[06] Slade

by Teresa Gabelman

  “I lied,” Jill stated as they both laughed, but then Jill groaned with a heave.

  “Oh, God, not again,” Steve cried out. “How much did you drink?”

  The sound of Jill vomiting made Slade move. Opening the bathroom door, he saw Steve holding Jill’s forehead as she vomited in the toilet.

  “Thank God.” Steve sighed in relief seeing Slade. He stepped out of the way, but still held Jill’s forehead.

  “Thanks, Steve.” Slade took his place. “I’ve got it.”

  “No problem.” Steve reached down, squeezing Jill’s shoulder. “I’ll check on you later.”

  Jill nodded, then heaved again. Slade grabbed a washcloth with his free hand and wet it with cold water. Laying it across the back of her neck, he rubbed her back as she continued to dry heave. Jill reached for the washcloth bringing it around to her face as she sat back on the floor.

  “Better?” Slade knelt in front of her. The bathroom was so small; he had to wedge himself between the toilet and wall.

  “No.” Jill wiped her face, and then rubbed the washcloth across her teeth. Turning on her knees, she curled up and lay on the floor, placing her cheek against the cold tile. “I know this is gross, but it feels so good.”

  Spotting the small red blisters on her hand, he picked it up to take a closer look.

  “I burnt myself with the coffee.” Her voice cracked, “I’m sorry, Slade. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I will never ever drink again. This seriously sucks.”

  Slade kissed her hand and ran his tongue over the blisters to hurry the healing. “You could never embarrass me, Jill.” He reached up and turned the shower on. “Piss me off maybe, but never embarrass me.”

  “Really?” Jill squinted up at him from the floor.

  “Yeah, really.” He helped her sit up. “You think you can stand?”

  “I feel a lot better.” She replied, keeping her eyes closed. “I want to brush my teeth.” She frowned, letting him help her stand. He moved her in front of the sink and stood behind her as she brushed. He took off his shirt, then his black combat pants.

  Jill’s bloodshot eyes watched him in the mirror.

  Slade laughed at the question in her gaze. “I’m going to help you shower, nothing else.” Slade turned her, pulled her shirt off and frowned at the stripper outfit she still wore. Even though she looked fucking hot, he couldn’t shake the thought of her lap dancing for another man. It was enough to make him crazy with rage, but he forced himself to remain calm. She didn’t need that; plus, he knew why she had done it.

  “Wait a minute,” Jill hissed when he tried to remove the skimpy top. “They had to tape it ‘cause I kept falling out of it.”

  Slade found the tape and gently removed each strip, not wanting to hurt her. While he was doing that, she had already toed her pants off, leaving only her white boy shorts. He hooked his thumbs in and pulled them down where she could kick them off herself. Wrapping his arm around her, he tested the water before helping Jill in. He steadied her as she leaned her head back, letting the water wash over her face.

  Her moans of pleasure made him hard; there was no hiding it. He knew it was a healthy reaction, but he didn’t want Jill to think he was a pervert trying to take advantage while she was sick, so he moved his lower half away from her. Handing her the soap, he figured it was best she cleaned herself. The thought of his hands sliding over her slick body was too much to ask of him and his control.

  He kept one hand on her waist. The other gripped the wall to keep it off her body as his eyes watched her soapy hands run over her body. His eyes lifted to hers. She was watching him watch her. His hiss echoed in the room when she reached out with her slick hand, grasping him.

  “No,” he hissed again when she squeezed. “You’re−”

  “Fine now.” Jill’s eyes pleaded. “I need you, Slade. My emotions are all over the place, but I know I need you like I never have before.”

  Slade reached out, cupping her face. “Not as much as I need you, Jillian.” He leaned in and their mouths touched with a tenderness Slade had never experienced with a woman. He had never actually made love to a woman; fuck women, yes, but as he picked Jill up, he knew he would be making love for the first time in his life to a woman who held his soul in the palm of her hand.

