Jared by Teresa Gabelman Page A

compromise.
    “I’ll be back in an hour or so.” Adam walked toward the door, but stopped when Jared stepped in front of him.
    “I said you’re not going.” Jared’s cold stare warned not to push him on the matter, but Adam being a typical teenager didn’t heed the warning.
    “Looks like we may have a problem then cause I’m going out.” Adam went to side step, but again was blocked.
    “If the C ouncil finds out you’ re running around without an escort you will get locked up.” Jared crossed his arms no t budging. “Is that what you want?”
    “If you think you’re going to be following me around 24/7 you can forget it.” When Jared didn’t respond Adam laughed. “You aren’t worried about me, you’re worried about me turning rogue.”
    “It’s my job to watch out for innocents.” Jared stated without blinking an eye. “Don’t want to hurt your feelings, but until we know which way you’re going to go you’ve got a buddy with you.”
    “I’m not even close to going rogue.” Adam replied his one golden eye turning dark. “But I am about to rage on you if you don’t get out of my way.”
    “Give it your best shot kid.” Jared taunted , his eyes burning a little darker. Some deep dark place wanted to see what this half-breed had. He knew Adam hadn’t come into his full power yet, but he was curious to what this kid could do when pushed.
    Tessa pointed a chicken leg at them both. “If you even think about fighting in my kitchen, well let’s just say you haven’t seen anyone rage like a red head.”
    Jared felt a grin tip his lips and noticed Adam was having a hard time keeping a straight face. “What? You think you can take on two vampires sis?”
    “If I have to …yes. ” She answered honestly , dropping the chicken leg. “I don’t want you guys fighting.”
    They both backed down eyeing each other, but Adam spoke first. “ Then please tell this guy that I have yet to kill a single soul in this town. Even the asshole sheriff can vouch for that.”
    “It’s true.” Tessa replied, then grinned trying again to lighten the mood. “Not one death. Oh, well, we still don’t know what happened to Ms. Shoemaker’s cat, Bitsy.”
    “Okay. Okay.” Adam threw his hands up in the air. “I got a little hungry and went on a rage killing Bitsy in the back alley of Pop’s Barbershop.”
    Jill slapped her hand o ver her mouth covering her giggle.
    Tessa looked up at Jared. “Let him go. It’s just right down the hill.” She smiled, her green eyes pleading.
    The smile did him in…dammit. How in the hell could he say no to that smile. “What’s your cell phone number?” Adam rattled it off as Jared called it. Adam programmed Jared’s number in his cell. “You have a half an hour before I come looking for you.”
    “I swear I’ll call if I get any urges to kill anything bigger than a cat.” Adam ruffled the top of Tessa’s hair like he was the older of the two then headed out the door before Jared could change his mind.
    “He’s a good kid.” Tessa turned to look at Jared.
    “He’s a smartass.” Jared grumbled. Hell, he was really starting to like the damn kid and that always made killing someone so much harder.
    Nodding , Tessa grabbed the dirty plates from the table. “Definitely a smartass.”
    “I heard that.” Adam called from the front porch.
    Jared watched as she stared after Adam with a sad smile, but fear was clearly evident on her face. “Hey, you okay?”
    “What are the chances of him going….you know?” Tessa looked at Jared a silent plea in her eyes. “Rogue or raging or whatever you call it.”
    Jared stared down at the beautiful woman hating the fear in her eyes, but hating more the fact that he may be the one who had to put her brother down. “I seriously don’t know.” Jared didn’t blink. “It differs from one to the other. He hasn’t reached his maximum potential as a half-breed yet, but should soon. Then we will know.”
    “And if he does