Tessa

by Gabelman, Teresa

  Every time he said “daughter,” her throat tightened. Jared had a daughter. She was still trying to process it.

  “A man by the name of Valic wanted men to fight for him. He picked who he wanted and made a deal with a demon. That if the demon made them available by killing their families and turning them into madmen, the demon, Jozzar, could have their souls when Valic was finished with them.” Jared’s eyes took on a faraway look. “I was one of those men. As were Damon, Sloan, and Duncan. Jozzar killed my mother, father, sister, and brother, but I was able to hide Janice, and she escaped.”

  This time Tessa took a step closer to Jared, but she didn’t touch him. She wanted him to continue, needed him to. She had to know everything. She knew about his family from months ago when Lana and Caroline channeled his brother. She knew of his gladiator days, but obviously, there was so much more to his past that she did not know.

  “As I said, I was owned by Valic, but was approached to become a VC Warrior with the promise of escaping the gladiator arena. I jumped at the chance to get free, and I did get free. Once I was turned into a vampire and trained, I killed Valic. I also spent every waking moment trying to find my wife and child. I used the VC to help me in the task.” Jared, who was staring over her head, looked down at her. “Once I discovered Jozzar was a demon, I soon learned about the Dark Guardians. I left the Warriors and joined their ranks because that bastard demon was the next one on my death list. He is coming after us.” Tessa noticed his use of the present tense and forced herself to let him continue. “One day he will show up, and he will go after those we love before he takes our souls. Crossing a demon is not something one does lightly, but I didn’t think about my future, only of my present at that time. I’m sorry.”

  An owl hooted in the distance while dusk noises sounded around them, unaware of the turmoil going on between the two invaders on the cliff.

  “Tessa, I know what is coming. I’ve known and have done everything in my power to prevent you from putting yourself in harm’s way other than telling you the truth.” Jared sighed. He raised his hand, as if about to touch her cheek, before dropping it and looking away. “The way I’ve treated you has been unforgivable.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that,” Tessa said as she reached out and clasped his hand. She felt conflicted. She hurt for him, but he’d hurt her. It was a fine line on how to deal with this and yet, being here for him was something she absolutely had to do. “But I’m your mate, Jared. How could me being a Warrior make me anymore vulnerable?”

  “Jozzar isn’t the only demon,” Jared responded, his eyes narrowing. “This whole demon thing that’s going on isn’t about Jozzar’s vengeance against me or the others, but it will heighten his drive to collect what he feels is rightfully his. This fight we are in right now can and most certainly will lead the bastard right to us.”

  “Raven is a Dark Guardian,” Tessa said, reminding him of the fact.

  “She is and if I could change that, I would,” Jared replied, then gave her a half grin. “But she’s as stubborn as you.”

  Tessa didn’t smile. She had so many mixed emotions at the moment that she didn’t know what to say, do, or think. She watched his smile slip from his mouth. Looking into his eyes, she saw true regret.

  “This will be the only time you ever hear me say this.” Jared touched her face, searching her eyes as if this could be the last time he ever did. “If you walk away from me right now, I will understand and let you go. I have no excuse for what I’ve done or how I’ve treated you. I’ve hated myself for keeping these secrets, especially from you.”

  Letting go of his hand, she turned and walked back toward the cliff. Her mind raced as everything he’d told her replayed over again. “If I wanted out, I would have been gone a long time ago.” Tessa’s voice was low but strong. “Do you love me?”

  Tessa was turned around so suddenly she gasped. “Never question my love for you.” Jared’s eyes were narrowed. “Ever. I have never loved anyone as much as I love you.”

  “If I’m being honest, Jared, I have questioned it.” Tessa needed him to understand that what he’d done was hurtful. She’d never had a voice before. Well, she did, but she never used it. She was using it now because she did love this man with all her heart, and she wanted no more lies, secrets, or anything like that to come between them. Not wanting to feel resentment toward him in any way, the only way to make sure that didn’t happen was honesty. “More than once.”