  Chapter 20

  Jill headed toward the kitchen after a night of absolute horror and bliss. After his tender lovemaking in the shower, Slade carried her to her bed where they lay and talked for hours. He held her while she slept and woke her up for another round of what she craved, yet there had been nothing tender about it. His intensity had her screaming with pleasure. She stopped in front of the kitchen doors and swallowed hard as sudden fear twisted her heart. She had loved before, but this was different than the love she had for her family. This went much deeper, to the point of actually scaring her. Shaking her doubts away, she pushed through the door, hoping the room was empty.

  No, she wasn’t that lucky. Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at her. She seemed to have that effect on them lately. Jill felt like the star in a freak show. Heading toward the coffee, she reached out to pour a cup until the smell hit her nose; her stomach rolled with nausea.

  “Hair of the dog that bit ya?” Sid slammed down a bottle of Jack Daniels.

  Scrunching up her nose, Jill leaned away. “What the hell does that mean?”

  Jared walked up, grabbing the bottle and took a big swig. “It means, my dear young friend, the best cure for what ails you is to have more of it.” He shoved the bottle at her. “Drink up.”

  Leaning back, Jill held her nose. “Get that away from me!” She actually gagged.

  “You wouldn’t be doing that if you were in her bathroom last night while she puked her guts out.” Steve frowned, walking in. “It was disturbing. She’s a dramatic puker.”

  “Those are the worst kind.” Jared frowned at Jill as if she had three heads.

  “You guys are sick.” Jill made a beeline past Jared, giving him her dirtiest look. Grabbing a glass, she poured some orange juice. When the smell hit her nose, it didn’t make her nauseous so she drank.

  Sloan walked in and spotted her from across the room. He crooked his finger at her, indicating for her to come to his office…again. With a groan, she finished off her juice, putting the empty glass in the sink.

  “Damn, girl, I think you’ve broken my record for getting called into Sloan’s office.” Sid nodded his acknowledgement at her.

  “Dude, she isn’t even close to that record yet.” Jared waved the bottle of Jack at Jill as she passed.

  “You’re cruel and I hate you,” she spat at him, but couldn’t hide her grin when she flipped him off.

  Sid thought for a minute, then chuckled, “Yeah, who am I kidding? No one is going to break that record.”

  Jill headed toward Sloan’s office, her head pounding with every step she took. She was half-vampire. Shouldn’t that make her exempt from having a hangover? The door was open so she walked in.

  “Shut the door,” Sloan ordered, leaning up against his desk, arms crossed, looking at her.

  Jill did, walking further into the room. “Listen, I’m−”

  Sloan interrupted her. “I just got off the phone with a close friend of mine, who is one of the highest council leaders.” Sloan’s voice was deep and deadly serious. “After last night, I called about a possible breech in our ranks. We’ve had meeting after meeting trying to figure out how laws regarding our kind are being made without our knowledge and consent. It’s been confirmed, without a doubt, we do have a traitor. After talking last night, he called a high ranking senate member who confirmed and faxed forged documents of approval for the building of Halfway Houses across the country. Each document was signed by six of our high ranking council members, myself included. The signature was definitely mine, but I did not sign that document.”

  Jill’s mouth dropped open. “But how could that even happen?”

  “That’s what we’re working on n
ow, but as soon as the initiation is over, we’re heading to Washington to have the laws overturned, which we were told shouldn’t be a problem as long as all six of us have a strong front,” Sloan replied, his eyes intense.

  “So you mean they’ll have to shut down those places and stop rounding up half-breeds?” Jill asked excitedly.

  “That’s our plan, but I need to get as much information on the Mayor and Alice as I can.” Sloan looked away briefly and rolled his eyes. “So I need you to call George and see if your plan worked.”

  “Give me the number.” Jill held out her hand, ready. Hot damn, this was great news.

  “Hold on a minute.” He actually laughed.

  He had been doing that so much more lately, and she liked it. It made him more approachable. Suddenly, she felt bad. “I’m sorry I called you an asshole,” popped out of her mouth.

  “Jill, I’ve been called worse.” Sloan shook his head with a grin as he walked around to his desk. “And I know for absolute certain that won’t be the last time you call me an asshole or worse. Now, where’s Slade?”

