Sloan (The Protectors Series) Book #9

by Teresa Gabelman

  “And maybe we won’t have to do anything.” Jax chuckled, shaking his head before walking to the middle of the mat. “Okay, partner up.”

  Making sure Ben and Adam were partners, Blaze put Steve with another potential asshole who didn’t like to take orders.

  “During your training you are going to get hit, and if you become a Warrior, you will definitely get hit.” Blaze walked toward Jax and stood across from him. “Your first goal is to not get hit, but if and when you do, your survival is going to depend on how you react.”

  Jax and Blaze dropped into a fighting stance.

  “What I want you to do with your partner is to go back and forth doing your best to touch their face with just your fingers.” They demonstrated going back and forth with each other. “Use control, keep focused.”

  Blaze walked around helping, as did Jax. His eyes flicked to Jill and Katrina. They worked well together.

  “Okay, good.” Jax stopped them. “The first person to get touched, stop and sit on the mat. The other person remain standing. This teaches humility, because no one wants to sit down. No one wants to be bested, but we also get to see who has the bad attitude and shows their ass in anger. So the person who gets touched better sit their ass down and fast.”

  Again everyone started. Ben was the first to sit down and he didn’t look happy about it. Soon all action had stopped.

  “Everyone stand,” Jax commanded. “Now that you have the hang of it, you will be dodging punches. Continue until we say stop.”

  Stepping back, Blaze knew what was coming, and he was right. Fights broke out and it wasn’t until Adam picked up Ben and slammed him to the mat that Jax stopped them.

  “When in a fight, never become angry because the angry fighter will lose 99.9 percent of the time.” Jax walked up to Adam. “Did you become angry? Is that why you slammed him?”

  Calm and cool, Adam replied, “No, total opposite. He became angry because he couldn’t touch me, and I believe it wasn’t until I touched his face with my fist for the sixth time that he became enraged and started throwing haymakers without thought. When I warned him to calm down, he became angrier, so I felt it was time to stop, and I stopped it by sitting his ass down.”

  “Who became angry?” Blaze asked, looking around.

  More than half the trainees raised their hands.

  “Okay, switch partners,” Jax ordered. “Jill, you replace Adam. Steve, you go with Katrina and, Adam, find some poor fucker to go with.”

  Once everyone had their partners, Jax ordered them to go.

  “Don’t pull your punches,” Steve told Katrina. “You could have hit me with that one.”

  Blaze had been watching and Steve was right. Katrina could have made definite contact on her last punch, but had pulled it.

  “Do you want to become a Warrior or not?” Blaze narrowed his eyes at Katrina.

  “Yes,” she replied, in her usual soft voice.

  “Then fucking act like it and punch him when you have the chance.” Blaze growled. “If not, sit your ass down. Only 100 percent in here. If you can’t give that, then leave.”

  Katrina frowned, then turned and punched Steve in the nose, hard.

  “Motherfucker.” Steve grabbed his nose. “Dammit, Katrina. I wasn’t ready.”

  “Good job.” Blaze gave her an approving nod. “And what is the first lesson any trainee learns, Steve?”

  “Be ready for anything,” Steve grumbled, his eyes watering as he held his nose.

  Blaze turned to leave, but saw Katrina giving Steve that look and knew what was coming before she even opened her mouth. “Don’t you fucking apologize.”

  Katrina snapped her mouth closed. When she and Steve began again, Blaze looked down at Jill and cringed when she took a hard hit. Damn good thing Slade wasn’t around. Blaze looked at Jax, who raised an eyebrow then went back to watching Jill and Ben go at it.

  It was as if Jill and Ben were trading blows. Jill would deliver a good one that would knock Ben back a few steps. He’d then move his neck back and forth before they’d start again. Jill then dodged one, but took a hit when Ben came around with the other hand. Blaze knew that had hurt, but Jill just spat blood and continued.

  “Stop!” Jax ordered, and threw them an approving nod. “Much better. Take five and grab something to drink, then back on the mat.”

  Blaze kept an eye on Ben as he walked away from Jill without shaking her hand. She just shrugged it off until Ben opened his mouth with his buddies.

