[06] Slade

by Teresa Gabelman

  Jill peeked around the other side of the tree, praying Steve made a run for it out the back of the building. Seeing him take off toward the woods, she turned to aim to give him cover and freaked when every Warrior other than Jax had their guns pointed toward her tree. “Ah, shit!” She took cover again, squeezing her eyes shut as black paint splattered all around her. Keeping against the tree she climbed higher, then stopped and took aim hitting Damon and Sid, but not in the head. Another volley of paintballs rained around her, one getting her in the leg, the other in the side. “Dammit, that hurts,” she hissed. God, she hated pain and those damn paintballs pinging against her body was almost unbearable. Yeah, she and pain did not mix.

  Dillon started shooting from his spot, drawing their attention his way. Jill took that opportunity, climbing and jumping down, but soon the paintballs were flying hitting her everywhere, except the head. She just tucked her head and ran…smack into Slade. Falling onto her ass, her gun bouncing out of her grip, she rolled to try to grab it, but he kicked it away.

  “Stand up.” He aimed his gun at her, no emotion on his face.

  Slowly, she stood, her brain working overtime. If he shot her in the head now, it was going to hurt like hell this close. Not liking her back exposed, she sidestepped so the tree was behind her.

  He cocked his eyebrow. “Nice move.”

  “Thanks,” she replied, and then shot her hand up quickly trying to knock the gun out of his hand, but it didn’t budge. She frowned and tried again.

  “Not happening.” Slade shook his head at her like she was a naughty child.

  “Then go ahead and shoot.” Jill even plunged her head forward. “Get the kill shot.”

  Without moving her eyes, she could see Adam sneaking up on Slade; she didn’t want to give her teammate away. Just as Adam aimed, Slade turned, shooting Adam right between the eyes, knocking him on his back before swinging the gun toward Jill whose eyes were wide with shock. “Holy hell.” She looked around Slade to see Adam picking himself up, holding his head.

  “Fuck, that hurt.” Adam stumbled sideways before sitting down on the ground.

  “You still want me to take that kill shot?” Slade asked, watching her closely, a grin playing at the corner of his mouth.

  Jill gulped, deciding if acting like a badass was worth it. Looking at Adam again holding his head, she decided that no, it wasn’t. She hated pain; pain sucked and getting shot in the head close range was going to hurt like hell. Suddenly, the horn echoed throughout the area ending their practice, giving new meaning to ‘saved by the bell’.

  Walking over, she picked up her gun. Dillon and Steve headed over, followed by the Warriors. Dillon had been hit by a kill shot, black paint splattered his face. Sloan looked Jill over.

  “No kill shot?” Sloan looked at Slade.

  “No,” Slade replied, his eyes leaving Jill to land on Sloan. “Close range.”

  “Didn’t seem to stop you with Adam.” Sloan frowned as Adam still weaved a little.

  “It was me or him, and I picked me.” Slade’s tone didn’t change.

  “She’s not going to learn anything by being treated differently.” Sloan frowned. “You had a shot and didn’t take it, why?”

  Jill watched from a distance where she picked up her gun. Slade didn’t even look her way.

  “She was apprehended. No threat.” Slade’s tone did change this time.

  “And that wasn’t the exercise.” Sloan sighed and shook his head, then looked at Jill. He raised his gun.

  Jill was looking at Slade when she heard the pop of a gun, next everything went pitch black as pain exploded in her head.

  Chapter 10

  Slade watched Jill go down. Every instinct he possessed urged him to go to her, but Sloan was watching his every move. His decision at that moment decided Jill’s fate in the program. Sloan warned them both to keep it professional, and well, he sure as hell fucked that up, and just a few short hours ago.

  “Jesus, Sloan.” Sid ran over to Jill who was just now moving. “What the fuck?”

  “What happened?” Jill’s voice was faint and confused.

  “You got shot,” Sid answered her.

  “But the horn blew,” Jill griped. “Who the hell shot me?”

  Slade heard it all, but didn’t take his eyes off Sloan. “Are you done testing me?” Slade growled, wanting to rip Sloan’s head off. “Can I check these guys out to make sure they’re okay?”

