Page 23 of Lane (East Dremest Mafia #5)

ALTON

They all made it out for the party. Reghan, Barrett, Lane, and Raiden.

Jordan was fine with them going, but apparently grumbled something about being soft after he told them it was fine.

I wasn’t surprised. The man I met years ago had changed for the better.

I didn’t consider it softening. He was growing, evolving.

Jordan was still a badass, but he was also a family man now.

He had two partners he’d die for. A daughter, while unexpected, he loved no less than he did his biological son. They were thriving.

We took two vehicles into the suburbs of Dremest, where Raiden’s parents lived.

Reghan drove his Jeep Gladiator while Raiden drove his Dodge Durango SRT.

I sat in the front and Lane was in the back.

He kept trying to lean between the front seats to get closer to us, but I was quick to remind him how many lives seat belts saved.

It was a compulsion I couldn’t help. When a person put themselves in a dangerous situation, I had to speak.

Except when it was Raiden and Lane walking into the unknown, armed with guns and who knew what else, to face who the fuck knew what.

Fine, I nitpicked the small things I could control, like them wearing seat belts.

Raiden and Lane had been doing more to make me feel included.

They didn’t come out and say it, but it was in what they did.

They texted me more often, would call when I was on break if they were able to.

We’d meet up most nights. I went to them, unless they were able to get away.

The closeness helped me feel more a part of them.

Tonight, Lane and I were meeting Raiden’s parents. I wasn’t nervous, but I worried they might not like me being almost ten years older than their son. The age gap wasn’t huge, although it was still there.

The house we pulled up to was a sprawling ranch on a large plot of land.

The setting sun allowed me a nice view of it before it became dark.

The driveway wasn’t overly long, and there were multiple vehicles already parked in it.

It was located on a quiet road where the mailboxes along the street were painted a variety of colors. It had a welcoming neighborhood feel.

“The gang’s all here,” Raiden muttered. “Get ready to be inundated with at least some of the Dremest royalty. And probably Jordan’s son.”

“I get to meet JJ?” Lane asked. “This could be fun.”

Raiden shook his head. “Interesting is more like it.”

I knew who JJ was but hadn’t spoken with him at length.

We exited the SUV and followed Reghan and Barrett inside.

Only two feet in the door and a woman with dark brown hair had her arms around Barrett.

She wore a pair of black pants and a white blouse that showed off her slim waist. “There you are. I’m so glad you could make it.

” She kissed Barrett on the cheek. “Reghan, Raiden, come give me a hug.” They went to her while Lane and I stood behind them.

She looked me over then Lane when she was done hugging her sons. Pointing at Lane, she said, “You must be Lane. You look more danger than doctor, especially with that charming smile.”

“That’s me.” He extended his hand. “Lane Everhart, half of the men your son is dating.”

“Nonsense.” She bypassed his hand and leaned in to give him a hug.

“That makes you Dr. Alton Keeley. I’ve heard a lot about you, not only from Raiden but Reghan as well.

Word also gets around at the hospital. I haven’t seen you before, but people speak very kindly about you.

I’m glad my son finally got his shit together and made a move with you. ”

I forgot she was a nurse. I didn’t like gossip, so I wasn’t current on what others spoke about. I didn’t blush easily and rarely ever. Standing in front of Lily Sutton, my cheeks heated. “I’m not sure what to say. It’s very nice to meet you.”

“You get a hug too.” When she embraced me, she whispered, “You’re good for my son.” She leaned away, her brown eyes sparkling as she smiled. I returned it.

“Everyone is in the family room.” She led the way through the house.

I tried to take in as much of it as I could.

There were photos on the walls of the twins, ones I’d love to look at closely sometime.

A vase of fresh flowers sat on a slender table in the hall.

Through an updated kitchen and dining area, we entered a large family room that must have been an addition to the house. People filled most of the space.

“Boys,” an older man who could only be their father greeted as he walked toward us. He was just as tall as them but not as wide in the chest. There was no mistaking his strength. His black T-shirt stretched over his large biceps. Tattoos covered both arms.

“Happy birthday, Dad,” Raiden said and leaned in for a half hug. Reghan did the same. “Did you get the gift we sent?” They had found something online, and we all pitched in for it.

“I did. Thank you, all of you.” He extended his hand to me. “Thane Sutton. You must be the doc.”

“I am.” I shook his hand. “Alton Keeley. Happy birthday.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you could make it. And you must be Lane Everhart. You need no introduction. Everyone knows who you are.”

“I’m not sure if that’s good or bad,” Lane said. He didn’t drop his gaze or act like he was ashamed. He shouldn’t be. He offered his hand first, which Thane shook.

“It’s not bad as long as you take care of my boys. One more than the other. I’d tell you not to bring danger their way but given what you do and for who, that’s not possible. Instead, have Raiden’s back like I know he has yours.”

“I will. Always.”

“Good. Grab a drink and a snack. Dinner will be ready in about an hour. Mingle. Maybe get Dom to stop flitting around like he’s hosting. I swear that man doesn’t have an off switch.”

I made a point of knowing who was who in Dremest. As I scanned the room, my eyes brushed over most of the Dremest elite.