  “He said he had work to do in his office.” Jill frowned. “He told me that the half-breed who was being held with Angelina died. He’s trying to figure out why and also said he had some calls to make to California.”

  Sloan nodded as he texted something, then sat his phone down. “I called the DMV. You are going to test at noon today instead of Monday. The Council decided to move the initiation up two days since we are heading to Washington.”

  “Yes, sir.” Jill nodded, but holy shit, that was soon. Excitement and nerves rumbled in her stomach.

  “You okay? You went a little pale.” Sloan watched her closely.

  “I’m good,” Jill smiled. “Just ready to get all this over with.”

  “I don’t say this often, but I’m proud of you, Jill.” Sloan cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable. “Now, where in the fuck is everyone?” He glared at the door.

  “Thank you,” Jill replied, mirroring his discomfort.

  They both sighed in relief when Damon, Jared, Sid, Jax, and Duncan, along with Steve, Dillon and Adam walked into the room.

  “Can I get me a special chair since I’m in here a lot?” Sid looked around as if trying to find a place he would put it before he pointed to a spot next to Sloan. “It actually would go great right there. Right by where all the magic happens.”

  “Sid, I will jail your ass if one chair delivery reaches this compound,” Sloan warned with a sneer. “I mean it.”

  Slade hurried in, closing the door behind him. Glancing at Jill, he winked at her.

  “Awe, isn’t that sweet.” Sid sighed, fluttering his eyelashes. “Warrior love is so hard to find.”

  “Why do you always have to run your mouth?” Slade took a step toward Sid. “I swear, one of these days, I’m going to finish that ass whipping I was handing you.”

  “In your dreams, Doc,” Sid chuckled with no remorse.

  “Sid, you want me to tell Lana what you said about those women at the club?” Jill glanced over at Sid, her eyebrow cocked.

  He snorted, but looked a little nervous. “I didn’t say anything.”

  “Really? I could have sworn…”

  “You play dirty.” He glared at her.

  “Yes, I do, but so do you.” She smiled at him before turning back to Sloan. “You ready for me to make that call?”

  Sloan nodded, pulling out a phone from his desk and handing it to her. “This number can’t be traced.” He then handed her the card. “Do you know what to say?”

  “Yes.” Jill’s hands shook a little as she dialed the number, then put it on speaker.

  “Hello, George Groper here,” he answered after three rings.

  “Mr. Groper. It’s Lola. How are you doing, sir?”

  There was a slight pause before he responded. Everyone became tense in the room. “I’m doing great, Lola. How are you?”

  Jill saw Sid roll his eyes. “Been very busy, but finally have a window to meet with you about a few designs I have for your house. Would you be available to meet me soon?”

  There was an audible click on the line, one that no human ear could pick up, but everyone in Sloan’s office heard it.

  “Actually, I was getting ready to call you.” They heard his lie. “I really want to get this started and have a few ideas I can bring with me. How about this afternoon around five?”

  Jill looked to Sloan who nodded. “That would be perfect and I know I can help you achieve what you want in your home.”

  After he gave Jill the address, which Sloan wrote down, she hung up the phone.

  “His line is definitely being monitored,” Jared frowned.

  “Okay, let’s get ready to do this. It sounds like he has some stuff for us or at least I hope so.” Sloan glanced at Jill. “I want everyone ready for anything; this could be a set up.”

  “Will I have enough time to test?” Jill asked, looking at Sloan.

  “Plenty of time, but I want every Warrior staked out around that house an hour prior. It’s going to be tricky because it’s still daylight, but I know you can do it.” Sloan read off the address as each one of them entered it into their phone.

  Jill stood, taking the paper with the address from Sloan. “Thanks.”

  “Good luck.” He nodded his dismissal.

  Slade took her hand as they walked out, handing her a set of keys. “You taking me?”

  “Yes.” He smiled down at her.

  “But you’re busy,” she frowned. “I can get Adam to take me or somebody. I don’t want to be a pain in your ass.”

  Slade smacked her ass making her yelp. “You could never be a pain in my ass.”