  Sloan nodded, but Slade could tell he was still being watched closely. Turning, his eyes scanned Jill quickly and he was relieved to see her sitting up. Adam was sitting down being quiet, but he was also looking at Jill.

  “Hurts like a bitch, don’t it,” Adam called over to Jill.

  “Can you stand up?” Slade asked, trying his best to keep his eyes off Jill and focus on Adam. If he went to Jill first, then Sloan would open his mouth and shit would get bad, real bad.

  “Nice shot,” Adam grinned, standing. “How the hell did you know I was behind you?”

  “Just a feeling,” Slade responded, prying Adam’s human eye open. “You have a headache?”

  Adam nodded. “A little.”

  Slade looked him over noticing the black paint all over him. He pushed on the red lump on Adam’s forehead where he had shot him. Adam winched, but didn’t move his head. “You’ll live.” Slade clapped him on the shoulder. “Good job today.”

  “I died.” Adam looked confused and disgusted. “I failed.”

  “But you stayed alive until the end.” Slade turned away. “And you gave up your life for a teammate. You get points for that.”

  Heading toward Jill, who was standing up but had her eyes closed and arms crossed, he stopped in front of her. “You okay?”

  Jill slit her eyes open to squint up at him. She went to nod but stopped with a hiss. “Yeah. I’m good.”

  Slade snorted when she closed her eyes again. “You dizzy?” He reached up touching the large bump on her forehead.

  “No.” She stated her lie as she jumped at his touch, almost losing her balance. “A little.”

  “Headache?” Slade moved her head back and forth, working her neck.

  “Yes.” She kept her eyes closed. “But I’m fine. Just need a minute.”

  “Sit down and stay put.” Slade helped her sit before turning toward Dillon, but Jax with his pink splattered hair was in his line of vision. “You good?” he asked Jax, trying to keep the grin off his face. That had been a proud moment when he saw the back of Jax’s head explode in bright pink. That was a hell of a shot.

  “I’m fine.” Jax gave him a sideways glance. “Go doctor one of these other pussies.”

  Slade did grin then as he passed him and went toward Dillon who waved him away.

  “I didn’t get hit close up. It barely stung,” Dillon told him as he felt his head, “and I don’t really have a bump.”

  Looking toward Steve, who had the biggest grin on his face, Slade shook his head. Out of any of the half-breeds, Steve was the last one he’d pick to survive this test, though he would have never told Steve that. “Good job, Steve,” Slade nodded.

  The rest of the Warriors followed suit, congratulating Steve.

  Steve soaked it in for a few minutes looking proud of himself, but then he looked to his teammates. “Honestly, I wouldn’t have done it without my dudes and dudette.” Steve smiled at each of them. “I was about to piss myself when you all had me cornered, but with their help, I was able to get out and then the horn sounded.”

  “We didn’t do much, Steve.” Jill’s voice sounded tired, but happy for her friend. “You earned it.”

  “No, it all turned in my favor when you shot Jax in the head. Great fucking shot by the way,” Steve grinned, heading toward Jill to give her a high five when he spotted the look Jax was giving him. His hand dropped to his side real quick. “Ah, I mean…well anyway, thanks, guys.”

  Even with Slade’s dangerous mood, he couldn’t help but grin at Steve. This poor kid just didn�
�t know when to shut the fuck up.

  “You guys did pretty good,” Sloan said, looking at each of them. “You lasted longer than we thought you would. Jax and Slade will go over everything with you tomorrow. Go get cleaned up and get some rest.”

  Slade held back as everyone left the area to head out. His gaze watched Jill, making sure she was steady on her feet. He started to go to her when she stumbled, but Dillon was at her side giving her a hand, a hand Slade wanted to snap off and shove up his ass. Feeling Sloan staring at the side of his head, Slade sneered his way, “You got something to say to me?”

  “Not yet,” Sloan’s voice was even. “You got something to say to me?”

  “Yeah, I do.” Slade turned to look him square in the eye. “I respect the hell out of you and always have, but if you ever hurt her again to make a point to me, I will kill you.”

