Page 8 of Shea's Hero

“Cole. Zane and Elle. Nora and Jackson. Niall and Jade.” Maya pauses. “Shea’s here. She’s the one who—” She stops. “Oh. I see you guys coming down the street. I’m hanging up.”

What?

My mind short-circuits for a second.

Shea is there?

MyShea?

No. Not my Shea anymore. Not for years.

But what was Maya saying? Shea’s the one who…what? Was hurt?

Is Shea hurt?

Kane slams on the brakes, bringing us to a rocking stop in front of the Hop-less Horseman. He turns to me, worry in his gaze. “Are you okay, Kingston? I know this is your family.”

“I’m okay,” I grit out. “Maya said she’s fine. Let’s get in there and figure out exactly what happened.”

Even though Gloria said the suspects were gone, Kane and I exit the car with our guns drawn, low but at the ready. We make a quick surveil of the patio, and I notice two broken chairs near the railing closest to the sidewalk. In the corner diagonal to them, nearest to the entrance, several glasses lie shattered on the concrete patio.

“Looks clear out here,” Kane says. “We’ll want to see if they have any surveillance footage.”

“Definitely.” I angle my chin at the front door. “Come on. Let’s get in there.”

As soon as we walk inside the pub, I lower my weapon. I spot the Blade and Arrow guys immediately, their imposing figures huddled in a semi-circle around one of the tables. Cole spots me and taps Zane’s shoulder, and they head over to meet us.

“Oliver.” His jaw is rigid and anger burns in his gaze. But behind the anger is the same fear I saw there when Maya was hurt. And again when she was in labor.

Whatever happened here, it was too close.

“I’m assuming you cleared everything?” I ask. I wouldn't expect anything less from Cole and his team.

“Of course. Nora’s standing guard at the back door to make sure no one tries to leave. And all the windows and doors are locked.”

Kane glances at me. “I can do a check while you start getting statements. Sound good?”

I lift my chin at him. “Sounds good.” Looking back at Cole, I ask, “So, what happened?”

His expression goes stormy. “Jade and Shea were out on the patio. Elle went out to ask them a question. That’s when the van pulled up. Two men got out, went for the women. We heard yelling, then Jade and Elle triggered their tracking alerts. Another group of women that had been out there came running inside just as we went out there.”

Zane scowls, clearly upset at how close his wife came to being abducted again. A muscle in his jaw twitches. “You’ll need to talk to Jade, Shea, and Elle to get all the information. Elle didn’t see as much because she wasn’t sitting with them. She was halfway across—” He stops. “Fuck. This was too fucking close.”

I work to keep the worry from my voice. “The dispatcher said someone was hurt?”

Cole’s lips thin. “Yes. Shea. She tried to fight them off. And one of them hit her.”

What?

Shea may be my ex and things didn’t end well, but for someone tohither?

“I need to talk to her. Is she—” Shit. My heart is racing.

“This way.” Cole gives me a curious look. “She’s just over here.”

As I follow him across the pub, I remind myself firmly,this is just another call. I’m here to do my job. Shea’s a witness. A victim. Our past relationship has no relevance here.

It sounds good in theory.

---