  “She’s nothing.” Ben’s voice carried. “Got a few shots in, but she hits like a girl.”

  Shaking his head, Blaze watched Jill’s calm control crack. Her hands shot up, and so did Ben. As Ben did some hang time in the air, Jill pulled him closer to her. Then with a shove, Ben shot through the air and through the wall. Jill followed him outside through the hole.

  “How’s that for a girl, dickhead?” Jill yelled as she headed toward the hole that bright sunlight shone through.

  “Shit!” Blaze headed after her with Jax, the rest of the group close on his heels. Glancing over, he saw Katrina also rushing toward the hole with a large grin on her face. She looked absolutely beautiful. “Shit!” Blaze said again, this time with a little more heat.

  Chapter 18

  Waiting for Sloan, Becky leaned against his motorcycle. What she really wanted to do was go inside the warehouse to watch what was going on, but she didn’t know if that was top secret stuff. She hadn’t been able to even ask him because he had been on the phone and then Damon and Duncan had been there talking to him. She had never in her life seen a busier man.

  Grabbing her phone, she checked her messages. One from her son saying calculus sucked, but he was sitting next to some hot chick so that made it much better. Becky rolled her eyes with a grin. To Frankie, a hot chick made everything much better. She missed him so much, but loved him enough to let him go find himself and his own life. She was here for him and always would be. Though she did threaten him that Christmas was her time and his ass better be home or she’d visit him at least every other weekend.

  A loud noise jerked her out of her thoughts and as she looked up, she watched a body fly through the warehouse wall and roll across the concrete parking lot. Sloan was in front of her before she knew what was happening. She peeked around him to see Jill stomping through the hole with everyone following.

  “Ah, damn.” Sloan started to walk away, but stopped. “Stay here,” he ordered, then took off with Damon and Duncan.

  She technically listened to him; actually no, she didn’t. She moved close enough so she could hear what was going on. Her gaze landed on Katrina, who glanced her way. Becky opened her eyes wide in question, but Katrina just gave her an amused grin.

  “What in the hell is it with you and walls?” Sloan yelled at Jill. Jill didn’t even flinch. Becky did, but Jill stood strong.

  “Sometimes I don’t know my own power,” Jill replied to Sloan’s question, though it was obviously directed toward Ben, who was picking himself off the ground. “Though it’s funny that I apparently hit like a girl, like that’s a bad thing.”

  “If you weren’t a woman….” Ben headed toward her, but Sloan stepped in front of him.

  “Go ahead, bitch!” Jill spread her arms wide. “Take your best shot.”

  “Do I need to toss you out of this program?” Sloan shouted, his eyes narrowing on Ben. “Can’t you just keep you fucking mouth shut and train?”

  “She’s the one who threw me through a wall.” Ben pointed around Sloan to Jill.

  “Damn straight I did and I’ll do it again.” Jill took a step forward.

  “Jill, get to my office,” Sloan ordered without even turning around to look at her. When she didn’t move, Sloan roared, “Now!”

  Once Jill had left and without a smartass comment, which Becky was sure was a miracle, Sloan once again focused on Ben. “This is it,” Sloan said, his voice even and stern. “One more fucking thing with you and you’re out. Get the fuc
king chip off your shoulder where women are concerned and train. You understand me?”

  “Yes, sir.” Ben nodded, appearing to have calmed down.

  Sloan looked at Jax and Blaze. “They can spend the rest of their morning cleaning this shit up.”

  When moans and bitching started, Becky watched Sloan stop as he headed toward her and turn back to everyone. “Anyone who has a problem with that can fucking leave.”

  Becky wasn’t surprised that no one admitted having a problem because she was almost ready to start helping. Sloan Murphy was an intimidating man and when he said something, you’d better get your ass in gear.

  Sloan passed her and mounted his bike, then looked at her. “You coming?”

  Not saying a word, Becky hopped on the back. Thinking, screw it, she wrapped her arms around him. The perks of a secretary. She grinned.

  While Becky enjoyed the short ride back to the compound, she noticed a blue sedan with dark tinted windows keeping pace with them. As Sloan turned into the compound, she watched as the sedan slowed to a complete stop. She was about to say something to Sloan when it took off.

