Shane's Redemption (Maura's Men Book 3)

by Stella Williams

  Red Flag

  "I thought they would never leave," Brody said sliding into the booth across from Molly.

  Molly glared at him and silently kicked herself for deciding to stay to finish her sundae instead of going home.

  "What do you want?"

  Molly set he spoon down and crossed her arms over her chest.

  "To spend time with you," He answered.

  Molly signaled for the check.

  "Look we had a thing. It's over now. Leave me alone," Molly replied.

  "Is it because of that boy? I understand he was the reason you wanted to be turned in the first place, but you can't honestly tell me you're attracted to that bag of bones," Brody said with a roll of his eyes.

  Molly saw red. Her power began to rise to the surface. She was already on edge because of the Council, and this was just one more thing to prick her nerves.

  "Don't you dare speak about Shane that way! He is more of a man than you could ever be," she snapped.

  "You're fucking delusional. If you had any sense, you'd be all over me right now. I'm rich. I have status and connections in the vampire community. I'm the closest to pureblood than a bitch like you will ever get. Especially with your attitude," Brody said.

  His nostrils flared with anger. That made Molly feel better and helped her calm down. This was about his ego and not about her at all. If she were begging for his dick he'd definitely give it to her, but nothing else. He got off on power. She recognized it in him the same as she'd seen in Maura during her brief time under Maura’s influence.

  "You're nothing more than an errand boy," Molly said coolly.

  She could still feel her powers there under the surface. Worse, she saw the shock and fear in Brody's eyes. That could only mean he either saw or sensed it too. She silently cursed the slip. He could easily run to the Council and revoke his recommendation. He was an ass, but in a way she still needed him. In that way at least.

  "You'll regret this," He muttered and took off before the check was even delivered by the teenage waitress.

  Molly paid the bill and left the ice cream parlor with her head held high and her spirits somewhat lifted. She may have made a mistake that would get back to the Council, but she would worry about that later. If she were to rate her boss bitch levels, Molly wagered she'd be about an eight right now. Brody was a pissant. She was done with him. Molly had more important things to do than worry about a fuck boy like him. She had a business to run, a monster to hunt, and a real man to wait for.

  This spying shit was getting on his last nerve. Watching all these so-called traitor’s live normal lives while he was stuck being an errand boy for that maniacal bitch Maura. Rodney watched as Molly strode out of the ice cream parlor after telling off that jerk wad Council liaison. He should follow her, but he was fed up with the Queen Bee of boring shit. So instead Rod took off in the direction of the Council's flunky. Maybe he would have better luck with Intel on that front. Rod followed the greasy schmuck around the corner to where his car was parked. Rodney was just about to turn around because he wasn't about to waste time chasing a vehicle when the man's phone rang.

  "Yes, sir."

  Rod found a spot to hide that still allowed him to listen in as long as the guy didn't get in his blacked-out sedan.

  "No, there is no sign of contact with Maura."

  "I'm sure."

  "Sir? I think the tests were wrong."

  "Yes, I'm sure. I saw it with my own eyes. Molly is dangerous."

  "Right away sir."

  The man hung up and slid into his car. Rod sank further into the dark as the car's headlights flashed on in his direction. This couldn't be good. Maura wouldn't like this development one bit, but at least Rod didn't have to worry too much about her taking out her frustrations on him. He was the smartest one in her army. He controlled her accounts and made sure the ship ran undetected by local law enforcement. At least as much as possible considering the body count she racked up on a daily basis at this point.

  Speaking of, Rodney doubled back to the Ice Cream parlor. That cute little waitress was just the snack to appease the bitch after he dropped the bombshell he'd just uncovered. He sent a text to Billy who should be out scouting in the area anyway. He was the perfect bait for this feeder fish. It didn't take long for the guy to show up and convince the teenager to take a break out back.

