“And walking away from others is another way,” Jared added, his eyes going to Raven. He then looked toward Sloan. “I hope this explains why I left back then and thank you for allowing me to return so many years later.”
Sloan looked at each of the Warriors. “There isn’t one of us in this room who wouldn’t have done the same thing and if they say they wouldn’t, they’re a liar.” Sloan stared at Jared, then walked toward Raven. “It’s finally nice to meet you, Raven.”
“You knew about me?” Raven asked, shocked.
“I know everything.” Sloan shook her hand, then turned back toward Jared. “I just wanted to make sure he had the story straight. You left out one small detail. Jozzar has a special vendetta against you because you killed Valic. Jozzar is hell-bent on collecting the souls he was robbed of.”
“But how did you know?” Jared was shocked almost beyond words.
“Because he’s a badass son of a bitch.” Charger grinned, but his words were spoken with truth.
“Do you think I just let any of my best Warriors leave on a bullshit lie? I saw your pain every day. I saw everyone’s pain, even my own, but yours was different. And I knew if I didn’t let you go, you’d leave anyway. Once you took care of what you needed to take care of, you’d be back, and I was right.” Sloan gave him a hard look. “And… I’m a badass son of a bitch.”
Wide-eyed, Jared stared at Sloan as the man turned and went back to the desk. His mind reeled at what he’d just learned. Never had he suspected that Sloan knew the truth and kept it to himself for all these years.
“What was the lie?” Steve braved the question.
“That he’d rather be hunted by every VC Warrior than to be under my shitty leadership and that Duncan was a useless piece of garbage who couldn’t find his own ass with both hands.” Sloan recounted word for word what Jared had said the day he had left the VC.
“Damn.” Sid’s eyes widened. “And you let him back in?”
“Let him back in?” Steve gasped. “Let him live. If I ever said that, I’d be—”
“Dead.” Sloan finished Steve’s sentence. “Like I said, I knew there was a reason, and once I found out that reason, I let him take care of his business.”
“Thank you,” Jared said, then shook Sloan’s hand, still awed with shock.
“So are you planning on telling my sister this because honestly, if you don’t, I will.” Adam frowned, staring directly at Jared. “She deserves to know.”
Jared heard Adam, but something or someone was tugging at his mind. “Are you trying to read me?”
“No, why?” Adam replied, then threw his hands up when Jared growled at him. “I swear it’s not me.”
Slade’s phone rang, and at the same time, he heard Tessa’s voice in his head scream his name. His eyes shifted to Slade, who was on the phone. Their eyes met, and he knew without words it was bad. “It’s Tessa.” Slade took the phone from his ear. “University Hospital” was all he said before taking off.
Jared was already heading for the door, everything that just happened, forgotten. Something was seriously wrong. Fear gripped him as he raced toward his bike. All the Warriors, along with the Dark Guardians, took off, following Slade.
Chapter 19
Tessa heard voices. Some frantic, others calm. She fought to break free from the darkness, but each time she came close, the pain sent her back into the blackness that kept her from feeling. The smells were strong, so strong in fact she knew she was in the hospital. She listened closely, hoping to hear a familiar voice, but so far, only strangers surrounded her.
“Is he here yet?” a man’s voice shouted, actually startling Tessa. “Dammit, her ribs are healing so fast they are going to have to be re-broken.”
Okay, that wasn’t pleasant news to hear. Where in the hell was Slade? Forcing her eyes open, she bit her lip at the pain and movement in her side. Moving her eyes, she tried to look at the area that was causing her so much misery, but she was covered up.
“The paramedic called him. He’s on his way,” someone else answered with a tinge of attitude. “Hey, she’s awake.”
A man in a white lab coat leaned over her, his eyes searching hers. “We’re waiting for a doctor. I know you’re in a lot of pain, but just hold on,” the man said, his voice changing from soothing to barely contained panic. “I’m Dr. Holland.”
Tessa licked her dry lips. “How bad is it?” she managed to whisper, sounding like she had aged ninety years.
