Page 18 of Lane (East Dremest Mafia #5)

LANE

“You’re smiling.”

“You’re very observant, Vinny,” I replied. We’d entered the gym to work out together. I wished we could spar. I’d love a good fight right now.

After being in Alton’s home all weekend, I was ready to move, at least mentally. My thigh still wasn’t happy. If Alton saw me in the gym today, he’d have my ass, and I’d let him. There were other things I could do in here that didn’t impact my leg though.

“You get shot, spend the weekend with the Doc and Ray, and you’re not going to give me anything at all?” he asked.

“I’m not sure what you’d like me to say.” It wasn’t as if I was hiding what I had with them. Everyone knew there was something going on.

“You’re together though, right?”

I rolled my eyes. “Yes, are you happy now?”

He grinned. “Absolutely.”

“I’m not sure why my love life is so interesting.”

He stepped onto the treadmill to warm up.

The man was massive and when he got going on it, his feet pounded as he ran.

He was sheer power. “We want to see all of you happy. You have to understand how long this tension has been going on between Ray and Alton. They needed to get their heads out of their asses.”

“They needed to bridge the gap between them, show them they were right for each other. Enter me, the bridge.” I smiled.

“You’re discounting yourself.”

“Not at all. I understand my part, but I also know without me, they wouldn’t stay together. The three of us work. If you took one away, it wouldn’t be the same.”

He nodded. “I know what you’re saying. Jordan wouldn’t work with only one of his men. The three of them are whole.”

“Exactly.” I walked to the weights and decided to work on my arms and chest, all the while babying my leg.

If I tore open the stitches, neither Raiden nor Alton would want me to work.

I’d be damned if I’d lay on my ass for weeks because a bullet tore through my leg.

I had to prove myself to Jordan. That I could be who he needed to help him.

“So, second-in-command?” I had waited for him to bring it up. He was in the room when Jordan mentioned it.

“You’re not going to give me shit too, are you? I already had to deal with Raiden. I don’t need you to start with me.”

He put his hands up as his legs moved, keeping a steady jog. “It’s not my business what you do. I just need to know who I’m protecting daily. That’s not to say I wasn’t surprised. I figured after your mom said she didn’t want you in this life, you wouldn’t be.”

I shook my head. “She hated what they did, but she didn’t get a chance to know Jordan.

Back then, I wouldn’t have thought he was who he is now.

He’s not the same as my pretend father and brothers.

For all the bad Jordan does, he still does good for the city.

Besides, what the hell else am I going to do with my time?

I have no desire to go to college. I also don’t want to push my way into any business or own my own.

My skills are strong, even if the assholes I used to live with saw me as weak.

They didn’t realize how observant I was. ”

“True.”

“My mom would want me to follow my heart. I left them, got away, and they’re dead now. I have some of the money she put aside for me. The rest was donated. I’d hope she’s proud of me.” I shrugged, trying to play off the emotion in my voice. “She’d like Raiden and Alton.”

Vincent grinned. “You picked two good men.”

“Damn right I did.”

The thing was, Raiden and Alton voiced concerns about the three of us being together. Alton worried he didn’t fit. Raiden would be jealous if he wasn’t included. Me, well, I took everything in stride with them. I was flexible, willing to bend while also maintaining who I was.

Vincent and I talked more as we worked out.

We kept the conversation light, joking about the guards, laughing at how Barrett still squirmed sometimes under Jordan’s glare.

We also talked about Barrett being the PR person for the mafia boss.

That was something I couldn’t get over. It made sense, but it was funny as hell.

I was wiping the sweat from my forehead with my shirt when Hartley entered the room, his rottweiler puppy behind him. “There you are. I was looking for you.”

“You found me.” He was my family, my blood. He and Forest were all I had left who I cared about. Sure, there were aunts, uncles, and cousins I hadn’t talked to for years upon years. They wanted nothing to do with my pretend father. It was no loss for me. I didn’t know them then, didn’t want to now.

“Come up when you’re done. I want to take your measurements.”

“Why?”

“Jordan said you need to dress better if you’re to stand by his side.” I should have seen this coming. The man lived in suits. With Hartley being a fashion designer and making Jordan’s clothes, this was par for the course. There was no point in fighting it.

“Can we make some modifications? Maybe no tie? I don’t like the way they feel on my neck. At least I can keep the top of the shirt unbuttoned and let this bit of hair free.” I rubbed my bare chest.

“You’re my family. I don’t need to see you doing that.”

I laughed. “Fine, but no tie.”

“Deal. I’ll see you upstairs in a bit. Vail’s making dinner. You can come too, Vinny.”

“Nah, I’m good. I told Sheldon I’d take him out tonight. That man needs some air. He stays cooped up in here too much.”