  Billy lured the girl into the alley with promises of sweet kisses and more. Rodney had already disabled the security camera by the back door. As soon as she was out of sight of the crowded streets, Rod stepped in. Slipping behind the girl with a rag of chloroform. She was out like a light in a second and in the trunk of his car in no time. Poor thing didn't know the hell that was in store for her. Rodney would feel bad, but he'd become immune to it all. He stepped on the gas as he headed into the warehouse district. The chloroform wouldn't keep her knocked out for long, and Maura preferred her pound of flesh tender and untouched.

  Molly sat reading a sappy romance novel and cursing at the hapless main character.

  "Fuck him! You deserve better!"

  She tossed the book down and picked up the next in the series. She hated that she couldn't even enjoy books like she used too. All because of Shane. She’d let herself believe just for a moment that they could actually go back to the happy naïve couple they used to be. It was easy to let it go when the Council was her main concern. Now after weeks of being alone, after the encounter with Brody, Molly was getting antsy.

  Molly was lonely and for what? There was no guarantee that Shane would make a recovery. That he would still want her when or if he did. She’d tried distracting herself with movies and books. The problem was every wistful sigh and longing look only brought up memories of the past. Memories, both happy and painful.

  "Good golly, Ms. Molly! You look positively scrumptious this fine evening," Shane said.

  His gaze traveling over her appreciatively. She'd worn an emerald green sweater to highlight her red curls and the blood red lipstick on her lips. Along with blue jeans to accentuate her hips and gold heels to lengthen her legs. She was short, but she knew how to make her legs look like they went all the way to heaven. It was their fourth date, and she had no idea where they were going.

  "Thank you. You look quite handsome yourself," Molly blushed under his clear approval.

  Shane held out his hand. Molly took it. Her heart fluttering already with just the light brush of his fingers across her palm before his hand encircled hers. He guided her down the stairs and helped her into his van. They made small talk as he drove towards the center of town.

  "Where are we going," Molly asked.

  They'd parked in the center of town but had already walked several blocks.

  "It's a surprise. I promise it's not far. I wouldn't want you to have sore feet at the end of our date," Shane said.

  He'd noticed her choice in shoes. He actually cared to note her choice and accommodate for them. If he got any sweeter Molly for sure would be a goner.

  "No worries of that. The way you've swept me off my feet I'll be on cloud nine all night," She rambled before she could catch herself.

  He grinned and pulled her closer, sliding his arm around her waist.

  "Is that so," He asked with a silly grin.

  It wasn't cocky but playful. Molly blushed again.

  "I'm sorry. That was too much," Molly said.

  "Don't be sorry. I like that you speak your truth. Never stop doing that. Always speak your truth around me and feel safe in the knowledge that I will do the same," Shane said.

  Molly looked up at him and found him gazing back at her. They stopped for a moment, and Molly was struck by a sudden realization. It had only been a month or so since their first meeting, but somehow she'd already fallen madly in love with Shane. Sure he was quirky and a little old-fashioned. Stuck in the seventies to be more precise but he was intelligent and worldly. She bit her lip feeling silly for just standing there staring into his hypnotizing eyes.

  "Kiss
me," She heard herself whisper, and he did just that.

  They made out like teenagers without a care in the world before rude catcalls forced them back to reality. They broke apart in a fit of giggles.

  "We should get going before it gets too crowded," Shane said, guiding her along once again.

  "Where are we..." She didn't finish her sentence as she realized they were at the gates of the carnival.

  She'd forgotten that the carnival was still running at this time of year. She smiled. It had been years since she'd been.

  "I hope you like it," Shane said, and she nodded.

  "It's perfect. You're perfect!"

  Molly groaned, tossing her book aside before grabbing the TV remote and turning on the news. The news was depressing and anything but romantic, the perfect distraction from her thoughts. At least until it showed a screen full of young female faces.

  Tonight's heartbreaking story, thirty young women either missing or dead. Is there a serial killer on the loose? Should a curfew be instated?

