about when we were little girls. She wanted to get married, have a huge wedding, and I wanted to shoot bad guys.”

  Sid pushed her away enough to look down into her face. Using both hands, he tilted her face up to his. Sid gently rubbed her cheeks with his thumbs, wiping her pain away.

  “She was a school teacher for God’s sake. I’m the cop. I’m the one who faces danger all the time.” Lana’s tear-filled eyes looked up at him, searching for answers. “What made me ask her to do what she hated? Why did I ask her to take the risk?”

  “Life is a risk, Lana.” Sid’s eyes didn’t waver. “And being a school teacher is a risk with all the school shootings. You never would have knowingly put your sister in harm’s way.”

  “No, I wouldn’t,” Lana replied, stepping away from him and wiping her eyes. “But I did, and it’s one thing I don’t know if I can live with.”

  “Don’t even talk like that,” Sid raised her face to his, anger forming each word. “You have a family who has your back and loves you very much. They would be devastated if something happened to you.”

  Lana nodded, and then shook her head. Dammit, she was losing it. Pouring her heart out to Sid was unexpected, but it felt so right. “I know and I didn’t mean it like that. I’m not going to off myself. Shit, I would never…” she cursed once again, wiping her tears away with quick swipes. “I’m not usually this bad. I’m so sorry for falling apart like this, and thank you for the shoulder.” She leaned up and kissed his cheek, a habit that she was becoming familiarly oddly comfortable with.

  Sid’s eyes drank her in as he leaned down, placing a light kiss on her lips. “Never thank me, Lana.” Sid pulled away opening the door. “I’m here for whatever you need.”

  Lana practically melted into the seat. If he only knew what his words meant to her. She had been alone for so long. Even with her family, she had been so lonely. Taking a deep breath, she slowly let it out. Glancing up at the hospital, she knew in her heart that Caroline would want her to go on with life, and she was really trying. God, she was trying. Sid slid in, started the car, and backed out without a word. From the corner of her eye, she watched him and wondered if this man could help her find herself again. She was just as lost as Caroline; the only difference was Lana was hiding the fact behind fake smiles.

  The ride was silent, but Sid had reached over, taking her hand with a firm grip. It only took ten minutes to get back to the compound. Lana didn’t ask any questions. She didn’t want to go home and fall into the depression that plagued her every time she left her sister.

  As if by habit, Lana waited for Sid to open her door. Without words, they walked into the compound hand in hand, she taking comfort from his touch. Lana noticed the entryway was almost completely reconstructed, except for a paint job. Sid led her into the kitchen where they were met with Damon and Nicole in a deep embrace.

  “What part of Sid’s Kitchen Law did you two not understand?” Sid growled, letting go of Lana’s hand to take off his jacket, tossing it in a chair.

  Damon growled back, but let go of his wife. “You have the worst timing, brother.”

  “No, you have the worst case of being whipped by your woman that I’ve ever seen.” Sid slid past him, pointing to the small poster board of his kitchen laws he had actually made up. “Read it, learn it, and by God, do it! This is a kitchen for Christ’s sake.”

  Nicole shook her head, arms crossed and smiling when Sid came to her, kissing her on the cheek. “Sid, as many women as you’ve had, I’m sure you’ve done it in many a kitchen.” Nicole turned, seeing Lana, and grimaced. “Ah, sorry.”

  “Oh, no. Don’t be,” Lana grinned, watching Sid squirm.

  “See.” He pointed a large wooden spoon at Nicole. “I try to bring a respectable lady here and you go and say things like that. I am ashamed of you.”

  Lana snorted, “Seriously, don’t worry about it. He’s just my boss and I’ve already met one of his lovely ladies.” Lana’s grin widened when Sid shook his head at her. “Sidilicious seems to be well-known at the hospital, especially by redheaded nurses with big breasts.”

  “Ah, shit!” Sid glared at Lana with narrowed eyes. “Really?”

  Lana nodded, pursing her lips. “Really.”

  “Sidilicious?” Nicole sputtered. “Oh man, tell me you’re not lying.” Nicole eyed Lana and threw back her head laughing when Lana crossed her heart.

  “Control your woman,” Sid growled at Damon, who just looked at Sid in disgusted shock.

  “Sidilicious?” Damon glanced at him sideways. “Tell me it’s not true, my brother.”

  “Hey! Hey! Can I help it if the ladies like to nickname me?” Sid threw his arms out wide.

  “Sidilicious, Rachel Ray? What’s next, G-strings and pedicures?” Damon held his hand up, shaking his head.

  Nicole lifted her hand toward Damon for
a high five. “I can’t breathe,” Nicole wheezed. She watched Sid as he opened doors to every cupboard in the kitchen before slamming them shut. “What in the hell are you looking for?” she asked with a hiccup and giggle.

