Free Sid (The Protectors Series) Book #4 by Teresa Gabelman

paper.
    “I will.” Lana took it and slipped it into her pocket. No way in hell would she be calling him. Not going to happen , she thought.
    “ I warned Amy, and I’m going to warn you. Be careful. Don’t be going out with guys you don’t know,” Sid warned, his face set in a stern mask.
    “I usually don’t ,” Lana frowned. “But Amy has a way of talking me into stuff. Tonight is a good example of that.”
    “ Even though my cover is blown all to Hell, I’m glad she did.” Sid picked up the picture again. “We are closer to finding the major player. I’m just sorry you were hurt in the process.”
    “It happens.” Lana shrugged, nervously wondering what Amy had told him.
    “She’s a good friend ,” Sid grinned. “She wouldn’t tell me anything, and I tried. And all she would think about was naked guys, and well, I can only take so much of that, so I stayed out of her head.”
    Lana laughed in relief. “Amy’s head is the last place I’d want to be.”
    Sid smiled before looking at her neck, his smile fading. “You sure you’re okay?” His voice held real concern.
    “I’m fine ,” she lied. She was far from fine, but she would deal with it. She really didn’t need anyone else looking at her as if she had lost her mind. She was already wondering that about herself. It was never easy doing what she did, but this time was different, and she felt so alone. She had to suck it up, as always.
    Walking to the door , Sid opened it for her. “Thank you, Lana.”
    “You’re welcome.” She wondered at his sudden change of attitude. One minute he was calling her a liar and the next, he was thanking her. She was seriously confused by his mixed messages, her mixed emotions and her desire to kiss him goodbye. Holy shit, where the hell did that thought come from? She cringed. Clearing her head, she walked out of the room, finding Amy talking with Sloan, who also thanked her. As they made their way to the door, she turned. Sid was leaning in the doorway watching her; his intense gaze holding hers. A slow smile tilted his lips, causing her heart to skip a beat and making her step on Amy’s heel.
    “Damn , Lana.” Amy jumped, hopping out the door. “What the hell is it with you and my feet tonight?”
    Embarrassed , Lana practically pushed Amy out the door as a deep rumble of laughter followed her out.
    “Damn, sexy-ass vampires,” she muttered.
    ******
    Sid watched the women leave and had a strong feeling that wasn’t going to be the last of Lana and Amy. Something with those two women didn’t add up.
    “This is him?” Sloan sat behind his desk holding the picture Jill drew.
    “Ugly son of a bitch , isn’t he?” Sid walked up and sat in the chair Lana had been sitting in. He could still smell her fresh womanly scent.
    Sloan nodded , staring at it for a minute longer. “I’ll fax this out and hopefully get a hit. I’d say he won’t be hard to miss.” Sloan headed toward the fax machine. “Did you find out what happened with her neck?”
    “No, but I will ,” Sid replied with confidence. “I believe those two have some big secrets that we need to know about.”
    “I’ll do a check as soon as I fax this out.” Sloan tapped in a number, sending out the picture. “I need a damn secretary to do this shit.” Sloan tapped in more numbers, before hitting send.
    “I know a few who would be qualified.” Sid glanced at his phone , checking his texts.
    “After what I saw and heard tonight with Jill and your picks, I don’t think I trust your expertise on whose qualified and who’s not.” Sloan sat down behind his desk giving Sid a disgruntled glare.
    “Hey, none of that was my fault.” Sid frowned , thumbing toward the demolished entryway.
    “As a matter of fact , get Jill and the guys in here. I need to find out what the hell happened out there,” Sloan ordered, ignoring Sid’s case of innocence. He knew Sid far too well to believe he was an innocent bystander.
    “How the hell can