Betrayal of the Dove - By Capri Montgomery Page 0,57

important,” Leo said firmly. “Are you going to call it in or do I have to?”

“What happened here?” Craig proceeded to start a report without worrying about calling too much in until he got answers. Shane watched Alyssa give an account of what happened. She left out a few things, mainly her suspicion that it was a military man.

“Seems not even your security guard can keep you safe,” he mumbled.

“She’ll be safe;” Shane snapped. “She’s packing a bag and she’s coming to stay with me.”

“Pardon me?” Alyssa tacked one hand to her hip and looked at him with scolding indignation. He knew he hadn’t asked her. Sure he hadn’t checked in to make sure it was okay, but if she thought he was going to leave her there unguarded she was out of her mind crazy. He could protect her better at his place. His security at home was better than what he was able to provide for her here. He wouldn’t leave her out in the open in case the bastard came back and tried it again.

“You’re staying with me and that’s not optional, Alyssa,” he nearly growled.

“What makes you think you have the right to tell me what to do?” She sassed him. She didn’t like people telling her what to do. She didn’t like the men in her life telling her what to do. Well, tough, he thought. He was going to keep her safe first and worry about getting a tongue lashing second.

“This,” he said as he angrily reached for her, pulling her close to his body and clasping one hand in her hair. Pulling her head back he let his mouth descend on hers, kissing her ferociously with the fervor of a man claiming full possession of his woman. He heard Craig clearing his throat, but he didn’t pay the man any attention. This, this heat and passion and proclamation that he had the right to keep her safe, was far more important than the man in uniform. When Shane pulled back and looked in her eyes he could see that her anger had softened.

“Oh, that,” she smiled on a breathless whisper. “You’ll get away with it this time because I hate snakes. But in the future, don’t think your alpha male routine is going to work on me. I grew up with two of them and if I didn’t take it from them I’m not going to take it from you either.” She said in a tone so serious and honest that he knew she wasn’t kidding. They were equals, and he was going to have to ask nicely rather than just assume things would be done his way. On the other hand of that, when it came to her safety he wouldn’t compromise. She would comply.

“Pistol,” Leo chuckled. “I love that fiery spirit in a woman.” He held up his hands when Shane cut him a look that told him to keep his hands off of her. “Not your woman,” he said.

“I’m still in the room here,” Craig snapped. “And I’m trying to take the report.”

“You need to call it in,” Leo said. “I’m sure the rules of engagement don’t work different here on the Mainland. Call it in,” he ordered as if he were on his home territory. Obviously Craig decided protesting would make him look like a bigger jerk than he already came off as because he called it in.

“You’ve had several robberies out here,” Leo went into on-duty mode fast. “Could this be related?” He, unlike Shane, seemed to be keeping his mind open to other enemies. Shane, however, was certain it was the same bastard that had killed two of his friends. He would have gotten three, but Larry was fortunately on his father-son bonding trip. He had been taking those trips with his son since he was a boy and he hadn’t stopped just because he was a grown man now. His son had been homeschooled and could easily take a few extra weeks away at any point in time, but now that he was a grown man, the trips went from three to four weeks on up to several months when Larry had the time off. Family was important to him, and with the death of his wife six years ago, Larry seemed to need the connection to his son even more. He put himself on modified duty, meaning he worked when absolutely necessary; otherwise, he came in after his time with his son. Larry Junior was