  He helped her off the bike, then headed inside with her following. She glanced over her shoulder, but the car was no longer in view. Maybe someone was lost. She shrugged it off and walked into the office where Jill sat in front of Sloan’s desk. Becky headed to her desk, wishing she had something to do, but she hadn’t had time to ask.

  “Sorry about the wall.” Jill started the conversation. “I’ll pay for it.”

  “Yes, you will,” Sloan replied. “Jill, you need to stop putting people through walls, my walls.”

  Becky had pulled out her phone so she looked busy, but she couldn’t help overhearing since she was right there.

  “Then these assholes need to learn to stop acting like women don’t belong. You know that pisses me off, Sloan,” Jill shot back. “It’s hard being a woman in a man’s world and this is definitely a man’s world within the VC. A woman has to fight for every tiny scrap of respect, and it’s not right.”

  Becky wanted so badly to turn around during the silence to see Sloan’s reaction. She felt for both Jill and Katrina. She couldn’t imagine trying to compete for a position with these men. Jill was right. It wasn’t fair.

  “We work just as hard, bleed just as much, hurt just the same, yet when we get the upper hand, we get called into your office.” Jill’s voice rose and sounded hurt, at least to Becky’s ears. “With all due respect, it’s bullshit. Where is that asshole?”

  “Cleaning up the mess you both made.” Sloan’s voice was even. Becky couldn’t tell anything from it. Sloan was a puzzle that gave nothing away. Dammit, she wished she could turn around, but she needed to mind her own business and snoop without a visual.

  “Still bullshit that he’s there and I’m here,” Jill muttered, but Becky heard her loud and clear. She cringed, waiting for Sloan’s response.

  “Why did you slam him through the wall?” Sloan asked.

  Again there was silence and Becky leaned back in her chair to make sure she heard everything. The chair tilted dangerously, making her jerk, trying not to fall over. Rolling her eyes at herself, she decided she would never make a good detective.

  Jill finally sighed. “We were doing a drill and he said I hit like a girl.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” Sloan roared. Becky almost dropped her phone, but grabbed it quickly. “You threw a man through a wall because he said you hit like a girl?”

  “Yeah, I did.” Jill’s voice also rose, but she had nothing on Sloan. “Like any single one of those Warriors I know so well, you included, wouldn’t do the same.”

  Again silence. Becky stared at her phone, but didn’t see it. She was waiting to see what Sloan was going to say. She actually felt sorry for him. The shit he must put up with on a daily basis was enough to drive anyone insane, even a strong man as him.

  “If I put you in a position of authority, you are going to have to try to keep your ass calm, Jill.” Sloan finally spoke. “I don’t do anything without thinking it through, and putting you with the trainees is a benefit to them and me, but not if you’re going to take them out if they look at you wrong.”

  “It wasn’t just that.” Jill snorted, but her voice had calmed. “I just get sick of guys thinking they’re the shit and that women belong behind a desk typing a letter or some shit. No offense, Becky.”

  Shit, did they know she’d been listening? Well, of course they did—she was in the same room. She’d never make a good Warrior either. Yep, scratch detective and Warrior off her possible job opportunities. “None taken,” she replied, still not turning around.

  “You have no idea what it’s like, Sloan.” Defeat laced Jill’s words, surprising Becky. She’d heard a lot about Jill and from just the short time she had known her, she seemed like one hell of a strong woman. Then again, strong women broke sometimes; she should know. She did.

  “No, I guess I don’t,” Sloan finally admitted. “Just try to let shit roll off you, Jill. And yes, I would tell the other Warriors the same thing.”

  “Okay, I’ll try,” Jill agreed. “So how much do you think that wall is going to be?”

  Becky grinned at the question. Having that taken out of your paycheck would suck since it was a big hole. Poor Jill. Again there was silence. That was one thing she had learned about Sloan. He never answered on a whim. He thought every response through, even if it drove the person waiting for the answer crazy.

  “I’ve got it, but don’t let it happen again.” Sloan’s voice was low. “Do you know how many walls I’ve fixed because of you?”

