The Protectors A Warrior Halloween (The Protectors Series), page 1
A Warrior Halloween
Teresa Gabelman
Contents
Happy Halloween
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
About the Author
Also by Teresa Gabelman
The Protectors Series
A Warrior Halloween
Copyright 2021 Teresa Gabelman
All rights reserved. The right of Teresa Gabelman to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. This is a work of fiction and any resemblance between the characters and persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
Gabelman, Teresa (2021-10-30). A Warrior Halloween (The Protectors Series)
Kindle Edition.
Created with Vellum
Happy Halloween
Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen.
Voices whisper in the trees,
“Tonight is Halloween!”
Dexter Kozen
Chapter 1
Sloan Murphy walked the halls of the compound looking through the files in his hand. He just left Slade’s office getting the physical updates on the Warriors. Even though they were vampires, it was important for Slade to keep up on not only their physical examinations, but mental as well and report to Sloan.
Passing the kitchen, he opened Sid’s file, skimming to the end. He didn’t need to know everything, just Slade’s final observation and Sid’s was no surprise. Physical examination: Satisfactory. Mental status: Psycho, but stable.
“Jesus.” Sloan shut the file with a sigh and shake of his head. He could only imagine the shit Slade put up with when dealing with these assholes during their yearly examinations. None of them took it seriously, Sid being adamant he didn’t need any type of examination because he was perfect. Every twelve months it turned into a shitshow with Sloan losing his shit and ordering the Warriors to get it done or he would kill them. Yes, it always ended with Sloan threatening the life of one or multiple Warriors.
The closer he got to his office he frowned and slowed. Female chatter hit his ears and became louder the closer he got. By the sound coming from his office all the Mates had gathered. Sloan knew he had no meetings set up, at least Becky never mentioned he had a meeting…unless she is part of what was going on inside the room he stopped and stared at. He really needed to relocate his office. It was way too assessable. Maybe to a different building….or state. Glancing at his watch he cursed. He didn’t have time for this, whatever this was.
Without wasting another second, he turned to go back the way he came and…hide, he almost collided with Becky who was right behind him.
“Ouch!” Becky cried out as hot coffee splashed on her fingers when she jumped from the quickness of his action of running like a scared bitch.
“Dammit.” Sloan dropped the files and grabbed the coffee from her with one hand while carefully grasping her burnt one in his other. “What are you doing sneaking up on me?” He searched her hand making sure she wasn’t going to blister. The cup was even hot in his own hand, so he knew her tender skin was burning.
“I was bringing you coffee.” Becky pulled her hand away giving him a narrowed look. “And I wasn’t sneaking.”
Sloan was instantly suspicious; as if all the females in his office weren’t enough to make him that way, but this statement from Becky told him she was definitely in on whatever was going on. Plus, he wasn’t a fan of coffee and she knew it, but there were times he would drink certain kinds if she made it. Though he always got it himself. So yeah, he was very suspicious.
“You never bring me coffee.” He replied with a cocked eyebrow. “Said it was below your pay grade and that I was perfectly able to get it my damn self. And yes, those were your exact words.”
Becky’s eyes narrowed even more. “You are seriously questioning me about doing something nice for you?”
He knew exactly what she was doing, and he did his best not to smile. Damn, he loved this woman more and more every single day. “You are seriously going to turn this back on me. I wasn’t the one sneaking around.”
“And I wasn’t the one scared to walk into my office.” Becky shot back the truth that Sloan couldn’t deny. “Where were you going, Sloan?”
Dammit, she knew him all too well and that’s how he lost most of their battles. His eyes slowly raked over her body to her rounded hips. All she had to do was sway that perfect ass and she could have anything in the world at her fingertips. As his gaze traveled back up, he noticed she was flexing her burnt fingers. Once again, he reached for her hand pulling it up to look at it. Without hesitation he carefully put her fingers in his mouth running his tongue over the painful burns. He knew with his healing powers she would feel instant relief. He should have done that at the very beginning, but in truth, she had startled him. Never did he want her to feel pain if he could take it away and he would die trying to do just that.
He pulled her fingers out of his mouth, their eyes meeting. Her features had softened as she looked up at him.
“Better?” He could even hear the huskiness in his own voice. Only a look from her could send him into a state he wanted nothing more than to toss her on the ground and….”
“Hey.” Jill’s voice was like a waterfall of cold water cascading over the moment. “I’ve got shit to do. Let’s get this show on the road.”
There were days he was tempted to off Jill. They were fleeting, but they did come. He had never laid one finger on a woman in his life, but Jill tempted his control as well as patience.
“You can’t kill her.” Becky whispered as if having to remind him of that fact.
“Maybe not, but I can make her life miserable.” He replied, then winked at her. “So, you going to give your mate a heads up on what I’m about to walk into?”
