Page 60 of Deadly Alliance

Roz nodded, clearly approving of Emme’s determination. Lucy’s smile returned and clinked her glass with them all. “To the future.”

As she finished her cocktail, Emme took a quick look at Shane who was now deep in conversation with Lance, Zack, and Jace. Before joining them, she decided to have another drink.

As she ordered another gin cocktail, she looked around and appreciated the warm atmosphere and the people talking. New and old friends, who’d bonded together in a dangerous mission. This was her home and her purpose.

As the barman slid a glass in her direction, a tall frame blocked her view. “Kingsley!”

White teeth contrasted with his dark beard as he smiled at her, his tall frame relaxing against the bar, waiting for a drink. “Emme. Glad to see you here.”

“And I’m happy you were invited. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to thank you in a calmer, less bomb-filled situation.”

The man took his tumbler of whisky and shrugged. “I was visiting Zack when he got the call, and I was happy to be of help.”

He might seem aloof, but the way he looked around, and the way he’d approached her showed hidden intentions.

“So apart from the free bar, what brings you out tonight? Not that I am not happy to see you here, but I get the feeling there is more to it.”

The slight surprise in his eyes confirmed her suspicion. And the fact that he underestimated her. Which, depending on his intent, could go either way.

“I wanted you to know that what I said in that house, I was serious about my offer.”

“You want to be part of what Shane and I are building? Help us find missing people?”

Knight nodded. “Yeah. I have to be honest, I’ve been looking around for something to give me purpose again. I just didn’t know I would find it working on a bomb.”

The Emme from not long ago would have jumped at the opportunity, but after everything that happened, she needed a little more. “Why? Why do you want to do that? From what Zack told us, you had a high-profile job that was full of action. Why are you interested in an operation that’s not going to pay as well and where there will be more time spent searching files and computer documents than field work at the beginning? I don’t get it. Plus, we will probably be located in the US.”

“That’s not a problem for me.”

The way his face turned into an impassable mask was revealing. There was pain that Emme found familiar and she decided not to dig more. After all, she had her answer. Only one issue needed to be clarified, and for that, she would draw on some of the tricks she’d learned from Beatrice. “I have to admit; you would be a great asset.”

Letting that sentence hang, she took a sip of her cocktail and turned to lean back on the bar. A quick look at Shane told her that he wasn’t happy with having a man he barely knew so close to her, so she smiled and winked at him. He relaxed and continued his conversation with Zack. For now, at least.

Knight was growing irritated. “What? If you have more questions, ask away.”

Emme took another sip before answering. “It’s not about questions.”

“What is it about?”

Putting her glass back on the bar, she turned to face the tall man, looking straight into his eyes. “You will be working for Shane and me. Bottom line, can you work for a woman, take and obey orders?”

Knight opened his mouth before closing it and raking fingers in his hair as he smiled. Emme could see the determination and sincerity she was searching for.

“For me, the mission comes first. If we have the team, the means, the network, and the dedication, I don’t care if the commander has a dick or not. Only that we find people and bring them to home. Don’t forget the Royal Navy has a woman as their Commander in Chief”

“Whose dick are we referring to?”

Shane’s arm circled her hip, bringing her against his body before kissing her hair.

“I’ll leave the dick to you. Just finishing an interview with a potential candidate for our venture. I think we might have a winner.”

Shane kissed her brow before sidestepping and offering his hand to Knight. “If you’re good enough for my lady, you’re good for me. Welcome to the team.”

Knight looked stunned for a second before a smile overtook his sharp face. “You won’t regret your decision. Both of you.”

Emme shook his hand before being whisked away by Shane.

He turned her in his embrace before kissing her senseless. That was something she could definitely get accustomed to, for the rest of her life.