Page 24 of Lane (East Dremest Mafia #5)

LANE

Normally, I didn’t mind if there were a lot of people around me, but this was becoming too much.

I was fine when we first got here. There were plenty of people to meet and faces to remember.

I loved getting introduced to the people of the city I now called home, but I slowly found myself inching closer to the corner of the room, just to get some air.

Alton saw me before Raiden did. Stopping in front of me, his hand on my cheek, Alton asked, “Are you okay?”

I nodded. “This is a lot.”

“We don’t have to stay.”

“It’s okay. We’re here to be with Raiden’s family. I can deal.”

“He wouldn’t want you to. If you’re not comfortable, I can lie and say I’m not feeling well. No one will think twice.”

Leaning close, I brushed my lips over his. “Thank you for the offer. I’m good for?—”

The sound of glass shattering halted my words.

I turned to see the windows breaking before bullets hit objects around me.

Pushing off the wall, I grabbed Alton, throwing him to the floor as I blanketed him with my body.

More bullets flew, but this time they were closer.

Those around us fired back. I didn’t even think to bring a gun tonight.

I had knives strapped to my calves. What the fuck good were they? God, I needed to be a better mafia man.

People moved, some running toward where the shots came from. I only saw so much from behind the couch where I landed with Alton.

“Jordan, don’t!” I thought it was Dexen who yelled at JJ.

“Stay the fuck down, Dex.”

“Like hell.”

Okay, I had to move to make sure Alton was okay then look for Raiden. Leaning back, I peered down at Alton. His eyes were wide, and his bottom lip trembled ever so slightly.

My hand went to his neck. “Al, are you okay?”

He nodded.

“Were you hit?”

A shake of his head.

“Stay here.”

He clutched the front of my shirt, pulling me to him. “Don’t go.”

Fuck, I couldn’t leave him like this.

“Lane!” I heard Raiden yell.

“We’re okay!”

He rushed over, kneeling before us. “I need to secure the property.”

“Go. Don’t worry about us.”

He handed me a gun but didn’t move right away.

“We’re all right, Ray. Check on the others.”

“Stay here. I’ll be back.”

Then he was on his feet, his boots crunching on glass. “Everyone, stay down.”

“Go, Ray,” I heard his mom call.

A hand touched my leg seconds later. I jolted around, lifting my fist, ready to punch whoever touched me. I didn’t know if we were safe or not. If the people shooting were gone or in the room.

Lily put her hand up. “It’s just me.”

“You’re bleeding. Oh my god, where are you hit?”

“I’m not. Alton, I need you to help me. Thane’s been shot.”

Something changed in Alton. He sat up, accidentally knocking me off him in the process. “My bag is outside.”

“I’ll get it,” I told him.

Alton said ever since he started dating us, he’d been keeping a bag in his car. At his house, Jordan’s building, even his sister’s, he had supplies. This way, he had something with him just in case.

I crawled along the floor, checking my surroundings.

The bullets had stopped flying and people were walking, helping others into different parts of the house.

Sweeping my gaze as I went, I exited the front door, out to the SUV, and grabbed the bag before heading back inside.

I spotted Raiden and Reghan outside on the side of the house.

They were mesmerizing, the way they moved perfectly in sync.

As I rushed back inside, I almost ran into Dexen and JJ. JJ had his hands on Dexen’s neck, and his forehead pressed to his as he whispered words only meant for them.

When I returned to the family room, Alton was putting pressure on a wound in Thane’s abdomen. Blood had soaked Thane’s shirt. Fuck, we needed more than this bag.

“Thane,” Lily said, busy assisting Alton. Thane’s eyes were on hers as his body shook. “You’re going to be okay. The ambulance is on the way.”

“The boys…”

“Are fine,” I said, kneeling beside him. “I just saw them outside.”

He nodded once as he reached for my hand, patting around until I clasped his, not wanting to take his eyes off his wife. “You two… take care of him. Make sure… he knows… he’s loved.”

“Al,” I urged. Tears pricked my eyes. They had to save him.

I couldn’t take my gaze off the man on the floor. Thane wasn’t just shot in his abdomen. He was hit in his shoulder and the right outer side of his chest.

Thane held my hand tightly, but his next words were for his wife. “Lil…”

“Don’t you dare,” she said, her voice shaking. His other hand was on her arm. “You don’t get to leave me.”

“I can’t…” He coughed, and blood came from his mouth. “I love you. Ever since… the first time.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks. “I need you.”

“You’re strong.” His voice was getting weaker.

Alton was next to me, moving around, pulling stuff from his bag but I couldn’t watch, couldn’t focus on him. There was so much blood. This was different than when I shot someone. They had it coming. Thane didn’t. This was Raiden’s father.

“That’s because of you,” Lily stated firmly. “Only because you have my back.”

“Forever.”

His eyes slipped closed.

“No!” Alton yelled. “Lane, press here.”

I switched places with him, placing my hands on the blood-soaked fabric over Thane’s stomach. Alton started chest compressions while Lily did what she could. I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. Everything blurred around me.

“Dad!” Raiden yelled and dropped to the floor.

Oh god.

Seconds later, sirens split the air, but I wasn’t sure if they’d get him to a hospital in time. Alton was doing CPR. My hands were coated in blood.

“You don’t get to save me then leave!” Lily cried. “Damn you, Thane!”

