She’d also fired off a message to Viola, so she wouldn’t worry when Shelby didn’t show up for work. Both texts had ignited a barrage of incoming calls by Viola and some of the others on their team. The constant soft buzzing of Shelby’s phone had made her realize it’d only be a matter of time before they gave up on electronic means of communication and just showed up at her house. She wasn’t ready for that. Without much internal debate, she quickly packed a bag and got in her car.
Shelby was in Mayflower, Arkansas by nightfall.
She’d considered renting a vehicle, using a fake name to book a hotel in some random town, and paying for everything in cash. As she ate up the miles, though, her desire for solitude slowly shifted and the thought of going to the small southern town gradually took over. Shelby didn’t have many friends outside her close-knit team, but there was someone she could talk to there. Someone who knew what it meant to be on a difficult assignment involving a man she loved. Someone who’d been faced with the dilemma of professional life versus personal life. Her former teammate, Anna Sue Fisher.
Although Shelby and Anna no longer worked on the same team, they had worked on a major assignment together, the assignment that changed everything for Anna, forcing her to confront her feelings for Blade and altering the path of her career. Anna had been ordered to stick by Blade while Shelby had been stationed at the Bang shift Garage, digging into the guys who worked there. It had caused heartache and tested bonds, and frustratingly enough, that assignment was also all because of Mason Showalter.
Yeah. If anyone could relate to what Shelby was going through, it was Anna. Not that Shelby was sure she wanted to talk just yet.
When she pulled up to Blade and Anna’s house, she killed the engine and stared at the front door. How was she even going to explain why she was here?
Taking a deep breath, Shelby got out.
“I wondered how long it was going to take you,” Anna said from the porch. Shelby’s gaze shot to her. The woman held up a bottle of wine and wiggled it enticingly. “Viola called.”
“Of course she did,” Shelby muttered. At least she didn’t have to explain now.
“Get your bags. You’re staying here.” She’d planned on driving into Conway and getting a room there, so she opened her mouth to protest. Anna stopped her short. “Don’t argue, girl. We’re drinking, which means you driving anywhere else is out. C’mon. I’ll open bottle number one.”
Anna walked back into the house, and Shelby rolled her eyes, but got her stuff before following. She’d been questioning whether she was ready to talk, but wine sure did sound nice. She dropped everything just inside the door.
“In the kitchen,” Anna called out.
Following the sound of Anna’s voice, Shelby asked, “When did you get so bossy?”
“Oh, I’d say right around the time I got engaged.” She pushed a full glass toward Shelby and looked at her. “Blade wants to get married in a barn just like Brody and Xan did. A barn.”
Shelby chuckled, and it felt good to let go just a little. “It was beautiful, and you know it.”
“Yeah, but that was before Roc started using it. I refuse to walk in horse shit.”
“In heels, no less.” Shelby laughed. “I’m surprised Blade’s family doesn’t want you guys to do it in Louisiana.”
“Girl, I can’t tell you how many times his mom has called me with locales down there, trying her best to talk me into it. When I told her I was planning an engagement party for up here, she about had a fit.” Anna waved a dismissive hand before taking a sip, her huge engagement ring sparkling in the low light.
“I still think that’s got to be the biggest diamond I’ve ever seen in real life.”
Anna smiled down at it. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Brax was overcompensating.” She wagged her brows. “But I do know better.”
“Lucky you,” Shelby said, her humor fading a bit. Anna was lucky. She’d come up against impossible odds and won. Both in life and love.
“I’m not gonna lie. It feels really good being on this side of the truth.” She motioned for Shelby to follow and they went into the living room, glasses in hand.
Shelby made a noncommittal noise and took a sip of her wine. Then she took another, bigger drink. “It feels super awful being on this side.”
“I know that, too.” Anna’s smile was sad. “But eventually, you’ll feel better.”
“Will I? No, I mean, really? ‘Cause I gotta say, this sucks.”
“Yeah. Granted, I knew Blade before that last case. Hell, we’d slept together.” Anna took a sip.
Shelby grinned. “Can’t believe you didn’t share that info immediately.”
“We all keep some secrets.” Anna raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t think I’m ready to go into all of that.” Shelby took a big drink.
“Fine. We have all night. Just don’t get too hungover because tomorrow, I’m sending you to the garage.
Shelby gaped at her. “What?”
“Girl, they are behind, and you could use a distraction. Besides, you’re better than every one of them when it comes to cars. Well, except for Blade.” She wiggled her ring finger. “I feel like I’m contractually obligated to be on his side on all things now.”
She wasn’t concerned with that. Shelby knew she was the shit when it came to auto repair, but she hadn’t been back at the shop since everything went down on the last mission. There hadn’t been time. She’d immediately been tasked to work the case in a different way.
“Are they mad?”
Anna tilted her head to the side as if she was thinking. “They were. Yes. I’d venture to guess they still don’t trust the government.”
“They’re mercenaries. When did they ever trust us?”
Anna chuckled.