“We’re waiting for a special doctor now,” Dr. Holland replied, repeating himself.
Eyes narrowing, Tessa grunted. What he meant by “special” was vampire. If she didn’t hurt so badly, she’d have rolled her eyes. “How bad?”
“Not good. We can’t give you any medicine for pain because I’m not sure how you will react,” the doctor replied. “I’m sorry. We’re doing the best we can.”
“Who’s in charge?” At Slade’s voice, tremendous relief raced through her. By the look on the ER doctor’s face, he was feeling the same relief that she was.
“I am,” Dr. Holland called out quickly, then rushed away. Only Tessa’s eyes moved, landing on Slade rushing toward her. Jared followed closely behind, pushing past nurses. Their eyes locked and hers filled with tears.
“You’re going to be okay.” Concern filled Jared’s voice and shook slightly as he took her hand gently before kneeling next to the bed. “I’m here.”
Tessa smiled through the tears. Him being with her made it seem as if all would be well, and in a way, to her that was true. She felt calmer, scared still, but calmer. “I’m glad,” she whispered.
He stood, leaned over and kissed her softly. “What happened?”
Slade walked over before Tessa could answer. He peered down at her, then focused on Jared. “You need to step out, Jared.”
“Not happening.” Jared didn’t take his eyes off Tessa.
Not liking his answer, Slade walked around and grabbed Jared’s arm, moving him away from Tessa. He whipped the curtain closed. “I don’t have fucking time for this,” Slade hissed, pushing him further away from Tessa. “She has broken ribs that are healing wrong. The X-rays don’t lie, and it’s bad. If we don’t take care of this now and if it fuses completely, it’s going to be a hundred times worse for her if it can be fixed at all.”
“Broken ribs?” Jared replied, confused.
Sometimes Tessa wondered if they forgot she was a vampire and had excellent hearing just like them. Before she could roll her eyes, the pain intensified and fear trickled down her spine.
“I can hear you,” Tessa said, then cried out. Even the small force of raising her voice sent pain like she’d never felt before through her body.
Jared and Slade were at her side in an instant. “Do something.”
“I’m trying.” Slade glared at him as he rushed back around the bed. “Tessa, we’re going to have to take you to the operating room. We have to rebreak what has healed and reset. You understand that?”
“Son of a bitch!” Jared growled, his eyes flashing fire.
“I don’t care,” Tessa whispered, afraid to talk any louder. “Just fix it.”
“You do know human medicine may not work for you now.” Slade knelt down this time, to be closer to her if she needed to ask questions. “There’s a fifty-fifty chance.”
Okay, that didn’t sound good. “What do you mean?” Tessa’s eyes widened when he didn’t answer right away. “I’m going to be awake for this? I don’t want to be awake for this, Slade.”
“I don’t know and won’t know until we try the anesthesia,” Slade answered honestly. “We’re going to try. I promise you that.”
“Guess it can’t hurt much more than it already is,” Tessa replied, but the look Jared and Slade shared told her it could and most likely would.
“They’re going to take you in. I’ll be right behind you.” Slade nodded to the nurses, who rushed over, but Jared stopped them.
Leaning over, he stared into Tessa�
�s face. “You got this. You hear me?” Jared cupped her cheek. “You are the strongest woman I’ve ever met. I love you, Tessa.” He took her ring off his little finger and put it on her, then tucked her hand gently under the cover.
“I love you, too,” Tessa whispered, just as the nurses pulled rank and pushed Jared out of their way, preparing to move Tessa.
As they wheeled the bed out of the room, she saw the Warriors standing lined up outside the room in the hallway. Adam rushed over and kissed her cheek without saying anything, but the concern in his eyes said it all.
Jared was still by her side, his large, strong hand on her arm letting her know he was there. Tessa’s eyes fell on Raven, who stood next to Charger. She was staring at Jared, but what surprised her were the tears in Raven’s eyes. Tessa’s thumb touched the ring as was her habit. It felt right to be wearing it again, and in all honesty, at this moment she needed it. Whatever was to come of them was something she’d deal with later, but right now, she needed Jared Kincaid.