“Hello!” Jill continued being annoying as fuck. Before he could turn around and bitch her out, Becky put a hand on his chest, then peeked around him.
“Give us a second.” She said sweetly with a smile. “We’re coming.” She then looked up at Sloan.
“You handled that much differently than I would have.” Sloan smirked as he touched her cheek. “So, you going to brief me on what’s going on?”
“Just go in with an open mind.” Becky gave him her prettiest smile and it was hard for him not to agree to do just that. Yet, when it came to the Mates, an open mind was hard to find with some of the outlandish shit they came up with. “Please. For me.” She brought out her sexy voice.
“You play dirty.” Sloan growled, not liking this at all. Sloan sighed. “I’ll try, but no promises.”
Becky smiled as she tiptoed to kiss him on the chin. “You’re a good man, Sloan Murphy.”
Sloan pulled her against him. “No, I’m not.” He kissed her hard before letting her go. “You just have a way to get me to agree with shit.” He gave her a gentle smack on the ass.
She pulled away with a laugh. “I don’t think there is a soul alive who could do that, me included.” Becky bent and helped him pick up the files he had dropped when she burnt her fingers. Once he had the files she turned and quickly disappeared into his office as his eyes watched her swaying hips the whole way.
“What’s going on in there?” Sid walked in from the outside, bringing the smell of rain and autumn with him. He was glancing at Sloan’s office door where loud female chattering was coming from.
“The Mates.” Was all Sloan said. All he had to say.
“Sucks to be you.” Sid replied with a grimace before giving Sloan the ‘peace out’ sign.
“Get your ass back here. You’re going in with me.” Sloan wasn’t about to let Sid get away that easily. He definitely needed back up, even if it was Sid Sinclair.
“Hell no.” Sid shook his head continuing to make his escape in the opposite direction. “Make that a fuck no.”
“That’s an order, Sid.” Sloan’s voice deepened to his ‘I’m in charge and you will do it’ tone stopping Sid on the spot. “We need to talk about your evaluation I just got from Slade.”
“Well, if my evaluation says my eternal life is at an end, then I’m going to disobey your order.” Sid snorted, turning back around to face Sloan.
“Your physical examination is stable. Your mental is classified as psycho, but stable.” Sloan informed Sid with a cocked eyebrow.
Sid thought about that information for a second. “Sounds about right.” Sid gave a nod. “But I’m still not going in that office.”
“Oh, you are going.” Sloan warned knowing he needed someone at his back. “If I have to throw your ass through the wall, you are going in.”
“Shit.” Sid grumbled giving Sloan a nasty glare. “Not how I wanted to start my fucking day.”
“You and me both.” Sloan muttered, then gave Sid a sideways glance. “Lana never said anything to you that would clue us in on what this might be about?” Sloan asked hoping for some fucking insight of what they were walking into. He had shit to do, a lot of shit and he had a bad feeling his whole planned out morning was going to go to hell really quick.
“No, she didn’t. You know how they are when they get together. Even we aren’t safe. They form this womanly bond thing, that not even we can break. It’s damn scary if you ask me. I’ve faced down some of the meanest motherfuckers in my long life, and I’d rather face them again fucking blindfolded than walk in that room full of Mates with an agenda.” Sid frowned, shaking his head. “Damn, man. I sound like a pussy.”
“You are a pussy.” Sloan smirked, even though what Sid just said was absolute truth.
“Look at you.” Sid snorted as he pointed at him. “Standing there with your arms full of files and holding a cup of coffee afraid to walk into your own fucking office. I’d say that screams pussy.”
“Fuck you, Sid.” Sloan sneered leaning toward the Warrior, even though deep down he knew Sid was right.
“Yeah, good comeback. Original.” Sid rolled his eyes. “But keep that anger for what we’re about to face. You first, boss man and may we come out of this….alive.”
Sloan wasn’t much of a praying man, but he did add an….Amen under his breath. Then with a curse Sloan stormed toward his office. His eyes fell on Jill first who was just opening her mouth. “Shut it, Jill.” He growled making his way to his desk. He slammed the files down hard, then his coffee cup before he looked up to see all the Mates staring at him. His eyes then landed on Steve. “What in the hell are you doing here?” Sloan’s eyes narrowed as he growled that question.
Steve’s eyes widened slightly as if shocked by being singled out. “I have no idea.” Steve said blankly, then received an elbow from Mira.
“I asked him here.” Nicole spoke up walking toward his desk.
“Of course, you did.” Sloan sighed having a feeling he knew what was about to happen. “What do you want, Nicole?”
Nicole’s smile clearly indicated that she was ready to battle for whatever it was she wanted. “And good morning to you also, Sloan.”
Sloan sighed as he slowly sat down behind his desk. His eyes met hers. “Good morning, Nicole.” His tone was even and low. “What do you want?”
“I want to raise money for the Children’s Hospital as well as the Women’s Center here locally.” Nicole replied, watching him closely.
