Page 31 of Deadly Alliance

“Maybe we’ll catch you next time. Good to meet you,” Dane said as he headed for the showers.

Jace put Lucy down but not before smacking a loud kiss on her cheek. “I need to shower, I’ll come and find you and we can head out, maybe get some food and chuck a movie on?” he said, his eyes brimming with the love he felt for her.

“Sounds good, baby,” Lucy replied.

What was it like to have that kind of love for someone and have it returned? To know they would always have your back, to wake up together, eat together, to plan a life? He looked at Emme who was pretending to read something on her phone.

“Can I have a minute, Jace?” Shane asked echoing Zack’s earlier question.

Jace turned to look at Shane and nodded. “Sure.”

He walked a few feet away, so they had a bit of privacy. “I wanted to apologise for earlier. It wasn’t my place to overrule you and jump into something that wasn’t my business.”

“I appreciate you taking the time to speak to me. I know it’s not easy when things are personal to step back, so thanks.” Jace offered his hand and Shane took it and the two men shook hands firmly.

Shane watched as he walked away before he cast his eyes to Emme. It was time to say goodbye and it was going to be way harder than he’d ever anticipated.

* * *

The bags were packedand ready to go by the door. Emme had said goodbye to Owen, Dee, Beatrice, and finally Lance.

“You stay beautiful and if you get bored with the weather then come to visit us in the States. We always have room for a gorgeous lady,” the tall blond SEAL said with a wink.

“Thank you, Lance, and I just might take you up on that.”

The time was nearing where she would need to say goodbye to Shane. She had been avoiding it, but now it was time. She was not going to the airport as she couldn’t face a long goodbye.

Rubbing her hands on her jeans, Emme looked at Shane. The others had cleared out giving them space. The few feet that separated them suddenly felt like a million miles. He stepped closer and took her hand, tugging her towards him so that her hands rested on his chest. Looking up, Emme saw regret and sadness in his eyes. His arms banded around her back as he watched her.

“I guess this is goodbye then—wife,” he said, and she could hear he was trying to force lightness, so she followed suit.

“Well as first marriages go, it wasn’t too shabby. I’ll be sure to put in a recommendation with your next wife.” She laughed but it felt hollow, the thought of him with someone else burned in her gut.

“Nope, I’m a one wife kinda guy. You’ve spoiled me for any other wife.”

Her eyes filled with tears at his words. Though he meant them lightly, Emme wanted to be the reason he didn’t marry anyone else. She wanted to be his, she realised.

“You stay out of trouble, okay?”

“I will, and you stay safe,” she replied.

“I want one last kiss from my wife,” he whispered as his hand came up to finger the rings on her finger.

He didn’t wait for a reply but lowered his head, kissing her with tenderness and passion, drinking from her like she was an oasis and he was the desert. She let him take, giving him what he needed knowing she would need to keep reliving this over and over. Finally, he pulled back and they were both breathless.

He rested his forehead on hers. “If you ever come to the US, come see me okay.”

Emme nodded and went to step back, he let her, and she dropped her hand to take off her rings.

He stopped her. “Don’t. I want you to keep them, something to remember me by.”

Emme looked at him and her eyes filled with tears. “I’ll never forget you, Shane,” she whispered.

He took her in his arms and held her close, each needing this last moment of contact. She sniffed and dried her tears.

“I’m okay.” She smiled a watery smile.

“It’s time to go!” Owen said as he poked his head inside.