Jared (32 page)

Anger flashed across her face until she saw him, really saw him. “It’s the redhead.” She quickly
re-buttoned
her shirt. When he didn’t answer
,
she smiled. “
Oh my God! The
famed
W
arrior Jared Kincaid is whooped.”

Cocking an eyebrow at her
,
he crossed his arms across his chest. “Whooped?”

“Yeah, whooped.” Vicky laughed. “You know I should be pissed, but I’m not. I like her.”

“Do you now?” His eyebrow rose higher i
ndicating he
thought she was full of it
and lying
through
her pretty white teeth
.

“Yeah, I do.
” Vicky paused, her brow wrinkled in thought.
“
She’s scrappy.”

Jared chuckled. “Yes, she is.”

“Don’t get me wrong. I was jealo
us as hell when I first saw her.
I felt the attraction
between the two of you
, but the way she stood up to Alice and me
,
I respected that.” She leaned up giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“So
,
no problems like Alice gives Damon and Nicole?” Jared wasn’t totally convinced.

“Alice is a bitch.” Vicky
replied, then
pointed to herself. “I’m the nice one. I’ve got more pride than that
,
honey and there’s more warriors out there to choose from. I don’t need to chase a man who doesn’t want me.
”

“Thank you.” Jared bowed his head to her. “Any man would be lucky to have you.”

“Damn straight.” Vicky laughed. “Just be happy Jared Kincaid. If you need to feed just give me a call, but don’t wait so long next time.”

“Appreciated.” Jared watched her walk out the door his mind switching quickly to Levi. What was the little bastard up to?
His meeting with Vicky in the pool room was not a
coincidence
.

Flipping his phone he dialed and held it to his ear. “I need you to find Levi, bring him and Adam to the pool room.” Jared grinned into the phone. “Sid
,
you’ve always been my bitch. Just do it asshole.”

Tessa sat in her car glancing in the rearview mirror. Her eyes were still a little puffy
and red from crying. Anger
had
replaced the sadness
.
She couldn’t believe she once again
fell for a handsome face
sprouting
smooth words of…bullshit. God
,
she was pathetic and so pissed off at herself
she could scream
.
She knew better
than
to trust again, but no
,
she had to go being a damn gooey eyed idiot
panting
over a hot vampire
W
arrior who
gave her the
best damn sex she’d ever had.

Smacking the mirror so it aimed toward the roof of the car
,
she grabbed her b
ag
and headed toward the bar.
Yeah, t
his was going to suck, but it
was the fastest way she knew to get her life back on track.

Opening the door the familiar odor of smoke
and booze
hit her in the face.
Only a few people sat
around since it was still early. The regular crew
usually didn’t hit the door until after six. Letting her eyes adjust
,
she spotted Bobby stocking the bar, usually her job.

Taking a deep breath
,
she got her feet moving
to the bar. Once there she slung
her
bag
down
on a stool.

“What can I get ya?” Bobby didn’t turn around as he placed a pint of Jack Daniels on a shelf.

Figuring she deserved a damn beer she decided she would have a damn beer. It wouldn’t kill her. “Beer.” Tessa ordered and then thought, why the hell not go for it. “And a job.”

Her voice froze him for a second before he swung around
,
eyes narrowed. “What the hell are you doing here?” He scanned the bar quickly
,
fear flashing in his eyes.

“He’s not here.” Tessa reassured him. “I’m sorry about what happened, okay.”

“No, it’s not fucking okay.” Bobby hissed
,
lowering his voice. “That crazy son of a bitch about killed me.”

What could she say to that since it was pretty much
the truth
. “Listen, I’m sorry.” She tried again to apologize. “But I really need my job back.”

“You’re fucking crazy, you know that?” Bobby pointed at her still glancing behind her like Jared was going to
magically
materialize.

“Yeah, I know.” Tessa sighed, then frowned
feeling her anger kick up a bit
. “But if you wouldn’t have been
such an asshat what happened wouldn’t have happened.”

“What
…
me getting my ass kicked was my fault.” Bobby’s eyes wid
e
ned.

“You were being an arrogant jerk and slapped my ass…hard.” Tessa
slammed
her hand on
the bar
then closed her eyes trying to calm down.
Her nasty attitude was not helping get her job back.
“I’ve apologized. What else can I do?”

“That maniac needs to apologize.” Bobby demanded. “That’s who needs to apologize.”

Yeah, like that would ever happen. She couldn’t see Jared apologizing….ever. “I need my job back Bobby.” Tessa sighed. “I was your best
bartender, I never missed work
and everybody liked me. I was good at my job.”

Bobby just stared
at her for a second before shaking his head in disbelief
. “Why
in the hell
should I give you your job back?”

“Because you’ve known me my whole life
,
I grew up in this bar and because…” Tessa
took a long swig of the beer he finally put in front of her making a nasty face. “I’m going to lose
Gramp
’
s
house if I don’t find a job.”

