Page 51 of Shield and Savior

I see her. A blonde in a black business suit, deep red lips, hair slicked back in a bun so tight I wonder if she can even move her face without it snapping off. Her back is ramrod straight in the singular chair at the head of the long table. A power position. I know it all too well.

“Hi, it’s nice to finally meet you.” I offer my hand, wondering if she’ll come around the table to greet me or stare me down until I melt into the floor. “I hear you’re aKnights of the Nightfan. Any predictions for season three?”

She stands her ground, but leans forward to take my hand and shakes it. When she straightens back up, there’s a shift in her, like the business side drops. Her shoulders relax, and her smile softens her face. “I think we’ll finally see Reagon and Arema get together.” Her godlike façade drops, and she’s a geek like me. But her gaze shifts beyond my shoulder and there’s an iciness to her voice. “It’s nice to talk to a fellow fan, but I wish it was under better circumstances. I really do.”

“Yeah, crazy ex, mob boss’s daughter, it’s a whole thing.” I try to laugh it off, but the humor doesn’t reach the other side of the glass table.

Alana crosses her arms and leans back in her chair, her eyes never leaving Lance. He doesn’t flinch, but it seems like he’s staring down a dragon. “Is there anything you would like to say?”

It’s a trap! I know this trap. I’ve used this trap on Drew.

Lance says nothing.

Her eyebrow twitches. “Fine. I’ll start.” She drops her hands from across her chest and rubs them back and forth on her legs. Every word she speaks is louder than the last. “It’s a safe house…there are cameras everywhere.”

OH SHIT.

She knows.

“How the fuck could you be so stupid?” she says.

Lance’s back stiffens. “If you knew, why didn’t you put a stop to it?”

She slams her hand on the table. “Because if your dick was in her, at least I knew she wasn’t going to be in any danger. And it’s not like you have a choking kink.”

Lance flinches, and all the color drains from my face. Wait. Are they together? Oh, my god. They are.

“You have a girlfriend?” I whisper, the words sounding childish.

Alana jumps to her feet, sending her chair rolling and slamming against the wall. “Holy shit! You have a girlfriend too? What the actual fuck, Lance?”

Specs shakes his head. “Jesus, I expected more from you, man.”

Alana hangs her head and leans on the table, bracing her weight on her arms. She’s about to speak when Lance cuts her off. “Yeah, you Izzy.”

“You’re not sleeping with her?” I point to Alana.

She instantly sneers, “Eew, gross. I’m not here to yuck anyone else’s yum, but eew.”

What the hell is going on? Why doesn’t she want Lance? He’s one hell of a catch. And she’s kinda making me feel like shit for liking him. “What? Good-looking, sweet, attentive men who are great with kids not your thing?” I snap.

“It wasn’t your thing until a few weeks ago,” She bites, and I shrink into a chair.

Spec closes his laptop as the printer hums to life in the back of the room.

I sit and sigh. The legends about her are true.

Lance speaks up. “It’s not Izzy’s fault.” Immediately, he freezes.

Across the table, Alana stiffens. She hangs her head low and lets out a long sigh. “What did you call her?”

Lance scrubs his face and groans. I don’t understand why the sudden change. What’s wrong with calling me by my name?

He groans, “Shit,” and continues his thought process. “It’s not her fault. You shouldn’t get mad at her.”

Alana eyes him like he’s a bug not even worthy of her shoe. “I’m not mad at her. I’m pissed at you. Sheshouldgo out and get whatever the hell she wants. But you took advantage of the situation.”

“He didn’t take advantage of the situation,” I say. “I was a very willing participant.”

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