  “I’ve lost you, haven’t I?” Jared let her go and stepped back.

  Tessa’s answer was immediate. “No, you haven’t.” She shook her head. “I’m here, but I want no more lies. I want you to support me like I support you. If you can’t do that, then we need to end this now. In truth, my heart can’t take much more.”

  “I can’t say I’m sorry enough, Tessa.” Jared sighed, and she knew at the moment he was truly sorry. She felt it in his words, saw it in his eyes and body language. He had been as lost as she had been, each of them not knowing how to deal with the situation.

  “Yes, you can.” Tessa walked into his arms and put her head on his chest. “Don’t lie to me. I’m the one person you should be able to tell everything to. I want to be that person and I want you to be my person. The one I can come to for anything. No matter how big or small.”

  “I will be that person, Tessa,” Jared promised, hugging her tightly. “And you are mine.”

  A thought came to her, and she pulled away to look up at him. “Why were you so against turning me?” She knew by the look on his face he didn’t want to say, but instead of getting angry, she just gave him time to decide if he meant his promise of honesty.

  “Because if things got bad, it would have been easier to leave you as a human.” Jared’s voice held shame. She heard it as plain as day.

  “That hurts.” Tessa frowned, anger and sadness almost doubling her over. To even know he thought of easy ways to walk away from her turned her stomach. “Why would it have been easier?”

  Jared’s laugh was filled with sarcasm. “Tessa, it wouldn’t have been easier. Leaving you, human or vampire, is something I could never do. I’d rather be without my legs than to walk away from you. It was just something I told myself because I knew the day would come when I would have to make a decision.”

  “Between me or your daughter,” Tessa whispered. Then everything became crystal clear. This man standing before her had to make choices in his life that no one should have to make. Who wouldn’t be afraid of making it again? She knew in her heart there would be no choice for him to make because she would make it for him. His daughter would be the choice, no questions asked, but she kept that to herself.

  “I’ve fucked up,” Jared said, taking full responsibility. “But one thing right in my world is you, Tessa. I’ve never begged for anything in my life, but I’m begging you now. Please don’t leave me.”

  “But you said you’d let me go.” Tessa cocked her eyebrow at him.

  “That was my last lie to you.” Jared clipped her chin, gently bringing her face up toward his. “I can’t lose you.”

  In that moment, she knew that she could never walk away from this man. Smack him, yes. Scream at him, definitely. Walk away, never happening. “You have a daughter,” she said, touching his hand.

  “I do.” Jared nodded without apology and that said so much about his feelings toward Raven.

  “So you aren’t against having children.” Tessa’s eyes gleamed.

  “I’m not.” A slow smile grew across his face. “But we’re vampires, Tessa.”

  “No shit, Jared,” she shot back with a roll of her eyes. “There are plenty of kids out there that need a good home.”

  “There are.” He leaned closer, his mouth inching toward hers.

  “But what about Jozzar?” Tessa asked, her eyes on his lips.

  “After what I witnessed you doing to your father in the jail, I think Jozzar needs to watch out,” Jared replied, then kissed her softly at first, but it turn
ed into much more very quickly. He finally pulled away. “I’m learning to deal with things as they come, Tessa. Be prepared, but live and love. I will always protect you, and I may be an asshole when I feel you need protection, but it’s not because I have no confidence in you. It’s because I can’t lose you. I fear that more than any demon. That is my cross to bear.”

  His words hit home in so many ways the tears fell freely. “And that’s all I’ve ever wanted to hear from you, Jared.”

  Tessa held him, her body and mind at peace as she thought through his words again over and over…. Wait a minute. She pushed away from him with a frown. “How do you know what happened in the jail?”

  Wearing his “busted” look, he held up his hands. “I paid one of the guards to livestream it on his phone so I could make sure you were safe.” Jared shrugged. “Hey, I didn’t interfere. Just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  Giving him a narrowed glare, she sighed. “So what did you think? Am I Warrior material?”