  “My manhood,” Sid frowned, slamming another draw door closed. “Now, get the fuck out of my kitchen.”

  Damon and Nicole grinned like fools as they made their way to the door. Nicole stopped and glanced back at Sid then to Lana. “I’m Nicole.” She patted Lana on the shoulder. “I’m sure I’ll talk to you very soon, Lana.”

  “Get out!” Sid growled, pointing toward the door with his spoon.

  Lana frowned, feeling terrible for teasing Sid. He looked so upset, and she really didn’t mean to do that. Getting up, she walked over to him, his back turned toward her.

  “Sid, I’m sorry.” Lana started to apologize.

  “Are they gone?” Sid asked without turning around.

  Lana glanced behind her to make sure. “Yeah.” Before she knew what was going on, Sid grabbed her, pulling her in front of him. His lips found hers in a long opened-mouthed kiss that had her body on fire in one fast flash. One large arm was around her lower back, the other her upper back as his hand tangled in her hair, cupping her scalp. When she thought she was going to pass out, he lifted his mouth a fraction from her lips; his eyes remained closed as he breathed her in.

  “That will teach you to tease me.” His eyes opened slowly, burning into hers. His voice was teasing, but his eyes were telling a whole different story.

  Lana’s lips tilted in a small smile, her eyes searching his handsome face. If teasing him got her this, then she would come up with new ones by the minute. “Rachael Ray? Really?”

  His lips smashed down on hers as his hands cupped her ass, bringing her up his body. She wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms around his neck, loving the feeling of being smashed against his hard body. His strength radiated off him in waves and she relished the feeling. She rubbed against his hardness making him moan.

  “Think I found your manhood,” she grinned against his lips.

  “Honey, it was never lost.” His growl against her ear sent shivers in places she didn’t know she could shiver.

  He worked his way to her neck, eating her alive. His fangs dragged across her skin, sending her over the edge.

  “Oh, sorry…” A male voice echoed in the room. “I, ah…”

  “Shit,” Sid hissed, his body going rigid.

  “You have got to be kidding me!” Jared actually walked closer, seeing Lana peek over his shoulder. “Hey, Lana.”

  Lana gave Jared a finger wave over Sid’s shoulder, then looked up at Sid, who was staring down at her. “Cover your eyes and don’t look, no matter what you hear.”

  “Why?” Lana asked concerned at his seriousness.

  “Because there is about to be a lot of blood.” Sid walked a few steps, setting her on the counter. “Jared, get the fuck out of here.” Sid adjusted himself before turning around.

  “This is fucking classic.” Jared leaned against the counter, his arms crossed.

  “Hey, guys.” Tessa walked in and with one glance at Sid’s tense face, she frowned. “What’s going on?”

  Sid took three steps, kissing Tessa on the forehead, his eyes still glaring at Jared. “How you feeling, Tess?”

  “Fine,” Tessa replied, still looking between Jared and Sid. “Did I interrupt something?”

  “No, I did,” Jared’s grin widened.

  “Tessa, honey, if you like Jared’s face that way, you best get your man out of here,” Sid warned sweetly to Tessa, but still glared at Jared.

  Jared casually pushed away from the counter, walking to the poster board with the kitchen law. “Read it, learn it, and by God, do it! This is a kitchen for Christ’s sake.” Jared’s voice mocked Sid’s word by word.

  “Yeah, the difference is, dickhead, it’s my kitchen.” Sid dove for Jared, knocking him to the ground.

  Lana jumped off the counter, but Tessa stopped her from getting close. “They’re fine.” Tessa grinned, shaking her head. “I’m Tessa, by the way.”

  “Lana.” Lana nodded at her, but quickly turned her attention back to Sid and Jared.

  “I’m impressed.” Tessa looked her up and down. “Sid never brings his women here.”

  Lana’s glanced at her. “Really?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” Tessa bit her lip. “I shouldn’t have said that. I mean…”

  “It’s okay,” Lana smiled seeing that Tessa was truly shocked. “I know he’s a….”

  “Man whore?” Tessa supplied for her.

  “Guess that’s one way to put it.” Lana moved her head back and forth, watching as Sid helped Jared up, then punched him in the stomach.

  “And that doesn’t bother you?” Tessa’s smile faded a little showing that she was truly impressed.

  “At the moment, no.” Lana laughed when Tessa’s mouth dropped open. “I have a past also. We all do. I’m not going to hate a man because he kissed me in the kitchen after he’s been with countless women.”

  She suddenly felt a little sorry for Sid. Since she had known him, everyone gave him shit. Not that he didn’t give it back, but sometimes enough was enough. She saw the frown he gave Jared when Jared made a comment and knew it was another dig. This time Sid just turned away, holding his hand to her. Instead of taking his hand, she took two quick steps, jumping into the same position they had been found, kissing him hard.