  Slade didn’t even wait for a response, he just turned and followed the rest. As he watched Jill and the little fucker, Dillon, who he honestly had nothing against except his hand on Jill, Slade knew he was in deep shit. He also knew that he and Jill would happen. They’d already happened, yet he totally fucked that up, but as soon as her initiation into the Warriors was complete, she was his and no one better have a problem with it.

  “Maybe Jax was right,” Sloan called out behind him. “She’s a liability.”

  Slade slowed, but didn’t stop. “Jax is an asshole,” Slade responded. “You’d be a fool to let her go, Sloan, and you know it.” Not sticking around to hear what else Sloan had to say, Slade took off. His eyes instantly going to Jill who was a few yards ahead of him, a thought hit him right in the gut. He’d be a bigger fool to let her go. Son of a bitch, this was a mess.

  ******

  Jill was glad Dillon was back, but he was getting on her last nerve. Every few seconds, he was asking if she was okay, did she want him to carry her, on and on he went. Yeah, her head and body hurt, but she knew it would be short-lived. She was half-vampire, just like them. She would heal. She was fine and she wanted to tell him to shut the hell up.

  Spotting the two men she had shot in the woods, bright pink splattered across their vests, she sidestepped and tried to avoid being seen by them as they walked by, but she wasn’t that lucky. One of their buddies spotted her.

  “Is that the one who got you?” he said loudly, pointing at Jill. “Hey, girl, come here. I want to get a picture.”

  Ignoring him, she continued to walk behind Steve and Adam.

  “Jill, who is that?” Steve was looking at the guy coming up to them, then his friends. Seeing the pink splatter, his eyes shot to Jill. “Shit, did you shoot them? Sloan is gonna be pissed. Citizens were off limits.”

  Jill mumbled, nudging at Steve, “Just go.”

  “Hey! I’m talking to you.” He grabbed her arm. “I want to get a picture of you with my boys.”

  Jerking her arm away from him, she turned to glare. “Get off.” He was decked out in his paintball gear with a hunter’s hat on his bushy head and a lip full of chewing tobacco.

  He stumbled backward when he got a good look at her eyes. She had taken her safety glasses off after getting shot. “Holy shit, you’re a breed.” He looked at Steve, Adam and Dillon who were giving him a death stare. “You’re all breeds.”

  Slade walked up, stepping between Jill and the man. “You got a problem?”

  “Yeah, I do.” The man spat, looking from Jill to Slade. “They’re breeds.”

  The rest of the Warriors surrounded them as Slade lifted his sunglasses off, sizing up him and his friends. “And you’re a redneck asshole, but we’re not making a big deal out of it.”

  “Oh, hell, man.” The man held up his hands, backpedaling after seeing Slade’s golden eyes. “We don’t want no trouble.”

  Slade dropped his sunglasses back in place giving them a nasty grin. “Good choice.”

  “Really, man. I just wanted to get a picture with my buddies and the pretty girl there that shot them.” He smiled as if he and Slade were now buddies, but his smile disappeared when Slade took a step toward him.

  “But she’s a breed,” Slade growled back the man’s word. “Isn’t that what had you all upset?”

  “Ah, no…” The man laughed nervously. “It just took me by surprise is all. Didn’t want that sexy thang taking out my neck or something. I’ve heard breeds are unpredictable….ya know?”

  “No, I don’t know.” Slade’s growl turned menacing.

  Sid stepped in, waving his two fingers to the guy. “Come here.” As the man took a few hesitant steps, Sid grabbed him, putting his arm around his shoulders like they were the best of friends. “Listen, Cooter.”

  “My name’s Buck.” The man gave Sid a sideways glance, not sure what was about to happen.

  “You don’t say,” Sid grinned. “Well, listen….Buck. I suggest you and your boys go on about your business before you get an asswhoopin’ you’ll never forget.”

  The man nodded then hurried toward his friends when Sid let him go. Jill really didn’t want to look at any of the Warriors, but her eyes went to Sloan because he was the one glaring at her. She started walking ahead knowing he was coming up beside her.

  “So, Jill.” Sloan moved up beside her as they headed into the parking lot. “Did you not hear the part where I said all citizens were off limits?”

