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

by Stella Williams

  “Shane,” Molly bit out.

  There was an awkward pause before Carrie spoke.

  “It’s nice seeing you again Molly. Would you care to join us?” Carrie asked.

  Molly shot a glare in the woman’s directions. Hell no she didn’t want to join them. What she wanted was to drag the tiny woman into an alley and show her just what she was up against.

  “Again? I wasn’t aware you two had met,” Shane said.

  “Carrie came by my club to introduce herself. I’m surprised she didn’t mention it. You apparently gave her the wrong idea about our relationship status,” Molly said with a raised eyebrow.

  Shane squirmed in his chair. He was nervous, and that made Molly happy. He should be uncomfortable.

  “Wrong idea?”

  “Young Carrie here thought that we were somehow more than friends. You must have neglected to tell her why we broke up. Did you not want to tarnish her high opinion of you,” Molly said.

  “Molly,” Shane said sounding defeated.

  “I don’t care about the past. I know who Shane is now and that’s all that matters,” Carrie said brightly.

  Shane seemed to relax a little, and that wasn’t what Molly wanted. This girl was delusional, and that was fine. Molly didn’t care about Carrie. Molly cared about Shane. If Carrie was his choice, she needed to know the truth. She needed to know what Shane was capable of. The reason that all it would take was a word from Molly to have Shane crawling back into her arms.

  “I thought that once too. Then Shane left me headless on the side of a road,” Molly made a show of checking her watch, “You two enjoy your evening.”

  Molly turned and marched away from the couple. Shane and Carrie both sat in stunned silence as she left. Molly should have felt better, she should have felt relief. Instead she still just felt sick and heartbroken. Shane was moving on from her. Maybe it was time she did the same. Without thinking about it, Molly pulled out her phone and dialed Brody’s number. It rung twice before she cursed and hung up. Brody was the last man she should be calling. No matter what happened with Shane, Brody was not the solution.

  “You forgot the popcorn,” Cat hissed as Molly joined her in the theater.

  Molly rolled her eyes and dropped her coat in the empty seat next to her best friend.

  “I’ll be back,” Molly muttered and headed back to the concession stand.

  Apparently, it had been long enough for Cat to get over her moment of weakness. At least one of them would be having a good night. After the movie Cat would surely head back to her loving mate while Molly went home alone. She was tired of being alone, but maybe that was for the best. Her taste in men wasn’t the greatest. Before Shane, her human boyfriend had been controlling and possessive. Shane proved less than dedicated, and Brody who was more interested in her body than her brain. Yeah, maybe Molly needed to stay focused on herself awhile longer.

  Carnival

  Brody could barely contain his anger as he saw Carolina smiling lovingly at that abomination. Outside of a human carnival at that. He had to chalk it up to the excessive force of Maura's demon blood running through the man's body. There was no way a woman of such high standing could possibly fall for such a monster. Brody did his best not to acknowledge the sting of rejection in his chest. A second woman meant to be his was now in the thrall of that thing.

  Granted the man was much better looking now than he had been when Brody had met him months ago. He had to have fallen back into favor with Maura. That was the only magic that could bring a man back from the edge of death so quickly. That or the life force of a pureblood. Brody snarled thinking of the possibility that Carolina had given herself entirely to the other man.

  Carolina had been promised to him. She was his to take and reap the benefits of her sweet bounty. He'd kissed her father's ass long enough to deserve the honor. How dare she ruin her purity before he could acquire it! Brody fought the urge to get out of the car. When Maximus requested his help in finding his daughter, the last place Brody expected to discover her was here with that thing.

  With Maura on the loose, vampires in the area had been circling their wagons so to speak. Either by picking up and moving to less treacherous pastures or feeding news and gossip to the authorities to aid in her capture. That is how he'd come across the rumors of an unattached pureblood female in town. He hadn't wanted to believe the story but when the poor man had described Carolina precisely as he remembered her. A small pixie of a woman with an air of mischief that left one unsure if she were a vampire or something else entirely. She exuded confidence that only came from years of people catering to your every whim.

