Page 59 of Deadly Alliance

Chapter Twenty-Two

Shane’s eyeswere continually drifting towards Emme as she moved inside Hogarths, chatting and laughing with Lucy, Dee, and Roz. At a table Nate was deep in conversation with Kanan, while Zin and Lance seemed to be having an intense debate. Zack, Drew, and Jace were seemingly teasing Will about something, but the tattooed hacker was having none of it. Both Fortis and Purgatory teams were celebrating the end of this mission in the Hereford pub, but emotions were thick inside the room.

They may have got the target, but Beatrice and her husband, Admiral Feander, hadn’t survived to have a drink with them. That was something Shane suspected he would never entirely make peace with—the memory and the helplessness would be etched in his brain for the rest of his life.

“I can’t believe Bolton tried to escape like he did,” Shane said to Owen and Lance, thinking about Long’s accomplice. He, too, had been rejected by Bea and recruited by Long. He wasn’t crazy though, just a money-driven scumbag. And his career and life ended when he tried to escape the prison transfer and was shot dead by the guard. Shane was secretly glad for it.

“I know, crazy fucker, but he would never have lasted inside with his background.” Owen shook his head.

Emme must have felt him looking at her as she turned and smiled at him. His reaction was immediate as he smiled back at her.

“I never thought I’d see the day where you’d get hooked so hard, Rhodes.”

Lance slapped Shane on the shoulder before taking a sip of his beer. Owen smirked silently as he sat on his other side, but his eyes were on Dee as she laughed among the group of women. Now he knew the reason the dark operative was so protective of her, as he felt exactly the same about the brown-haired woman that had stolen his heart.

He didn’t see her age anymore, but her courage, her tenacity, and the very agile brain that was a definite asset to any team or mission. And all of it his.

“Yeah, well, I won’t complain. I’m one lucky bastard.”

Owen snorted. “Yes, you are. Emme was serious about starting a company to find missing persons?” Shane frowned at him. “You don’t think it’s a good idea?”

“I think it’s a fantastic idea. I just thought you liked working for Purgatory.”

“I do. But with Bea gone… I’ll be honest. I feel I need to take a step back and regroup. I don’t feel worthy of Purgatory right now. I know it sounds stupid but… I let Bea down.”

Lance put a hand on his shoulder, forcing him to look at him. What he saw in the man’s face was not resentment, but grave concern. “Shane, we’ve been on the Teams together. We know we can control a lot of things and there’s a shit load we can’t too. Bea and James knew the risks of the life they led. And I know for a fact that she would slap you behind the head right now for thinking that you didn’t do anything more than your best. That’s all we can do. Nobody in Purgatory would ever accuse you of such a thing, because we know all too well the missions we work are dangerous. Do you understand? Death is always a possibility. Always will be.”

Somehow, Lance’s words settled him a little. “And you, Lance? What are you going to do next now that Beatrice is gone?”

Lance sighed, looked at his brother and back at Shane. “I called Gabrielle last night. She’s still stateside, and you know how close she was to Beatrice. When Beatrice started to step back, Gabrielle took over Purgatory for a while, but she’s busy with something important in Chicago right now. However, she knew that Beatrice had made plans and papers had been drawn up. Gabrielle is fully in charge now but she wants me to take over the current operations. There are many teams on missions, and we can’t let them down. One thing we agreed on is, Purgatory must survive. First, we’ll take care of the funerals. Then, we’ll regroup and relaunch. Stronger than ever. That’s what Bea would want us to do.”

Lance smiled again. “One thing’s for sure, you’re welcome to return to Purgatory at any time. And if, as I suspect, you do create that new task force with that little Brit spitfire, Purgatory is at your service, whenever you need us.”

Shane took his offered hand. “And we’re at your service.”

The blond warrior seemed satisfied with his answer and toasted him. “I certainly won’t forget that offer, Rhodes, and the best of luck to you and Emme.”

* * *

Emme turnedto see Shane looking at her, and a familiar warmth spread through her, but this time, as everything was out in the open, the emotions felt even stronger, brighter.

Maybe it was because she had been so close to losing him, or because she’d finally cracked his thick armour. One way or the other, this entire journey had offered her the most incredible surprise. During this whole mission, their souls had been laid bare, and they had fought for each other until nothing stood between them.

“Earth to Emme.” Lucy’s amused voice finally pierced her daydreaming. “If you continue looking at Shane like that, it will become way too hot in here.”

Emme’s cheeks flamed in embarrassment, but she nonetheless frowned at her friend and mentor.

Dee chuckled at her side, a tall glass in her hand. “She’s only teasing, Emme, and as you are leaving Fortis, she’s making the most of it.”

The hacker’s words hit her like a punch. Working with Shane meant the end of her association with Fortis. Deep down she knew it, but having it said out loud made her crazy project more real. However, she felt ready to take that leap. There was so much more she had to learn, she was far from the level of Lucy or Zack, but it was the right next step in her life. With Shane.

“Yeah. It’s hard to think I won’t work with you anymore, Lucy. Or anybody on the team. It’s … scary.”

Lucy’s teasing stopped immediately. “Scary is good too. And it’s not as if you are powerless. You have skills, experience, and friends who would do anything for you. And I know why you want to get out of here and fly on your own. You deserve that. You may love your family, but I think that distance will give you a better perspective and shut their big male mouths.”

Somehow, Lucy successfully erased her doubts about this new venture and bolstered her spirit. It would be hard to be without her mentor, but she had taught her well.

“I don’t want to think about them. I want to think of the future, moving forward.”