Page 51 of Deadly Alliance

“Prick move? I should kick your ass, you fucking wanker,” Lucy said as she advanced on him, with the express thought of causing him pain by the looks of it.

Shane was not afraid to admit that the woman was a force to be reckoned with and any other time he might have been slightly wary. In all honesty, if she hit him now, it wouldn’t hurt more than seeing the pain in Emme’s eyes and knowing he put it there.

Seeing Beatrice die like she had fucking terrified him and he couldn’t allow himself to be that vulnerable. He had realised then, at that moment, when he’d walked out and seen her standing there waiting for him, looking so damn beautiful his heart wanted to explode, that he was in love with her. Losing her would kill him, so the only way to protect them both was to walk away before they got any deeper.

“I’m fucking protecting her,” he roared as he looked at each of them.

“From what?” Owen asked with a tilt of his head, still eerily calm.

“Are you serious? Did you not see what happened earlier? Bea and the Admiral died! He died trying to protect her, and she died anyway. The look on her face when she saw him was something I won’t ever forget. I can’t do that,” he spat as he spun on his heel and started to pace, the ache in his chest so tight, he could hardly breathe. Everything in him wanted to chase after her and tell her he was sorry, and he didn’t mean it, but he couldn’t. This was the best way, a clean break.

He watched as Zack and Owen both shook their heads before Owen spoke. “You already have, Shane.”

“So, you’re a fucking coward is what we’re saying?” Lucy spat.

“Go easy, Luce. Babe. he’s hurting,” Jace said gently as he laid his hand on her arm.

Lucy looked at Jace before she moved towards the door before focusing on Shane again. “Good. Why don’t you piss off back to your side of the pond? I’ll make sure Emme gets over you. Maybe Drew can take her mind off you,” she threw over her shoulder in his direction.

Just the thought of Drew or anyone else touching Emme made him feel feral. He felt the growl rumble up his chest as the door swung shut. Silence ensued as everyone that was left just stood there. What a fucking awful night. He just wanted to sleep and then he wanted to go hunting and kill the bitch that killed Beatrice and the Admiral. God, he couldn’t believe she was dead. Beatrice was larger than life, such a force to be reckoned with. He wasn’t sure how he or the team would carry on now.

There would never be another woman like Beatrice Dante, and there would never be another like Emme either whispered a voice inside him.

“Let’s get back and get some sleep and then evaluate in the morning,” Lance said as he moved to the door, stopping to shake Zack’s hand. “Thanks for everything you are doing.”

Zack took the offered hand and shook it hard. “I’m sorry it ended this way. Bea was one of a kind, and she will be greatly missed.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that. She was a great lady and more than a boss.”

Zack nodded and then they started to file out. He stood for a second not knowing what to do.

Jace looked back at him from the doorway. “Come on, Shane, you’ll have your epiphany but until you do, let’s get a drink.”

Shane nodded and followed Jace. A drink sounded like a fucking good idea.