  Brody had been anxious to get her into his bed after their first encounter. Not just because of the connections and status he would gain because of it. No, Carolina like Molly, needed a firm hand to break that insolent streak they both possessed. Alas, this situation would prove to be advantageous in other ways. If Maximus knew his daughter was being courted by one of Maura's Men, he would destroy them all with no question. With that deviant out of the way, Brody would have a clear field to conquer both women with little retribution.

  Molly was already a scorned woman. She would be in desperate need of his influence and lonely enough to be brought to her knees before him. Molly had called him out of the blue. She was already regretting her decision to reject him and would be easy to conquer once this situation played itself out. Carolina was now a ruined woman. No one would want her now that she was tainted. Maximus would probably rush their mating to cover the grievous affront to his bloodline. That would leave Brody to do as he pleased with her. That thought alone is what kept Brody from storming across the street and making his presence known. Instead, he pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Maximus' private line.

  "You better not have disturbed me with more bad news," Maximus snapped.

  Brody resisted the urge to just hang up at the man's ill-mannered response.

  "I've found, Carolina. I cannot extract her as of yet, but I have news that's best delivered in person," Brody was purposely vague in his wording.

  He wanted to make the man squirm a bit before giving him the assurances he needed. Maximus was powerful and entitled. Brody had once looked up to the man, at least until he'd gotten to know him. Maximus was just as power-mad and vengeful as the very creature he'd vowed to destroy. It wasn't just a rumor about his ancestor being the one who had sired Maura. It was his bloodline that was responsible for the horrors she had committed. Still, the man was intent on recreating the conditions that had brought Maura into her power. Maximus had several magic slaves in his possession. The keeping of slaves was frowned upon in vampire society. Not to say that other means of demeaning servitude weren't employed but actual slaves were no longer the norm. Maximus only got away with his madness by claiming the women in his care were willing participants. He had enough sway in the world that no one dared question it.

  "You will bring my daughter to me at once," Maximus demanded.

  "If that were possible I would. Like I said there are things I must discuss with you in person. I will be at your doorstep by the morrow," Brody hung up before the man could threaten him any longer.

  Brody got in his vehicle and drove off. His headlights lighting up the alley across from where he parked. A thin weasel-like man stood in the alley's darkness staring directly at him. A moment of recognition hit Brody. He'd seen the man a few times when visiting Molly at her club. Something had never felt right about the man, but Brody chalked it up to his less than pleasant face. He was likely a rogue spy, keeping tabs on regular vampire society for his rogue master.

  Under normal circumstances, Brody would have stopped to take care of the man. Most rogues held loose loyalty and could easily be paid to keep quiet about things of import they may have overheard. However, tonight he didn't have the patience nor the time. He had to get to Maximus quickly before he lost his small window of opportunity to manipulate the outcome of this story.

  "Care to fina
lly tell me what brings you to the area?" Shane asked.

  Shane waited with Carrie in line for the next attraction to the local carnival. This whole date was a bad idea, but he'd promised Mack and Cat that he would at least make an effort to see if Carrie could be more than just a friend. After the awkward evening with Molly, he couldn’t say their concerns were unwarranted.

  Carrie was a sweet enough girl. They had pleasant conversations, and she was already a vampire, one who didn't mind he was one of Maura's Men. He hated that moniker, but unfortunately, that was how he and the others were known to the vampire world.

  Normally, Shane wouldn't be caught dead anywhere near a place like this. It held too many memories of happier times. It was at this same carnival so many years ago that he'd finally confessed to Molly that he was a vampire. He'd wholly expected her to think him insane. Or worse yet fawn all over him like some vampire crazed teenager but she had surprised him. She'd asked thoughtful questions and been the perfect amount of distrustful and understanding.

