Jared by Teresa Gabelman

hands Sid walked to the back of the warehouse. “Just trying to lighten shit up around here. Geez!”

 
Chapter 1 1
    Duncan stormed out into the night, his vision clear other than a red haze of fury. Seeing Pam at her car he was at her side in a flash. “Why didn’t you tell anyone?” His eyes narrowed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
    Startled Pam drop ped her keys. “Leave it go Duncan.” Pam bent to grab them without turning around. “There’s nothing to tell. She startled me…that’s all.”
    Touching her gentl y he turned her around to face him. “Bullshit.” He leaned down in her line of vision. “Why are you with this loser?”
    Pam started to say something, but her phone dinged indicat ing a text. Clicking her phone she read the text. “I have to go.” Her purse slid off her arm pulling the neck of her shirt down with it. A dark black and purple bruise stood out against her pale skin.
    “I’m going to kill the son of a bitch.” Duncan reached out to touch the mark, but Pam backed away.
    “No, you won’t.” Pam frowned pulling her shirt back up. “It’s none of your business Duncan. Just let it go.”
    “Never.” Duncan growled.
    The saddest eyes he had ever seen looked up at him. “ Please Duncan.” Reaching up she kissed his cheek. “Thanks for everything, but you have to let this go. I’m fine.”
    Watching her get in the car and drive off to go back to that bastard was one of the hardest things Duncan had ever done. He wanted to protect her …needed to protect her. “Fuck!”
    “Why’d you let her go?” Jared walked up beside Duncan.
    “I have no claim on her.” Duncan’s reply was a deep growl of frustration . “ She may not be my mate. She’s good at blocking. ”
    “But you love her.” Jared felt for his friend.
    Duncan looked Jared square in the eyes. “Like no other.”
    Jared slapped him on the back. “The mate shit is way overrated if you ask me.”
    “Can you read Tessa?” Duncan ask ed again looking toward where Pam’s car disappeared.
    Jar ed looked surprised, but grinned. “Don’t know. Her brother has her blocked from everyone.” Jared turned to head back into the warehouse. “But I will tell you this …I don’t really care if I can or can’t . If I loved a woman who wasn’t my mate nothing would stop me from being with her.”
    “Yeah, right, Romeo.” Duncan grumbled .
    “You know I really don’t care if you believe me or not.” Jared sighed looking in the door seeing Tessa talking with Nicole. “I’m tired of nameless one night stands and I’m not afraid to make a commitment unlike you and Damon. At the time I would have given anything to have been in Damon’s shoes with Nicole. You’re blind if you don’t see that Pam has feeling s for you and she is in desperate need of help. Step up before someone else does or she ends up dead .”
    “What….are you gonna step up?” Duncan growled behind.
    “Might , if you don’t stop being a pussy.” Jared swung the door open. “Fight for her Duncan, she’s worth it.”
    ********
    Everyone was quiet as they filed into the house. Dillon, Matt and Jeff decided to stay behind with Sid and Duncan. Jill felt uncomfortable staying with all guys and wanted to come back with Tessa which was fine with her. Tessa missed having another female around, even one that didn’t say much.
    Jared placed the two containers of chicken on the table while Tessa grabbed plates. “Hope you guys are hungry.” Tessa smiled trying to lighten the gloomy mood. “We have enough chicken to feed an army.”
    No one said a word, the only response was a grunt from Adam. Jared kept checking his phone and Jill doodled on her notepad. Grabbing a piece of chicken Tessa sat quietly with everyone else.
    “I’m heading into town for a while.” Adam pushed his plate away before standing to stretch.
    “No…you’re not.” Jared frowned.
    Adam stopped mid stretch. “Who says?”
    “I do . ” Jared’s tone held no