“You needed this much back-up to let me know that?” Sloan cocked his eyebrow after looking around at his crowded office. Sloan wasn’t shocked that this is what Nicole wanted. She was always trying to raise money for the children, not only in the community, but the whole tri-state area. He admired that about her. The yearly baseball game she organized raised a lot of money. She was good at it for sure.
“I think Halloween is the perfect time to do just that.” Nicole replied, still not really telling him anything.
“And…” He urged her as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“I want to do a haunted house.” Nicole hedged, then looked away cluing Sloan into the fact she was about ready to tell him the reason they were all in his office. Sloan remained silent still staring at her, waiting. “And I…we…agreed that here would be the perfect place to pull that off.”
“No.” Sloan didn’t even hesitate in his answer. He happened to glance in Becky’s direction who was standing in the back of the room near her desk throwing her hand in the air giving him a wide-eyed look. He knew he told her he would try to have an open mind, but his mind was definitely closed on this one. Looking down he opened a file as if his word was final. He knew better, but fuck, it was worth a try.
“The Christmas party went smooth with no issues at all.” Nicole wasn’t put off by his one-word answer.
“That was then.” Sloan finally answered knowing he was going to have to unless he wanted the Mates in his office all damn day. “This is now.”
“What does that even mean?” This time it was Nicole who threw up her hands.
“It means no.” Sloan replied, giving her a long-pointed look before looking back down at the files hoping she would concede and walk out of his office.
“Why are you always saying no?” Nicole frowned crossing her arms in frustration.
“Why are you always asking me for things that will put not only you, but them…” Sloan looked up and around the room at the rest of the Mates before looking back at Nicole. “as well as innocents in danger. We have enemies, Nicole. You know this. Even more so now. We don’t know who to trust. This compound is known far and wide as the headquarters of the VC Warriors. It’s a risk I’m not willing to take.”
“That’s not fair.” Nicole slowly dropped her arms.
“And neither is asking this of me.” Sloan sighed wishing he could say yes and not always be the dick he had to be. He was good at being the bad guy when tough decisions needed to be made, but it wasn’t something he always enjoyed. Though the Warriors would say different. He hated the fact that he and the Warriors always had to watch their back every single minute of the day. Now with most of them having Mates and families, it made him even more determined to keep those under his care safe. If that made him a dick, then so be it. He was a dick. “There is a reason I no longer allow families to live at the compound. We’ve always had enemies, Nicole. Now the threats are coming at us from all sides and this is not a chance I am willing to take. And that is my final word on the matter.”
Sloan’s eyes met Becky’s who stood staring at him. The look of understanding she gave him was enough to make it a little easier to be Sloan Murphy in that moment.
Chapter 2
Sid had to agree with Sloan. Definitely too risky to have the public coming in and out of the compound. Actually, that should always be the case, but more so now. Everything was changing. The world was getting more complicated and dangerous, especially for the VC Warriors. Those who were once loyal, were now turning against them and until they knew exactly who and why, things needed to change for them.
“I’m sure there has to be somewhere else.” Sid spoke up, but the look of disappointment on Nicole’s face told him she had serious doubts.
“Even if there was, most of the profits would have to go toward the rental for a place. We would have to hunt a place and we are already very short on time. Putting on a haunted house is going to be expensive enough if I can’t find people to donate things we need plus their time.” Nicole said, then glared at Sloan. “I understand the security risks, Sloan. What if we hired more security? I will take care of everything.”
Sid glanced at Sloan and knew the answer before Sloan even opened his mouth. Sid himself would be the same way and that was saying something. Sid didn’t give two shits about much, but when it came to the safety of his fellow Warriors and their Mates, he didn’t play.
“It’s not going to happen, Nicole.” Sloan glanced up at her, then around at all the Mates. “You can stand here all day, but my mind is not going to be changed.”
“But I already told Mitch. He’s already brought it up to the board.” Nicole bit her lip. “What am I going to tell him?”
Sloan slowly shut the file he was looking at before glancing up at Nicole and sighed. “I appreciate what you do, Nicole. I admire you for being able to make rash decisions, but in the Warrior world rash decisions get people killed. It may not make sense to you, which is a surprise since you’ve been around for a while and know what’s up, but I refuse to put you, my Warriors, their Mates, the kids or the public at risk. There is a wall around the compound for a reason or have you forgotten.” Sloan replied before answering her question. “And you can tell Mitch that I said no.”
“Fine. And no, I haven’t forgotten.” Nicole frowned, but Sid saw the gleam in her eyes. “But if I can find a place, I want the Warriors help getting the place ready as well as help run the show as actors.”
“I don’t care what they do on their off time, but if they are scheduled to work, they will be working.” Sloan replied, not giving an inch.
“Do you enjoy anything, Sloan?” Nicole gave him a narrowed look.