  It had also been the first and only time since his escape from Maura that he'd taken human blood from the source. He could remember the way her pulse jumped. How her scent had changed from anxious to aroused when his canines pierced the tender flesh of her neck. He hadn't taken much just a small taste, but it had been enough to have him embarrassing himself like a prepubescent boy. Especially when another part of his anatomy had pierced an even more sacred flesh.

  "Shane," Carrie's voice brought him back to reality.

  Shane shifted uncomfortably with the clear bulge in his pants. His arousal hadn't escaped Carrie's notice. She smirked before slipping her hand into his.

  "We're next," she said.

  Shane forced a smile onto his face as he handed their tickets to the acne-riddled teen manning the ride.

  "I'm sorry I zoned out earlier but can you tell me again. What brought you to my neck of the woods?" He asked once they had passed the entry gates.

  Carrie smiled before leaning over to place a kiss on his lips. Shane was shocked into silence. He had been only slightly aware that her friendship had somehow crossed into a mild infatuation, but he had been very clear about where his heart resided.

  "I know you are in love with someone else, but I firmly believe there is something between us that begs to be explored," She said before pulling the safety bar down to their laps. Locking him in the now uncomfortably small car.

  Before he could escape the cars began to move, and he realized with dismay that they were on one of the longest rides at the event. Dubiously named the Love Canal.

  Carrie knew almost as soon as she'd kissed him that she'd moved too quickly. If her father credited her with anything, it was her stubbornness. It still hurt knowing that he had become so aroused by the thought of another woman in her presence. It didn't matter that Shane's heart was still with someone else. She hadn't been able to help herself. He was smart, funny, and gorgeous. He checked every woman’s must-have list, and here he was wasting away because of one woman's refusal to forgive.

  No, she wouldn't sit idly by and pine for him. That just wasn't her style, and well frankly the man needed to know he had options. That Molly must have no idea what she'd cast aside. If Shane were to try and move on, Carrie was glad to help him with that. Still, she had to come up with something to ease the tense mood. It would do her no good if Shane took off as soon as the ride was over. She had to salvage their friendship at least if she hoped to have any chance of getting him to recognize their relationship as something more.

  "Carrie. I cannot lie to you and say that my heart will be swayed," Shane began, but Carrie put her hand over his mouth.

  "Don't say it. Don't push me away because my feelings for you are more than you expected," Carrie said, hating the vulnerability in her voice.

  "You are a sweet girl, but I don't care about you in that way," He said with a finality that almost crushed her.

  "Like I said. I know you are in love with someone else, but my feelings won't allow me to just give up without trying. Please just allow me the pursuit even if I fail. It will be better than not trying at all. Give me an honest shot. Give yourself a chance at happiness without all the drama," She urged, and a small smile touched his lips.

  A sign that gave her hope that maybe he just might have some interest in her after all.

  "I'm sorry. I hope you will still come to the dinner tomorrow evening. The party is just as much a celebration for you as it is for me. I wouldn't have come this far as fast without your continued friendship," Shane said.

  "I will be there as your friend, but my affections won't be easily dismissed," Carrie stated.

  They rounded the bend back to the start, and it seemed Shane couldn't get out of the ride car fast enough.

  "You are an amazing woman, Carrie. You deserve more than I could ever offer you," Shane said.

  He placed a chaste kiss on her cheek and walked away. Carrie stood there at the exit of the ride, frustrated and alone. She would still go to the dinner at his home. If she had any chance of changing his mind it meant she needed back up and what better back up to have than the endorsement of those closest to him.

  When Shane left Carrie at the carnival, he hadn’t had a destination in mind. He hadn’t wanted to go back to the mansion, where Cat would undoubtedly question him about his date with Carrie. It hadn’t been a date. At least not for him. His heart was with Molly. Even if he wanted to move on, Shane didn’t think he could.