The paramedics rushed in and took over, but Alton wouldn’t stop.

Time flew by after that. Alton left with them when they placed Thane on the stretcher and moved him to the ambulance with Lily behind them.

I was frozen in place, lost in a mix of memories of losing my mom and watching as Raiden’s dad bled out.

Someone shook me. “Lane, are you hurt?”

Blinking away the fresh tears, Raiden came into focus. “I’m fine. Go,” I begged. “You have to go with your dad.”

“It’s not safe for you here. We have to get you home.”

“Ray, your dad,” I whispered brokenly.

“Don’t, okay?” his voice cracked. “I need to fix this.”

I nodded, understanding what he wasn’t saying. He couldn’t help his dad, but he could stay here and talk to the cops who I heard walking around. They hadn’t spoken to me yet. They would though. If fingers were going to be pointed, they would most likely be at me and JJ, at Jordan’s guards.

Raiden helped me from the floor then his mouth was on mine hard and bruising, but it only lasted seconds before he tore it away.

“Tell me what you need,” I said.

“The cops…”

“Okay.” I found the nearest officer.

That began the longest night of my life.

I’d thought all I’d been through before was the worst. In some ways it was.

Losing my mother was like someone viciously ripping my heart from my chest. As I watched Raiden and his brother try to secure the home, call in reinforcements, do whatever they could to help, my heart broke in my chest, shattered into a million pieces.

They were so much alike, trying to do what they could before leaving for the hospital. Almost as if they didn’t go there, Thane would be okay.

Not long after, Reghan’s phone rang. The twins froze, staring at each other, but neither moved.

It was Barrett who took the phone from Reghan’s pocket and pressed it to his ear. Words weren’t needed, not when tears formed and broke free almost instantly from Barrett’s eyes.

“No,” Reghan whispered. “Bear, no.”

“I’m sorry.” The phone fell from his hand as he reached for Reghan.

I walked through the blood, through the glass-covered floor, and pressed my chest to Raiden’s back as I held him with everything I had. His body shook against me in quiet sobs. My tears ran freely down my face, soaking into his shirt.

“I’m so sorry,” I told him. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

He turned to fully embrace me, crushing me in his arms as he tucked his head against my neck. Hot tears hit my skin as he cried.

“Goddammit!” I heard someone roar in anguish. Dexen walked to Raiden and me and put his arms around us. “I’ll find them, Raiden.” He went to Reghan next, repeating the promise, not saying more given the police were still here.

“I don’t give a shit who the fuck you are or who you work for,” I heard a familiar voice growl.

This wouldn’t be good.

“I’ve got him,” JJ said. “All right, let’s not yell at the people trying to help.”

“Help? If?—”

“Don’t,” JJ warned.

“Tell me.”

“Thane.” It was all JJ needed to say before more glass crunched and Jordan Altair Sr. filled my line of sight.

He placed a hand gently on Raiden’s back. “Ray,” he said softly.

Raiden lifted his head from my neck but didn’t release me. “My dad, Jordan. They killed my fucking dad.”

“I know.” Jordan had to be careful what he said too, but there was a promise in his words as well, in the look on his face.

Whoever did this was going to be found, and they were going to pay.

Jordan lifted his arm and Raiden went to him.

He held on to Jordan for dear life while sobs took over again.

I didn’t know what to do or where to go. If there was anything in my power to help them. I just stood there crying softly with my arms wrapped around myself.

“Come on,” Jordan said. “Let’s gather your brother and get you to the hospital. Barry will handle this.”

Raiden nodded against him then turned and lunged for his brother.

The two men dropped their foreheads together, looked into each other’s eyes, and collapsed to their knees on the hardwood, not caring that they fell on glass, blood, or anything else.

They held each other and cried, mourning the loss of their father.

I heard Barrett talking with the cops about two others who were hit. They weren’t in as bad of shape. I hadn’t even thought to ask about others. I was so focused on Thane, then Raiden.

Jordan clamped his hand on my shoulder. “Look at me, Lane.” He swam in front of me.

I couldn’t hold back the emotion pummeling my system.

“You have to be strong for him. Raiden needs you. I know it hurts, but we have to be there for them.” He leaned close and whispered, “Then we’re going to find, torture, and make the motherfuckers who did this wish they were never born. ”

I nodded but no words would leave me. I moved on autopilot after that.

Jordan gathered us and led us to the fleet of waiting SUVs.

Raiden and Reghan clung to each other in one vehicle, with Jordan in the front and Albert.

Barrett and I got in the other, Sheldon behind the wheel and Vincent with him.

I didn’t know who else was here. It didn’t matter.

We had to get to the hospital so Lily could be with her sons. I didn’t blame them for not going earlier. Neither of them could face what was happening. This was their father, one of the strongest people in their lives. They probably thought he was invincible as they grew, looking up to him.

Their family was nothing like mine. I wouldn’t wish what I went through on anyone. But this was proof that nothing in life was fair. Nothing was balanced. The fucking scum of the earth walked around thinking they were invincible, while good people were gunned down as they celebrated their birthday.

Anger welled inside me, pouring through my veins. I wanted to lash out, to hit, to kill, to fucking scream, but I bottled it up and pushed it down. The time would come when I could unleash it. I had no doubt Jordan would find who was responsible. When he did, we would make them pay.