* * *
“Jared, you can’t go any further.” Slade looked back at him.
Giving Slade a look as if saying, try to stop me, he said, “I’m not leaving her.” Jared’s voice was hard and firm. “I’ll stay out of the way, but I’m not leaving her.”
Slade paused, which stopped everyone. He walked up to Jared, nose to nose. “I can’t have you in there. I have to focus on Tessa, not you.” This time he took Jared by surprise and pushed him halfway down the hallway. “Listen to me, dammit. This is not an option. You are not going in there. I can’t fight you and help her at the same time.”
Giving Slade a shove, Jared’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Fight me? Motherfucker, we’re about to fight right now.”
Slade growled in frustration. “If the anesthesia doesn’t work on her, I will be fighting you because you are going to go insane. Listen to me. Her ribs have to be rebroken.” Slade glanced back at the bed as the nurses started to move again. “If that was Jill, and I saw her in the pain Tessa may have to go through, I would be killing someone. You get me? If we don’t get her in there now, it’s going to be worse on her. She just fed from you recently?”
Nodding, Jared frowned. Dammit, he knew Slade was right, but how in the hell was he expected to just stand here while she endured that?
“Then she’s healing more rapidly.” Slade’s body language reeked of anxiety, his face a mask of concern. “You know this.”
Jared felt so fucking torn he didn’t know what in the fuck to do. He was already feeling insane, and he couldn’t imagine trying to stay in control when seeing her being hurt. “Fuck!” Jared hissed, then nodded. “Okay, but promise me… that she’ll be—”
“I swear it,” Slade answered before Jared could even finish.
Jared nodded again, trusting Slade. That wasn’t the issue. He then rushed toward Tessa before she could disappear. “I’ll be right here waiting for you.” Jared’s eyes searched hers. “I’m sorry, Tessa.”
“What are you sorry for?” Tessa’s brows dipped.
“That I can’t be with you. I should be with you.” Jared’s voice cracked with emotion. He had no idea how he was going to do this. How could he just let her do this on her own?
“I’ll be fine. Slade will take care of me.” Tessa gave him a wobbly smile as if reading his mind. “I’ll make you proud. I promise.”
That was her parting words as Slade rushed her away. Alone, Jared watched as they disappeared quickly through double doors. As soon as the doors shut, Jared fell against the wall.
“Jesus!” he cried out. His throat swelled with emotion and his whole body shook. What she was about to go through, yet she was worried about making him proud! He felt broken and knew if anything happened to her, he couldn’t live, wouldn’t live. She was his life, his mate, and he would make sure she knew that every single fucking minute of every single day once she was back by his side.
Sliding down the wall, he sat, his arms on his knees and his head bowed, eyes closed. For the first time in hundreds of years, he prayed to whatever higher power was out there. If he could take her pain and make it his own, he would in a second. Finally, he lifted his head, eyes still closed, and leaned it against the wall. He had no idea what happened to her, but at the moment, it didn’t matter. He would worry about that after she was back by his side. He did know one thing, though. If someone did this to her, they would pay and pay dearly.
Opening his eyes, he noticed he was no longer alone. He was surrounded by the Warriors, his brothers. His eyes met Raven’s. She stared at him, then walked his way. Sitting next to him, she reached out and took his hand in hers. No words were spoken. Only a slight squeeze of reassurance given as they sat in silence and waited.
As minutes turned into hours, the mates filled the hallways and stood next to their men. No one talked. People passed and as if realizing the severity of the Warriors’ situation, kept their eyes to the floor before quickly disappearing. Jared hadn’t moved. He just sat waiting, and it was killing him. Every time those fucking double doors opened, he jumped out of his skin, hoping it was Slade.