  Being at the carnival had brought back too many memories. It had been a bad idea to begin with. Shane kept walking, trying to clear his head, trying to come up with a plan of action. Shane needed to win his woman back. He’d decided to give her space. Shane tried to see Carrie as someone he could be with, but there was no substitute for true love. He deserved a happy ending with Molly.

  “What are you doing here?”

  Molly opened her door just enough to peak her head out. It was late, the sun was rising, and he knew she was tired from a long night at the Club Obelisk. Still, he’d had come to see her. Had to make his feelings clear one more time.

  “I want to talk,” He said lamely.

  His confidence failing under her withering glare.

  “Shouldn’t you be snuggling with your new girlfriend at this hour?”

  “Carrie is not my girlfriend. Can I come inside? I didn’t think I would be out this late and I don’t have my shielded glasses,” He said.

  Molly looked as if she were going to slam the door in his face, but thankfully she opened the door enough for him to slip inside. As soon as he was across the threshold, he pulled her into his arms.

  “I thought you wanted to talk,” She said.

  Her tone full of attitude but the softness of her body in his arms belied her true feelings.

  “Talking can wait. There is something I want to do first.”

  Shane bent down and brushed his lips across hers. Just the barest whisper of soft skin on skin yet heat shot between them as if he’d devoured her.

  “Shane,” She gasped.

  It was a plea for more. A request Shane would never deny. His mouth crushed to hers, letting the emotion run freely between them. Molly’s hands encircled him, running along his back and sides. Her nails raking over his clothing. She was hot and delicious, but as much as Shane wished to indulge the need to take her, he knew that he needed to talk to her first. He needed to make it clear what was in his heart.

  “Molly, please. We need to talk,” Shane said.

  He took a step back, putting enough room between them to cool the raging fires of lust.

  “Fine,” Molly breathed and gestured for him to follow her further into her home.

  She made them both a cup of blood before sitting across from him at the small kitchen table.

  “We haven’t had a chance to really talk since I came back from rehab,” Shane began.

  “Maybe because you’ve been too busy with that girl,” Molly snorted over her steaming cup.

&nb
sp; “She is my friend. She helped me a lot during my therapy. It would be rude of me to ignore her during her stay,” Shane said.

  “Yet ignoring me is perfectly fine.”

  This talk was not going how he expected. Granted he hadn’t even been sure Molly would open the door for him. During therapy, he’d been able to talk to Cat a few times. She’d mentioned how much everyone missed him, including Molly. Yet when he’d shown up, she acted as if he wasn’t there. He’d been all but invisible to her unless it was to shoot barbs about his relationship with Carrie. Shane was tired of her venomous attitude.

  “You’ve been the one ignoring me!”

  Molly looked stricken. Shane had never raised his voice at her, but he couldn’t hold back his anger at that moment, any more than he could hold back his love for her any other time.

  “I’m sorry. This isn’t what I wanted. I love you, Molly. I have always loved you. I don’t know if there is anything more I could possibly do to prove that to you. I mean, I’ve gotten my shit together, I gave you the space you said you needed. I am here before you now to profess my love,” Shane said.

  Molly’s gaze softened. She set her mug down.

  “You’re love was never in question. It was your commitment to that love. I’m not the same girl I was before. Pretty words no longer sway me. It’s your actions I take issue with. You claim you have made all of this change for me, but you haven’t shown it to be true. Honestly, you shouldn’t have changed for me. You should have changed for you.”

  Shane hated how much Molly sounded like Dr. Hartford. He’d been released from rehab because of his progress, but Dr. Hartford had warned that his journey to recovery was only just beginning. That he had lots more road to travel before he was ready to be intimate with anyone again.

  Molly sat waiting for Shane to speak. She hadn't expected him to visit at that hour, but she was glad he had. He'd been right. They did need to talk. There was a lot to talk about but Molly really just wanted to get back to the steamy kisses of before. It had been so long since they'd shared that heat, that intensity. She wanted more, and she was almost willing to forget everything to have it. She would have if Shane didn't push her away.