“Good idea.” Hartley turned, calling his dog as he did so. She trailed along behind him out the door.

While Vincent kept going, I finished working out and took a shower.

There was only so much I could do. Besides, I wanted to get the whole suit-measuring thing over with.

I wasn’t a suit guy. Maybe I could sway Hartley into sweaters or knit tops versus a button-down. No jacket either. It was worth a shot.

I hit the button for the elevator when I exited the gym. There was no way I was taking the stairs with my leg in the shape it was. Even I knew when not to push it.

The ride up was quick, the doors opening into the home Jordan shared with Hartley and Vail.

I was aware Raiden was on duty tonight since he was with Alton and me this morning.

Raiden and I had driven back to the building and shared a few kisses before going our separate ways.

I understood him wanting an all-or-nothing type of deal in regard to sex.

That didn’t mean I spent my shower when I got home simply cleaning myself.

Of course, I had to fist my dick at the memory of our first time together.

“Hi,” I said and grinned at Raiden when I stepped off the elevator. I glanced around, not seeing anyone but Vail in the kitchen. My lips brushed Raiden’s in a quick kiss, not willing to push my luck.

“Hey,” he whispered, his fingers skating over mine.

Hartley descended the stairs, cutting off any conversation between Raiden and I before it started. “Ready?”

“Yes, but I had an idea. I really don’t like suits. Can’t I just wear slacks and a gorgeous sweater or something? Or anything other than a button-down? It’s not me.”

“We can do that. If Jordan asks, I’ll say it was my idea.” He winked.

“You’re a good nephew.”

Hartley groaned. “Don’t call me that. It’s still weird. I’m older than you.”

“Ah, yes, your uncle is still young and agile while you’re old and moving slowly.”

He cocked his eyebrow. “Really? I’m not the one limping because I was shot.”

A growl came from behind me. We both turned to stare at Raiden, who said nothing.

“Easy there.” I patted his chest. “I’m fine.”

Hartley laughed. “Let’s go upstairs in the spare room so I can take your measurements.”

I followed behind him, saying hello to Vail along the way. The stairs were slightly challenging, but I made do. I was surprised Raiden didn’t rush to lift me like he did at Alton’s. I had to say, it was pretty damn nice having all that muscle and sexiness holding me like a feather.

Hartley walked into a spare room where he had what he needed laid out on the bed. “This won’t take long.”

He was efficient in his measurements, making conversation as he did so. “Alton and Raiden, huh?”

“You’re as subtle as Jordan.” Which was not at all. Jordan didn’t even attempt to be so.

“Why avoid the topic? I’m curious and want to know what’s going on.” At least he was honest.

“We’re together, not seeing anyone else.” The whole living situation was a challenge. It was another way Alton didn’t feel like he belonged, but we’d work it out.

Jordan’s building was the first home I felt comfortable in since… well… forever. Alton’s was even more so, but we couldn’t stay there. Raiden had to be near Jordan in case he needed him. Plus, if I was working for Jordan, I had to be as well.

“You’ll get to where you’re meant to be.

For what it’s worth, I’m happy for all of you.

Raiden’s smiling more. At least he was until you got shot.

Let’s just say I didn’t handle that well and took the brunt of my anger out on Jordan.

Not my finest moment, but he took it in stride.

” I had to remember I had family who cared about me.

Ones who would be upset if I was seriously hurt.

With my mom gone, I forgot what that was like.

“I’m sorry. I should have called and told you I was okay. You and Forest.”

“Stop. That’s not why I said it. Jordan kept me updated. I meant I’m happy when those I care about are too.” He smiled up at me as he finished his measurements and stood. “There. All done.”

I reached for him, embracing him tightly. “Thank you for caring.”

His arms came around me. “You don’t have to thank me for that. I’m glad you’re here, Lane. Forest and I both are.”

My eyes became misty, but I did my best to blink the emotion away. They were happy tears.

“Why do I always miss everything?” I heard from behind me.

Turning, I found Forest in the doorway. “You wanted to be here while your brother felt me up?”

“Oh my god! I didn’t do that!” Hartley yelled.

I couldn’t hold in my laugh. “You’re so easy.”

He shoved my shoulder, causing me to stumble back a step. Damn leg.

He gasped. “I’m sorry.” Then he was hugging me again.

I reached my arm out for Forest. “Get in here and hug your uncle.”

Forest came forward, a smile teasing the corner of his lips. He let me pull him into our hug—our family hug. I could get used to this. These men were my blood. Downstairs and in another part of East Dremest were two other men who were filling the space in my chest.

I’d never considered myself a blessed person, quite the opposite.

I’d wondered what I did to deserve the hell I’d been put through.

It led me to where I currently stood though.

My path wasn’t easy and, at times, I didn’t know how I went on.

But I came out on top in the end. That was all that mattered.