  “Yes, absolutely, if that’s what you want to be,” Jared said, and she knew he meant it.

  “Right now I’m not sure what I want, except…” Tessa pulled him to her. “…to remain Mrs. Kincaid. That is something I desperately want right now.”

  “You’ve been Mrs. Kincaid since the day you held a gun on me.” Jared picked her up and she straddled his body. “You just didn’t know it.”

  “Take me home,” Tessa whispered, placing a playful bite against his neck. She knew this wasn’t the end of their problems. They had a lot of work ahead of them, but for right now, she understood better who Jared really was and what his actions toward her had meant. That didn’t mean it was right, but in her eyes, it is forgivable. She was learning relationships were hard; they were give and take. She felt she had given more than taken to this point, but she had faith in her mate that was going to change. She knew this man loved her and for now, that mattered. “You have some making up to do.”

  Never had Jared moved so fast. He held her close and started jogging toward the trail. “Uh, Jared,” she said, her voice vibrating from his jogging. “Why don’t we take the bike? It’s faster.”

  Jared stopped and thought about that for a minute. “Actually, it’s not.” He took off, holding her tightly, and they made it back to the house in record time. Once inside the house, he set her down in the kitchen.

  “Thank you, Tessa.” Jared’s voice rumbled throughout the quiet house. “You have given me the best gift a man like me could ever ask for.”

  “I have?” Tessa’s eyes widened. “What’s that?”

  “You.” He kissed her with so much feeling and passion her toes actually curled. His words told her that she’d made the right decision to fight for this. For them. No one could predict the future, but for now, she was happy, and that was all that mattered.

  Chapter 24

  Jared felt guilty as hell as he waited for Adam, but this had to be done. Leaning against the building, his eyes kept watch on the shady motel across the street. Hearing a motorcycle, he spotted Adam and waved him over. Adam parked before heading his way.

  “What’s up?” Adam frowned at Jared’s solemn expression.

  “Your dad’s out of jail.” Jared didn’t beat around the bush.

  “What in the fuck?” Adam cursed, his rage visibly vibrating throughout his body. “How? There is no way they let him go.”

  “Someone posted bail.” Jared pushed himself off the wall.

  “Who in the hell would do that?” Adam paced back and forth. “He doesn’t know anyone with money.”

  “Me,” Jared answered. “I posted it.”

  “What?” Adam stopped pacing to look at Jared, horrified.

  “No one touches my mate. No one hurts my mate. I stepped back and let Tessa handle it the way she needed to handle it. You saw the video and heard the threats he made toward her. This isn’t over, Adam. You know it and I know it. He will do a few months, tops, in the county jail and then be free.” Jared stated the facts he knew Adam already thought of.

  “And go after Tessa.” Adam frowned, his eyes narrowing with hatred. “Well, what in the fuck are we waiting for? Is he in there?”

  Jared nodded, but stopped Adam from rushing that way. “I made a promise to your sister that I would never lie to her. I also told her that I would let her handle this the way she needed to. She doesn’t want me to kill him and I’m sure she doesn’t want you to either.”

  “Okay, then why in the hell are we here?” Adam asked in frustration.

  “To scare the fuck out of him enough to make him leave town and not look back.” Jared’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “And definitely rough him up a little bit.”

  “He won’t stop,” Adam said with conviction. “I know my old man better than anyone.”

  “Yeah, we’ll see about that.” Jared nodded, then took off walking across the street.

  “How do you know he’s there?” Adam looked around, noticing the place was pretty empty.

  “Know the guy who owns the place. Said he’s been in there since he checked in. Hasn’t seen him leave. Said he came in with a girl.” Jared walked up to room seven. “You ready?”

  Adam nodded just as Jared kicked the door open. It banged off the wall. Frank was fucking a young girl no older than eighteen or nineteen. He screamed in surprise. “What the fuck?”

  Disgust filled Jared as he grabbed the girl’s clothes and tossed them at her. “Get out of here!”

  She quickly dressed but stopped before hurrying out the door. “But my money. He owes me.”