Dominic Summit was a dancer at Untouchable, Dexen Dremest’s club.

Dominic was also the partner of Perry Altair Jr., Jordan’s nephew, and Peyton Lynx, Perry’s bodyguard.

Perry alone was half of the wealthiest in West Dremest. He’d inherited his father’s assets and wealth when he passed.

Perry knew how to run a business. He was an Altair, after all.

Standing near them were Dexen Dremest, JJ Altair, and Greer Lynx.

Dexen owned more than his club, where the wealthy went to watch men strip on stage and give them private shows.

I’d been tempted on more than one occasion to join the club.

There were other businesses in Dexen’s name, but Untouchable was what he was known for—that and being the namesake family of the city.

JJ needed no introduction. The man oozed power in a different way than Dexen and Perry did. JJ’s came from growing up the son of a mafia boss. While JJ distanced himself from his father for a long time, they were growing close again, at least from what I’d heard.

Greer Lynx was Peyton’s brother and the CSO at Perry’s company. He’d made a name for himself there, but also with the impressive security systems he designed.

It wasn’t only in Jordan’s building that I heard about the upper class of people in and around Dremest. The patients who came to my practice liked to talk. Some of them didn’t have many in their lives, so I was an ear for them to gossip to.

Raiden placed his arm around my waist. “Let’s make the rounds; then we can snack. Mom is a hell of a cook.”

Lane came up along my other side and threaded his fingers with mine. First, we went to JJ and his men. Raiden made the introductions, but it was JJ who quickly took over the conversation.

“The old man let all of you out for the night, huh?” He whistled.

“Two of his best guards and his up-and-coming second-in-command. Before you ask how I know that, I know everything. I have eyes and ears all over both sides of the city. Plus, Thane told Dex who his son was dating, and Dex keeps nothing from Greer and me. Hi, JJ Altair.” Both Lane and I shook his hand.

“These are my partners, Dexen and Greer.” His eyes met Raiden’s.

“It’s nice to see you when you’re not holding up a wall. ”

“Yeah, well, that’s not my job any longer.”

JJ’s eyebrows went up. “Did the old man fire you?”

“I’m the personal protection for Lane. Only the best for your dad’s second.”

“Well, well, I’m surprised he let that fly. Then again, Vail and Hartley have had a positive influence on him. He actually gave me Christmas gifts last year. Not a check inside a card. Wrapped gifts. I stared at them at first, not sure what to do.”

Raiden chuckled. “He gave Reghan and me new apartments for our birthday and put the keys in little boxes with bows on them.”

“Wow, the evolution of the mafia boss. Good on him though. He’s doing better all around.”

Before JJ could say more, a man slightly taller than me with steel-gray eyes pushed between Greer and JJ. Dominic wore a pair of slender fitting jeans and a silver top that looked as if it had glitter woven into it.

His gaze raked over us. “Honestly, don’t any of you know how to dress for a party? I’m the only one here who looks like I give a fuck.”

“Vixen,” Peyton growled from behind Greer. The Lynx brothers reminded me of the twins. Both massive and ready to hurt anyone who messed with them or the ones they loved. Greer had an easygoing smile, while Peyton was more serious. Similar to the serious Reghan and the smiling Raiden.

“Shush, Pey, I’m meeting new people.” He focused on me first. “I don’t know you. Have you been to the club?”

“I haven’t.”

He hummed. “You’re standing with Raiden, who I know is one of Jordan’s guards. Are you Jordan’s doctor? I heard Raiden was dating one and another mafia guy. You don’t scream mafia to me.” He leaned close and whispered, “Do you dig out the bullets when they get shot?”

I laughed. “I don’t disclose patient details.”

“Damn. It was worth a try. And you must be the mafia guy,” he said to Lane.

“Are you always this forward?” Lane asked.

“Yes. I shake my ass on stage for a living. You don’t do that and manage a bunch of dancers by being shy.”

“Lane Everhart, and you are?”

“Oh, sorry. Dominic Summit. I’m part of the hulking angry guy behind me and the man in the corner with the phone pressed to his ear.

Excuse me.” He turned and walked to Perry, plucking the phone from his hand, speaking into it, then putting it in his pocket.

When I glanced back to our group, Peyton was already on his way to them.

I was glad I paid attention to the news. Having most of the men here appear on local sites for their charity work, it was easy to know who was who. They might not know me, but I read enough about them.

“You’ll have to excuse Dom,” Dexen said. “He knows very well how he comes across and doesn’t care. He’s damn good at his job, so he can pretty much do whatever he wants at the club. It bleeds into other areas of his life too.”

Thane stopped by Dexen’s side. “You’re not talking about work, are you? We’re supposed to be celebrating.”

“If you had let me have this at the club like the other parties, we’d have more room to spread out.”

“This is fine. Besides, Lil wanted to cook. If we had it at the club, Dana would have prepared a feast.”

“I’m not sure how that’s a bad thing.”

A smile curved my lips. I didn’t know how much I needed this until I was in the middle of it. There was a large group of people here who obviously all knew each other. Within it was a sense of found family, one I couldn’t help but be drawn into.