  She gave him a ‘you want to make a bet’ look. “Really?”

  “Okay, you can be a pain in my ass, but not this. I want to be there.” He opened the car door for her.

  Slade’s eyes looked tired as she sat in the driver’s seat and she felt a sudden wave of selfishness swarm her mind; she had been preoccupied with her own worries. The stress created, trying to figure out what was given to humans to turn them into half-breeds, was evident on Slade’s handsome face. Each investigation led to a dead end. Once he was in the passenger seat, she glanced over at him. “Thank you for everything, Slade.” She leaned over and kissed him. “I wish I could help you in some way.”

  “I have the best working on it.” Slade touched her cheek. “And we will figure it out, but for now, just concentrate on what you have to do.”

  Jill smiled with a nod, starting the car. Glancing over at Slade, she asked, “You’ve never ridden with me, have you?” A playful grin on the cusp of sadistic appeared before Jill revved the engine.

  Slade turned from looking out the window to look at her. “Ah, shit.” He grabbed the dashboard as she turned and flew in reverse out of the parking spot, and slammed on the brakes.

  “Just kidding.” She laughed at his look of horror as she carefully drove out of the parking lot and onto the street.

  ******

  Slade paced back and forth in front of the DMV. The cop testing Jill didn’t look too happy being called out on a Sunday, but once he saw her excitement, he warmed up to her.

  “Son, you’re making me a nervous wreck.” Jill’s dad sat on a bench, watching him.

  “Sorry.” Slade walked over and sat down.

  “Thank you for calling me and letting me know.” Chuck Nichols watched the cars passing on the street below. “I haven’t been a very good father to Jill.”

  “Well, it’s never too late to start.” Slade frowned. “Jill loves you very much, sir.”

  Giving Jill’s father some privacy after seeing him swipe at his eye, Slade stood back up, glancing at his watch. “Shouldn’t they be back by now?”

  Composed, her father stood next to him, both watching for the car.

  “There she is.” Slade stuck his hands in his back pockets as her dad stepped behind the large pillar.

  “I don’t want to mak
e her nervous.” He laughed when Slade looked at him.

  Slade nodded, turning to watch as Jill stopped near the cones. The officer got out of the car with his clipboard, walking to the front of the cones. Jill glanced over at him and he gave her a reassuring nod. “She’s getting ready to parallel park,” he told her dad.

  Chuck walked from behind the pillar to peek around the corner.

  “Come on, baby. You can do this,” Slade mumbled. He watched as she did her maneuvers. Once she stopped the car, coming inches from the front cone, Slade felt such a relief he felt a little weak. It wasn’t perfect, but she fucking did it, and he couldn’t be more proud.

  Jill jumped out of the car and held her crossed fingers up at him as she walked up to the officer. With a smile, the officer handed her a piece of paper. Jill jumped up and took off running toward Slade. He caught her and swung her around.

  “I passed.” She held him tightly, tears in her voice. “I really did it.”

  “As I knew you would.” Slade pulled her back, kissing her hard, but quick. “Someone else came to congratulate you.”

  Jill turned her head to see her father standing there with tears in his eyes. “Congratulations, Jelly Bean.”

  Slade put Jill on her feet and smiled down at her when she looked at him surprised, her chin trembling as tears flowed freely. “Go on,” he nudged her toward him.

  Jill walked over, taking her father in her arms for a hug. “Thanks, Dad,” she cried, then laughed. “I know it’s just a stupid license, but I never thought I would ever get it.”

  “I always told you that you could do anything you put your mind to, even with the battles you had and you’ve proved that.” He smiled sadly. “I’m sorry I didn’t help you more.”

  “I love you, Dad.” Jill kissed his cheek. “And you loved me back. That’s enough.”

  “You ready to get that license?” The officer smiled at Jill, holding the door open. “My shift starts in fifteen minutes.”

  Jill nodded, following the officer inside, but not before turning back toward Slade mouthing ‘thank you’. He smiled with a wink.

  “I don’t know how to ever thank you for what you’ve helped my daughter with.” Chuck looked embarrassed, but his appreciation was in earnest.