  “Bitch, get back here. I’m not done with you yet.” Frank grabbed his hard dick in his hand. “And, boy, you get the fuck out of here. I’ll deal with you later. I was planning on paying a visit to you and your bitch sister.”

  Adam walked across the room and backhanded his dad across the face. “I’m dealing with you now.” Venom laced Adam’s voice as he tossed his dad’s pants at him. “Put some fucking pants on, you sick motherfucker. She’s a kid.”

  “She’s a fucking whore who’s getting paid,” Frank spat, but did put his pants on.

  Jared gave the girl money, plus extra, walking her to the door. “You didn’t see us,” he warned her.

  The girl looked at all the extra money before looking back at Frank and then Jared. “Saw who?”

  “Good girl.” Jared nodded, then frowned. “Use that money to get off the streets. You need help, go to Children’s Services and ask for Mitch.”

  “Thank you.” She gave him a wobbly smile, and took off. “But I’m too old—”

  “Make sure you talk to Mitch Reed.” Jared pushed her gently out the door. “Tell him, Jared Kincaid told you to call. Now, go.”

  “Good for nothing whore.” Frank stomped around the room, before Adam put his hand on his father’s shoulder and pushed him down on the bed, hard. “Boy!”

  “If you call me boy one more time, I’m going to rip your throat out,” Adam growled, his eyes glowing black.

  Jared watched Frank’s expression change from confident to fear. “You don’t talk to me like that, son.”

  Knowing that Tessa had her some sort of closure, he wanted to make sure Adam got that too. One way or another, Frank Pride was going to disappear. Whether it was alive or dead was going to be his choice. The way it was going, it didn’t look promising for Frank.

  “You need to pack your shit and get the hell out of town.” Adam leaned down, getting into his father’s face. “If I ever see you here again, I will kill you.”

  Frank laughed loudly. “Well, you know, I could do that, but then I’d be breaking my bail, wouldn’t I? Your stupid fucking sister had me thrown in jail, pressed charges, and now I have a court date. She better hope I never get my hands on her or a broken rib is going to be the least of her worries. That little bitch needs to learn her place with me.”

  Jared was across the room, pushing Adam out of the way before Adam could respond. Picking Frank up, he threw him across the room.
Jared stalked after him, hauling him up again and punching him repeatedly in the face.

  “Do not ever threaten her again. She is the only reason you are breathing right now,” Jared hissed the words into his face. Trying to regain control, Jared dropped him to the floor to walk away.

  “You make me sick.” Adam glared down at his father.

  “Yeah, well, you are just like me, son.” Frank spat, wiping the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand as he stood wobbling. “And you are my son. I watched your good for nothing mother birth your worthless ass.”

  “Don’t talk about her like that,” Adam warned, and Jared knew Adam was close to losing his shit.

  Jared felt that maybe he’d underestimated the evilness of this man. Adam had been right. Frank was too fucking stupid to be scared.

  “She was nothing to me other than a good fuck when no other bitch was around, but what did I get stuck with? Two worthless kids.” Frank glared at Adam. “She was nothing but a whore who—”

  Jared had just turned to see Adam rip his father’s throat out. Dammit. This was not how he wanted it to go down. He wanted to kill the son of a bitch. “Fuck, Adam!”

  “You promised Tessa.” Adam turned to look at him. “I didn’t, and he needed to fucking die.”

  “You good, man?” Jared gave him a sideways glance.

  “Never fucking better.” Adam rolled his neck. “No regrets, and won’t have them either. I’ll call Damon to help dispose and clean up the mess.”

  “Adam, you know I didn’t want this for you,” Jared said before Adam walked out. “He was your father.”

  “He wasn’t my fucking father. Hasn’t been a father in so long that I don’t give a fuck,” Adam said, and the passion behind his words told Jared he meant every single one of them. “I owe you one for allowing me to have the final say. He fucked my life up every time he hit my mother, when he killed my mother and then started beating Tessa. So, yeah, fuck him.”