Page 57 of Wrecked

Shane meets my gaze. “I guess you’d better call Troy.”

It looks like Shane will need his attorney after all.

* * *

I drive Beth back to the penthouse. Lia is already there, waiting for us. I gave her a heads-up, filled her in on what happened tonight.

When Beth sees Lia, she bursts into tears.

“Shit, Princess,” Lia says as she wraps her arms around Beth. “What the hell has my big brother done this time?”

After reiterating everything that happened tonight, Beth lets Lia lead her to the great room. The two girls crash on one of the sofas. Beth reaches for a fleece blanket and wraps herself up.

I pour Beth a shot of whiskey. “Drink this.”

She swallows it down, gasping and coughing as it burns her throat. “Another, please,” she says, holding out her glass.

I do as she asked, and she knocks that one back, too.

Someone must have alerted the McIntyre family because before long a bunch of them arrive. Liam is the next one to show up. Then Jamie and his dog, Gus. Their sister Sophie joins us next. The only siblings not here are Jake, who’s still backat Beth’s townhouse, and their sister Hannah, who is away at college.

I hate abandoning Shane to his fate right now, but I know my place is here with Beth. It’s what he’d want. She’s his priority. He’s trusting me to take care of her.

Shane’s siblings say what they can to try to cheer Beth up and assure her everything’s going to be all right.

As the night drags on, Beth is exhausted and barely able to stay awake. I try to talk her into going to bed, but that’s a waste of time. She’s not moving from that sofa until Shane comes home.

She’s half asleep when my phone rings. Beth’s eyes pop open and she looks at me for news.

After a brief conversation with Shane’s attorney, I end the call. “That was Troy. Shane’s been booked, and they’ve moved him to the county jail.”

Beth looks gutted.

“On what charges?” Liam asks.

I roll my eyes. “Assaulting a police officer.”

That jolts Beth out of her stupor. “Tyler’s the one who started the fight! Shane was only defending himself!”

Lia tries to mollify Beth. “Look at the bright side, Princess. They haven’t charged him with murder. An assault charge is nothing in comparison to that.”

I shake my head. “I need a drink.”

Beth announces she wants to go to the jail, but I put the kibosh on that real quick. There’s no way in hell I’m letting her go anywhere tonight.

Eventually, Beth falls asleep on the sofa. I carry her to her room and put her in bed. But it’s not long before she wakes up and returns to the great room, right back on the sofa with Lia, who’s asleep. The rest of the siblings have gone home.

I’m sitting on one of the armchairs, attempting to read, even though it’s pointless. I can’t concentrate on a single word.

I imagine Shane is beside himself right now, worrying about Beth. As for me, I’d sure like to get my hands on Tyler.

* * *

A couple of hours later, the elevator chimes as the doors open. Shane walks into the great room, looking disheveled. He walks straight to the back of the sofa, leans over, and kisses Beth’s forehead.

Her eyes flutter open as she gazes up at him. “Shane?”

“Yeah, I’m home, just a little worse for wear.”