  Molly recognized one of the faces as the young waitress from the ice cream parlor and turned off the TV. If there was anything she wanted to think about less than Shane, it was the fact that Maura was still out there pillaging the innocent. Her reign of terror needed to end and soon. Not only to save the poor souls of the town but also because her shit was not good for business. A curfew would kill her club. Club Obelisk was only just barely out of the red as it was.

  Molly decided to call Xander and see if there was any update on the hunt. Hopefully, she wouldn't be interrupting anything between him and Cat, but this couldn't wait. Racking up that kind of numbers, he had to have some sort of lead by now. Maybe joining the boys in their hunt for Maura would help Molly pass the time before Shane's return. Give her something else to focus on besides her growing need to have him near. Even if they could never go back to how things were, Molly realized she still wanted Shane in her life. They'd been good friends before, at the very least they could return to that. Even as the thought crossed her mind, Molly knew that wasn't entirely true. While being friends would be tolerable it wasn't what her heart truly wanted.

  Shane sat stiffly in the leather chair across from Dr. Hartford. He wished he could stare at something other than the dull gray walls surrounding them as she went on her usual opening spiel. He was doing well in a group but had yet to open up in their private sessions. She hoped to change that soon.

  "Shane, are you still with me?"

  Apparently, he had missed a verbal cue.

  "Sorry I'm just a little tired," Shane said refocusing on the woman in front of him.

  Dr. Hartford smiled although it didn't reach her eyes.

  "I've received reports of you spending time with, Carrie. You know relationships are frowned upon during treatment," Dr. Hartford said.

  "She is just a friend. A friendly face in my otherwise lonely existence here. None of the others are very keen to speak to me outside of the group," He replied.

  "Does that bother you? The loneliness?"

  "It doesn't bother me. I could care less about making friends. It's just nice to be seen and appreciated for who I am and not my reputation and shortcomings," Shane answered.

  "You have spoken about your reputation before. Do you care to elaborate?”

  "Not particularly," Shane said.

  "You have made great progress here physically, Shane, but mentally you need to open up. If you aren't ready to share what is actually troubling you that's fine, but it will make your time here much more effective if you do," Dr. Hartford said.

  "I have told you about my failure in relationships," Shane protested, getting frustrated with this already.

  "You have told me about the girl, and while tragic, she is not the source of your troubles. There is something deeper that you haven't shared yet that has led to your poor choices in life. The lack of confidence that led you down the path towards addiction," Dr. Hartford said.

  She looked down at her notes and began flipping through them.

  "Last week you briefly mentioned your relationship with your human family wasn't the best. Why don't we start there?"

  "I don't need to talk about that. We both know that our human lives cease to exist the moment we are turned," Shane did his best not to show his unease about the topic.

  Even in his human life, he avoided talking about his family. Ever since the night his father had nearly killed him, Shane considered himself an orphan.

  "That may be true, but it doesn't mean those memories don't impact our new existence. Turning doesn't wipe the slate clean as much as we may like it too," Dr. Hartford said.

  "I am well aware, but my family is a non-issue," Shane snapped.

  "Are you sure? You mentioned several times over the last few weeks that you feel you are a disappointment to your father. You used the present tense multiple times in that regard."

  "What does it matter? The man is long dead and good riddance!"

  Shane hated that he was being grilled about that man. He gripped the edge of the chair to keep from lashing out at the woman. Dr. Hartford meant well. She thought she was helping him, but at the moment his baser instinct was in attack mode. Dr. Hartford sensed his anger and sat back in her chair. Her eyes darkening the way vampires did when they detected a threat.

  They sat for a moment, tensions steadily rising between them. Shane closed his eyes and lowered his head. It was a maneuver he'd quickly learned in situations like these. Well before he even met Maura. Maybe, Dr. Hartford was right. Perhaps Shane should open up the chapter of his life he thought was long passed. What did he have to lose at this point? Shane had already lost the trust of his friends, the love of his woman, and his dignity as a man in his quest for self-destruction. Shane released a heavy sigh before rubbing his hands over his face.