  “What happens if I break your Kitchen Law?” she grinned against his lips.

  He turned, totally ignoring the open-mouthed gapes of Tessa and Jared as he headed toward the door. “You’re about to find out.”

  Lana grinned, kissing the side of his neck, and gave Jared and Tessa a finger wave.

  Loud laughter followed them out of the kitchen.

  Chapter 18

  Sid made it to his room finally after a few stops of plastering Lana against the wall, kissing her breathless. She was still wrapped around him, kissing and biting at his neck. It took him forever to open his door; he even had thoughts about kicking the fucker down.

  Once inside, he let her slide slowly down his body, loving the feel. Glancing around his room, he frowned. “I’m sorry, but this is the only place I have,” Sid apologized, not really knowing why he apologized.

  “It’s fine.” Lana didn’t even look around, her eyes on him.

  “I just moved here a little less than a year ago and haven’t had a chance to find a place of my own.” Sid added, wondering why in the hell he was explaining himself to her. Okay, he was definitely freaking himself out. He never explained himself to women; he just fucked them and moved on.

  “Sid, what’s wrong?” Lana took a step back.

  “Nothing,” he sighed, running his hand through this hair. “No, that’s not true. Jesus, this is new for me.”

  Lana looked at him a little surprised. “You trying to tell me you’re really a virgin?” she teased.

  Sid actually grinned at that, and then stared at her for a minute. “Yeah, in a way I am.”

  “Excuse me?” Lana choked on the words.

  “I’ve never brought a woman here before.” Sid glared down at her. “And I have never had second thoughts about screwing her.”

  “Okay, well that was crude and fuck you, asshole.” Lana pushed him aside, making her way to the door.

  “Fuck.” Sid grabbed her, turning her around. “That came out wrong.”

  “Ah, you think?” Lana pulled her arm away. “Listen, I need to go anyway. We have a big day tomorrow, and we both need to have our shit together. Not stressing about whether you want to screw me or not.”

  Sid put his hand on the door, looming over her. “You’re not going anywhere.” Sid caged her in, his front to her back. “What I’m trying to say, with much difficulty, is you’re different. I don’t want to just toss you on the bed and be done with it.”

  Lana dropped her hand from the doorknob, but didn’t turn to face him. �
�Go on.”

  “And I know tonight was hard on you. I don’t want to take advantage of you. I don’t want to use you like I’ve done others.” Sid tilted his head back, looking at the ceiling, wondering what pussy had possessed him, because the shit coming out of his mouth was not him.

  Lana finally turned around, pushing him back. “I’m a grown-ass woman, Sid. Going home and crying myself to sleep is not what I want to do.” She unbuttoned the first two buttons on her shirt. “I know what I want. I’m not asking for music or flowers or sweet rhyming words. That’s not you, and I knew that when I punched your arrogant face. I know what kind of man you are. Women aren’t stupid. Well, at least most of them aren’t. I still can’t believe the redhead in the elevator is a nurse, but that’s beside the point.”

  Sid’s lips twitched. “Go on,” he repeated her own words back to her, but neither knew if he meant with her buttons or words.

  “I want you, Sid, and I’m not afraid to say it.” Lana finished unbuttoning her shirt, slipped it off her shoulders and let it drop to the floor. “So if you’re too big of a pussy to make the first move, I will.”

  Sid still had one hand plastered against the door above her head. His ears heard every word she said, but his eyes roamed the fullness of her breasts spilling out of her lacy pale-blue bra. When she reached behind her to take off the bra, he stopped her. “The jeans next.” He demanded, his voice deep.

  Unbuttoning her jeans, she shimmied them over her hips, down her legs and stepped out of them. Her pale-blue panties matched her bra.

  “Turn around.” Sid didn’t move. He didn’t have to. His voice held enough deep authority to demand what he wanted. Her hips were wide, making her panties cup her well-rounded ass cheeks, leaving just enough dipping out, making his mouth water and his cock press painfully against his zipper. “Damn.” He brought his free hand up, cupping her ass as he ran his middle finger lightly along her crease.

  Lana moaned softly, moving her head to the side, looking up at him from over her shoulder, her eyes heated with desire. Sid had never seen anything more beautiful in his long life. His hand left her ass, traveling to her lower back and then to her stomach, which was rounded, not flat and or concave; it was perfect and sexy as hell. Sid liked his women with meat on their bones. There was nothing sexier than a woman’s curves, dips and valleys to explore. His hand splayed wide across her stomach as he pulled her against him. Dropping his other hand from the door, he moved her hair out of the way, kissing her neck, and smiled when she arched her back, pushing her large breasts out.