A spark of understand
ing
flashed in Bobby’s eyes. He watched her take another agonizing swig of beer. “When did you start drinking or attempting to drink?” He rolled his eyes at her facial expressions.

“About two minutes ago.” Tessa wiped her mouth, leaning back on the stool.
“Ugh, that is God awful.”

“I am so
going to regret this, but when can you start?” Bobby
sighed grabbing her beer
and
tossing
it
in the trash
. He really didn’
t want another ass kicking and he kn
e
w without a doubt he would have another run in with the vampire, but he couldn’t stand by and watch her lose
Gramp
’
s
place.

“
Tonight
.” Tess
a smiled, but then her face turned serious. “I have one condition.”

“You have got to be kidding me.”
He
threw his hands in the air, then pointed at her
again
.
“You don’t get conditions.”

Tessa ignored him. “This is strictly a boss and employee relationship.” She eyed him firmly. “No asking me out and definitely no ass smacking.”

Bobby rolled his eyes. “
The ass beating I received by that maniac
pretty much cured any intentions I’ve had about dating you.” He turned back to restocking the bar. “Now get the hell out of here before you piss me off more and I change my mind.”

“Thanks Bobby!” Tessa grabbed her stuff. “I’ll be here at eight.”

“Seven Tessa.” Bobby yelled. “Be here at seven sharp. Your start time has not changed
and you damn well know it
.”

Tessa
grinned
feeling more like her old self. The faster she could get into her old routine the faster her heart could mend…again.

********

Sid walked Levi and Adam into the pool room. “
Here they are as you ordered
…master
.” Sid’s sarcasm
was thick
.

Jared ignored him, his eyes on Levi. “Why did you lie?”

“What are you talking about?” Levi
’s
gaze kept skipping around indicating he was lying out his ass.

Eyes steady on the little bastard
,
Jared directed his o
rder to Adam. “Can you read him?
”

“No.” Adam replied after a short minute. “I can if I touch him.”

Jared’s smile was not pleasant. “Then touch him.”

“This is bullshit.” Levi jerked away from Adam. “I’m a
C
ouncil member. I don’t follow your orders.”

“You have
something
to hide?” Jared
’s
intense stare was putting everyone on edge.

“Of course not.” Levi shook his head. “I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

“Either me or Adam
are
going to touch you.” Jared took a step forward
,
his growl growing with each word
. “I suggest you let Adam do what I have ask
ed
him to do because if I touch you it will not be pleasant. I know you lied, I want to know why.”

“
This is
ridiculous
.” Levi tried to storm out of the room.

Sid grabbed
Levi
holding him tight before nodding to Adam. “Do your thing.”

“Okay!” Levi held his hands up away from Adam. “I knew you ha
d
n’t fed in a while because of the human….”

“My sister’s name is Tessa.” Adam growled
,
making Jared damn proud. “Use it.”

Levi shot him a nasty glare. “I called and had Vicky come over. I knew once you met up with her you would fe
e
d because of your hunger and I was right.” His gaze landed on Jared. “We can’t have our
W
arriors running around on the edge because of hunger.
We have to be responsible when you’re not.
”

“So you did it for my benefit.” Jared leaned against the pool table eyeing him intently.

“Of course.” Levi answered quickly, a little too quickly. “Why else?”

“Exactly.” Jared stood up glancing at his watch. “Get the fuck out of
here
. If you ever pull a stunt like that again your
C
ouncil title
won’t save your sorry ass
.”

All three of them watched him hurry out the door. “He’s lying.” Sid walked over to the fridge
grabbing
a beer.

“Ya think.
He doesn’t do anything that doesn’t benefit himself.
”
Jared
tapped
out
a text on his phone then looked to Adam. “Have you talked to Tessa today?”

“Yeah
,
earlier.” Adam replied. “Why?”

“Because I texted her just before you guys walked in and she hasn’t answered me.” Jared frowned
,
his gut telling him something wasn’t right.

“
Check
Gramp
’
s
room. She might be in there
.”
Adam shrugged.

“Yeah.” Jared looked at his phone again before walking toward the door. “Thanks guys.”

Steve walked in passing Jared. “You ready to go?”

“Yeah.” Adam tucked his shirt in. “Where’s Jill and the guys?”

“Waiting at the car.”
Steve grinned
,
looking excited as
always.

“Where are you guys heading?” Sid crossed his arms leaning against the pool table
, tapping his beer against his arm
.

“New club just opened up on Sixth
S
treet. Thought we’d go check it out and try to get
R
omeo here out of his funk.” Steve nodded toward Adam.

“Why’s Romeo in a funk?” Sid eyed Adam who
avoided
his gaze.

“He and his girl broke up.” Steve smacked Adam on the back. “He needs to see there’s life after Angelina.”