This time when they opened, it was him, and Jared jerked to his feet. Slade looked rough. His face was sullen as he looked around at the Warriors and then finally to him. Jared wanted to shake the words out of him, but deep inside, he was afraid of what he might say.
“She’s in recovery.” Slade’s voice even sounded bad. “Three ribs had fused, and if not fixed, she would have been crippled, not able to stand up straight. The best surgeons in the area were able to rebreak and reset. She is already starting to heal. Unfortunately, it took longer because the anesthesia didn’t work.”
Curses filled the hallway because they all knew what that meant. Each and every single one of them had gone through something similar in their long lives. They all knew the pain Tessa had just been put through.
“Is she okay?” Jared finally found the words to speak.
“She will be… physically. Mentally it may take her a bit.” Slade cleared his throat. A haunted look filled his face as Jill walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist in comfort. “What she went through, I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. She’s one hell of a woman. I’ve seen men who couldn’t take what Tessa just went through. Be glad you weren’t in there, brother.”
Jared felt like a sledgehammer was slammed into his chest. “Thank you, Slade. I can never repay you.”
“Find who did this to her.” Slade’s eyes narrowed, turning black instantly.
“Someone did this?” Jared thought that maybe it was a car accident. Hell, he hadn’t known what had happened. Actually hadn’t cared… until now. All he had cared about was making sure she was okay. That had now changed in a big way. He glanced back at Sloan. Rage like nothing he’d ever felt shook his body. “Who?”
“Our father,” Adam answered, his voice tight with anger. “And he’s mine.”
“The fuck he is.” Jared’s eyes burned black as hatred filled his soul. At that very moment, he swore that her father would never harm her again. Jared had failed her in so many ways, but no more. It was time for him to start making her proud… proud to be his mate. He sure as fuck didn’t feel worthy to even ask to see her, but he did anyway. “Take me to her.”
Slade kissed Jill on the forehead, whispered something to her and then nodded to Jared. With each step Jared took toward Tessa, his silent promise to her and himself empowered him to face her. He wouldn’t let her down. Those fucking days were over.
Chapter 20
After another set of X-rays, the nurses helped Tessa sit up in bed. Not only was she feeling better, but she was also hungry.
“Dr. Buchanan said you can have some crushed ice.” The nurse smiled at her, wrinkling her nose. “I know that doesn’t sound appetizing, but you just went through some pretty serious trauma.”
Tessa took the cup with a half grin. She only felt a slight pull in her ribs, which was amazing compared to where she was not long ago. �
�Guess it’s better than nothing.”
“If you say so.” The nurse laughed, then cleared her throat. “Are all those handsome men out there here for you?”
Glancing at the other two nurses who were looking at her, Tessa chuckled with a nod. “Yes.”
“And we thought Dr. Buchanan was the only handsome vampire in this area.” Another nurse sighed. “Lucky girl.”
Tessa didn’t answer, but she did agree. She was very lucky. Her eyes went to the ring on her finger. Chewing on some ice, she wondered where Jared was. As if her thoughts conjured him, he followed Slade into the room, his gaze finding her immediately. His features were pinched, his eyes roaming her body as if he didn’t believe she was okay until he saw it for himself.
“Should you be sitting up?” Jared’s voice was concerned as he glared from her to Slade. “Should she be sitting up?”
Nodding, Slade walked to her side, picking up her chart on the way and thumbing through it. All the nurses worked on the computer, but Slade hadn’t even gone near the computer. He looked up at her and smiled. “How you feeling?”
Taking her eyes off Jared, she frowned. “I’m hungry and this ice isn’t doing it.”
“Told you she wouldn’t be happy.” The nurse who gave her the ice walked past with a sideways glance.
“Maybe in an hour you can move to something solid,” Slade said in his doctor’s voice. “Even though you didn’t take to the anesthesia, it was given to you. I don’t want you puking and re-damaging what you, I, the staff, and doctors went through to fix.”
“Well, since you put it that way.” Tessa chomped on more ice. “I hate to puke anyway.”
Tessa Page 13