  “No, I’ve lost count,” Jill replied, and Becky could hear the smile in her voice.

  “Get the fuck out of my office,” Sloan ordered. “Go help clean up that mess. I’ll have someone there today to fix it.”

  Thinking it was over, Becky turned to see Jill lean down and hug Sloan. Sloan sat stoic at his desk, staring down. He definitely wasn’t used to hugs, that was evident. He looked like a terrified statue. A strange sadness enveloped her as she watched Sloan’s uncomfortable reaction to being touched with care.

  “Thanks, and I’m sorry.” Jill straightened and headed for the door. “But do you think you could bring in trainees who aren’t total assholes?”

  “Don’t push me, Jill,” Sloan warned. “Slade still at the hospital?”

  “Yeah, he should be back soon.” Jill held the door while she answered. “Why, do you need him?”

  “Yes, to keep your ass in line,” Sloan replied, looking down at his phone.

  “Pfft!” was Jill’s only reply before she left with a grin spreading across her face.

  Once the door shut, Becky glanced at Sloan, who remained staring at his phone. She had a sudden overwhelming urge to hug him and even took a step toward him before he looked up at her. It stopped her cold. What the hell was she doing?

  “Ah, you want me to call some construction people and get some prices?” Becky asked, clearing her shaky throat. Holy shit, she’d almost hugged the crap out of her boss.

  “I’m trying to find the last one Sid organized. They did a good job, but I can’t find the number.” Sloan frowned, his eyes going back to his phone. “Maybe Sid called them, not me.”

  “Let me take care of it.” Becky actually grabbed his phone and put it facedown. “You’re paying me to pretty much sit around, listen to conversations that aren’t my business, ride on the back of your motorcycle, which is a big perk by the way, and I feel like I’m taking advantage of you. Let me do the work.”

  Sloan’s eyes darkened slightly. “You like riding?”

  “Absolutely.” Becky grinned, but watched his eyes. They were amazing when they changed colors like that. “When Frankie was younger, we use to ride dirt bikes all the time.”

  Sloan smiled his head tilting as he studied her. “Yeah, I can definitely see you riding dirt bikes.”

  “I was pretty fearless,” she bragged, then sighed. “I really m
iss those days.”

  “Too old now?” he teased with a raised eyebrow.

  “Hell no. Thirty… ah, something is not too old. I still got it.” She put her hand on her hip, looking offended, but she wasn’t. She knew he was teasing her and she liked it. Plus, age was just a number, and she would beat that into her brain when the big four-oh came rolling around.

  He continued to stare at her to the point she started feeling hot, everywhere. The man had the stare down, that was for damn sure.

  “Now, give me Sid’s number so I can take some of this off your shoulders. That is why you hired me, isn’t it?” She broke the silence before she went up in flames.

  Finally, he looked away and picked up his phone. He rattled off Sid’s number as well as the other Warriors’, which she quickly wrote down. Heading back to her desk, she picked up her phone, wishing she had just gone ahead and hugged him to get it over with. She knew herself well and she knew a hug was coming. Deep down, she hoped it led to something more than a hug.

  Chapter 19

  It took two days for the contactors to finish the wall. Becky drove to the warehouse with the check to pay them on her way home. Sloan had been gone since the previous day for meetings and had left her in charge with distinct instructions on what needed to be done. The man had his shit together, that was for sure. She didn’t know how he did it.

  Turning into the warehouse, the parking lot was empty other than the workers and their vehicles. Training didn’t start for another hour. They had pushed it back so the workers could finish.

  Parking, she got out of the car with the check. Glancing at it, she noticed how neat and precise Sloan’s handwriting was. Her thumb rubbed against his signature, then she laughed at herself. She was so pathetic. She hadn’t seen him for twenty-four hours and she missed him. How she could become so attracted to someone so fast, especially after her exhausting failed marriage and her promise to herself to be a crazy cat lady—even though she was allergic to them—or a lesbian, was beyond her. Neither of those options appealed to her anymore, and that was scary because before meeting Sloan Murphy, they did appeal to her very much, runny nose and all.