  "My father was a military man, as was his father, and his father, and his father before him," Shane began.

  He told the whole sordid story of his life before Maura. Of growing up the runt of the family. Always different and separate from those who were supposed to love and care for him. At the end of his story, he was exhausted both emotionally and physically but somehow the burden he hadn't known he'd been carrying lifted from his shoulders. He'd never felt this kind of relief before, not even when they'd sealed Maura's remains at MacDonald estate.

  "I think that is enough for the evening. This was a big breakthrough for you, Shane. Just remember that therapy should be your focus here. You have to build yourself up before you can even think about sharing yourself with another person so intimately," Dr. Hartford said.

  Shane chose not to acknowledge Dr. Hartford's statement. He stood with a nod and left her office, heading straight for the courtyard. He knew Carrie would be there waiting for him and he needed a friendly face after that torturous session. Dr. Hartford was right about one thing though. He did need to focus on getting himself together. From then on, he would take his time in therapy more seriously. If not for himself for Molly. She deserved a better man than he had been before and with the help of Carrie and Dr. Hartford, he knew he could become that man.

  Shane's Return

  Shane watched from the corner as Molly smiled and laughed with the man beside her. It took all his willpower not to storm over and drag her away from him. He may not be under the influence, but the primal urges towards her were still there. Everything inside of him screamed that she was his. This was not how Shane had expected the night to go. No, in his head it had gone much differently. In his head, Molly would have seen him enter immediately, recognized that he'd changed. That he wasn't the broken man she'd come to hate but the man she loved. The man he used to be or perhaps a better version. One that was stronger and more determined than ever to have her back.

  Not that he thought she would run to him and confess her undying love. That wasn't in the realm of logical, but he had at least thought he would get some acknowledgment. He hadn't expected that his grand entrance back into her life would be less than a fle
eting glance in his direction. Shane sulked over to the bar not surprised that Mack greeted him with coke as soon as he arrived.

  "Not what you expected, but I promise you she isn't unaware of your presence."

  "Aware but indifferent," Shane sighed downing the coke and wishing it was something with more kick, but as a recovering addict he quickly banished the thought. It was bad enough being at the bar surrounded by intoxicants and the intoxicated, but his life goals were worth more to him than the empty escape of his addictions.

  "You shouldn't be here," A soft feminine voice said from behind him. He slowly turned on the bar stool to face Carrie.

  "And neither should you," He said his eyes taking in his newest friend.

  Carrie had been the only vampire he'd ever met not afraid of him as one of Maura's Men. He had been genuinely happy to become friends with her, and she had been instrumental in helping him pull through to become the man he was now.

  "Come on Romeo. Obviously, tonight isn't going your way. How about we blow this den of iniquity and have some real fun," She said and pulled him off the stool.

  Shane could have resisted but after glancing in Molly's direction and seeing her leading her friend to her office. Well, Shane wouldn't be able to keep his cool if he stayed any longer.

  "What did you have in mind," Shane asked as they cleared the front door.

  "Let's play human," She said pulling him down the street towards the restaurant district. Shane smirked.

  Even locked in the confines of rehab and recovery, Carrie had liked to maintain her humanity as she liked to call it. It was a sentiment Shane was fond of. With so much crazy surrounding his life at the moment, it was good to forget his woes in a more innocent fashion.

  Shane was back. Of course, Molly already knew he was back. Cat had been counting the days until his return and keeping Molly painfully aware of his itinerary and how well he'd been doing in his treatment. Still, seeing him again. Seeing him not just back to his old self but somehow better. He was no longer the frail shell of a man who'd stalked her like the crypt keeper of failed romance. He'd filled out, his once emaciated and pale arms were bulging with muscle under tanned skin. His cheekbones no longer cut sharp imposing shadows on his face but rather drew you from his full pink lips to the sultry depths of his brown eyes.