  Jill grimaced, trying to think up something intelligent to say, but Sloan made her nervous, really nervous. “I got excited,” came out of her mouth; well, at least it was the truth. “Sorry.”

  “And is there a reason you shot Slade in the ass before time started?” Sloan grilled her more.

  Jill’s grin was filled with evil glee; now that was worth it. She glanced at Slade, who was giving her a ‘payback’s a bitch’ look, then to Sloan, wiping the grin off her face. “I slipped.”

  He actually laughed at that, shaking his head, but then his face turned serious as if he had never laughed at all. “Next time you…slip, or get excited and shoot civilians, you will get written up.”

  Jill cleared her throat with a nod. “Yes, sir.”

  Sloan glanced at her sideways as he walked beside her, his silence made her nervous. “You take your driving test yet?”

  “No, I was….”

  Before she could finish, Sloan broke in, looking at his watch. “You have plenty of time to do it today,” he ordered, heading toward his bike. “I want it done. I’ll make a call so you don’t have to wait the required time to do the driver’s test, but I want that written test done today.”

  “Yes, sir.” Jill frowned, and after Sloan started his bike, she cursed, “Dammit.”

  “Come on.” Adam heard the whole conversation. “We’ll stop there first.”

  Waiting for Adam to unlock the doors, Jill tried not to watch as Slade rode past on his bike, but her eyes, damn them, had a mind of their own and went to him like a magnet. As if that wasn’t bad enough when he rode past, his head slowly turned, and even though his sunglasses hid his eyes, she felt the heat of his stare burn through her body. Quickly, she looked away, climbing into Adam’s car.

  The ride to the DMV was silent. All Jill could think about was taking the test she was surely going to fail because she couldn’t read without it taking her hours, and remembering the questions was going to bring up memories of what Slade did to her body as he quizzed her. As Steve would say, she was screwed.

  Adam pulled into a empty parking spot. Dillon followed in his car, parking beside them. Once they were all out of the cars, Adam stopped Dillon and Steve from walking. “Why don’t you guys stay here? I’ll go in with Jill.”

  As they made their way inside, Jill was relieved Adam had told Steve and Dillon to stay outside. She was a nervous wreck and really didn’t need an audience for her humiliation. Having Adam there was bad enough, but out of the three, she’d rather have Adam with her. The woman behind the counter stared at them as they walked up to the counter. “I need to take the written test.”

  The woman continue
d to stare until Jill gave her a look. She fumbled with a paper, stood, did something and came back. “Take this and go to computer number four.” She handed the paper to Jill, still staring. “After you finish the test, bring the paper back up.”

  Taking offense at the woman staring, Jill sneered, “Is it my mismatched eyes or do I have something on my face?”

  The woman was taken back for a second. “Ah, actually you do.”

  “Do what?” Jill’s tone was not polite.

  “Have something on your face.” The woman pointed. “It’s black.”

  Jill’s hand flew to her forehead then brought it back down, nothing was on her hand. “Do you have a bathroom?”

  The woman nodded toward the right. “Over there.”

  Jill headed toward the bathroom, pushing the door open hard. Going directly to the mirror, she laughed. Hell, no wonder the woman was staring. She looked like total shit. The whole side of her forehead was splattered black and her hair was pushed back and standing straight up from the blast of the paintball gun. She had a large bump where she’d been hit. Specks of black was scattered all across her face. Turning on the warm water, she bent over the sink, bringing water to her face and scrubbed. After a few minutes, she looked up into the mirror. It wasn’t totally gone, but at least she looked a little better.

  Grabbing the paper, she looked at it and her stomach dropped. She was going to fail this test, she knew it. The words on the paper were jumbled to her eyes. She just hoped she saw some familiar words and could figure it out on the test. Slade said it was multiple choice so at least she had a slim chance of picking the right one. With one disgusted look in the mirror, she turned and walked out. Adam sat in one of the metal chairs. He gave her an encouraging smile as she headed toward the computers.

  Sitting down, she saw notes posted on the computer figuring it was instructions on how to start. Hitting a button next to the note, the computer made a loud noise, which she figured indicated she had hit the wrong button. Hot embarrassment swarmed her body. Closing her eyes, she gave herself a quick pep talk. She could do this.