Page 26 of Lane (East Dremest Mafia #5)

ALTON

Today was my Saturday to work at Jordan’s building and see any of his employees who needed me.

Some I saw more regularly on a personal level like Lane and Raiden, even Reghan and Barrett.

I didn’t need to follow up with them on anything unless they weren’t feeling well or if Reghan needed a refill on his migraine medications.

I went through the motions with my patients, did regular checkups. There was a sinus infection to be treated and another with an ear infection. The men worked in close quarters. It was bound to happen.

The whole time, my mind kept drifting to Raiden and how he was doing. I’d left him and Lane in bed this morning, with Raiden wrapped around Lane. He had done that to one of us every night since his father’s death. The only times he let go were when he had a nightmare or when he got up.

Lane and I were worried about him, me probably more. I was torn between doctor and lover. There was medication to help him. I could also refer him to Arden. It didn’t feel right though. If I did that, would he push me away?

I was putting my final notes in my tablet after the last patient left for the day. When I turned toward the door, Raiden leaned against the frame.

Placing the tablet on the exam table, I walked toward him. “Are you okay?”

He jutted his chin toward the table.

“You want me to examine you? Are you sick?”

He shook his head and stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

Raiden moved my tablet to the counter and sat on the table, his legs hanging off the end.

He reached for me, his arm outstretched.

I readily went, pushing the step on the bottom of the table closed as I was brought between his legs.

Gentle hands cupped my face while his dark eyes held mine.

I squeezed my eyes shut, tears burning them. I would do anything for him. Anything to ease his pain. While I’d love for him to talk, I wasn’t going to urge him to do so.

Raiden lifted my hand and placed it over his heart.

My eyes opened, tears slipping free. He patted my hand and then reached for the stethoscope that was around my neck.

I didn’t remove my hand as he carefully placed the ear tips in my ears and slid the diaphragm under my hand.

I took it as he lifted his shirt so I could press it to his chest. There was a steady beat in my ears. It was the most beautiful sound.

If the last week had taught me anything, it was I had to hold on to those I cared about with both hands. I was in love with Raiden and Lane. There wasn’t any doubt. The urge to tell Raiden was powerful but I refrained. When I did it, I wanted to tell Lane too.

I pulled away, removing the stethoscope as he let his shirt fall back into place. “You have a beautiful heart, Raiden.”

His hands moved my hips, bringing me closer. He dropped his forehead to mine. “I’m okay,” he whispered.

I let out a soft cry. “God, Ray, you scared me. I couldn’t heal you.”

“You did. You and Lane. Every day.” He kissed my cheek. “Thank you.” Then the other. “You waited for me to be ready.”

Leaning forward, I wrapped my arms around him and cried against him.

Before tragedy struck, I wondered where I fit, and if there was room for me with Lane and Raiden.

This past week had taught me I always belonged, even though I didn’t see it.

I’d spent my free time with them and took a few days off from work.

Luckily, the other doctors in the practice covered for me.

I would have taken the whole week off if I could have. I made sure to return to Raiden and Lane every evening, where I stayed until the next morning.

Raiden would drift off first between Lane and me.

Lane would reach for my hand, or I would for his.

We’d hold on to each other while Raiden found a few moments of peace.

Last night was the first time he didn’t wake screaming or crying.

My heart was ripped out every time it happened.

I couldn’t imagine what he was going through.

My parents were still alive and living in another state. We didn’t see eye to eye on many things, so I didn’t have contact with them. Neither did my sister.

“You’re perfect,” Raiden whispered. “Just who I needed and will need for a long time. You and Lane were patient and caring. I’ll forever be grateful to have had you both through this.”

“Always, Ray.”

He leaned back to look into my eyes again. “Jordan invited us for dinner.”

“Did you find anything out?”

Raiden shook his head.

They had leads, of course, a list of people who would want to harm them. With no concrete evidence, it was nearly impossible to figure out who the enemy was when multiple people at the party had a list of them.

“Just dinner then?” I asked.

“Yeah.”

“Count me in. Do I have time to shower?”

He nodded and took my hand, his feet hitting the floor. Raiden handed me my tablet, opened the door, and shut off the lights. Hand in hand, we walked to the elevator and took it upstairs, where Lane waited on the couch.

“I see you’ve brought our man home.” Lane grinned. “I was going to get you, but Ray insisted he do it.”

“I’m going to shower quick then we can go.”

“I’d ask if you want company, but we’ll be late if we join you.”

I almost asked for a rain check. We hadn’t been together intimately since the shooting. Like finding his voice again, we’d let Raiden initiate when he wanted to touch us like that. Holding them was enough for me.

The shower was rushed but thorough. I wasn’t in a hurry to get to Jordan’s, rather to be in front of the men I loved again. The sudden urge to tell them came over me. Raiden couldn’t mistake it for me feeling sorry for him.

I dried off and dressed in a pair of jeans and a gray sweater. They were in the kitchen waiting for me, both leaning against the counter.

One foot went in front of the other until they were within arm’s reach. I took their hands and said, “I love you both. I’m not sure it’s the right time to say it, but I had to tell you how much you mean to me.”

“Al,” Lane whispered. He squeezed my hand and brushed his lips over mine. “I love you too.” Then he did the same to Raiden, repeating his words. “I’ve never felt like this before or said the words to anyone who wasn’t my mom. This is big.” He gave a watery laugh.

Raiden put an arm around each of us and pulled us in for a hug.

“I love you so fucking much. I hope neither of you have plans to ever leave me because I’m not letting you go.

Our lives are uncertain. We have no idea what each day will bring.

I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe, Lane, and to bring us home to you, Alton, every day. ”

“And I’ll watch your back too, Ray,” Lane added.

“I’ll be here to bandage and stitch you up when you’re hurt.” It wasn’t an if they did, but when. I’d already stitched them both at different times. I doubted they would be the last.

“We should go before Jordan sends my brother down to get us. Mom’s helping Vail cook.”

I smiled. Lily found a way to fit in here.

I wasn’t sure if she would. Dexen also offered for her to stay with him and his partners.

He’d upped the security around them, always having guards on their house and following them to work.

JJ and Greer weren’t happy about it, but they understood why.

They also carried guns wherever they went.

I would have if I could, but I wasn’t bringing a gun into my practice.

Jordan did assign one of his men to me, one I didn’t know well.

He didn’t enter the exam rooms, but he was there when I came out and he drove me wherever I needed to go.

Entering Jordan’s home, Lily’s laughter was one of the first sounds I heard.

It caused my lips to lift. She wouldn’t heal for a long time, but these moments where she could laugh and forget for a few minutes how the love of her life was gone would help carry her through.

That and the love and support of her family and friends.

Vincent stood by the elevator, keeping guard. Hartley was on the couch with Jordan beside him. Reghan leaned against the wall in the kitchen, Barrett in his arms.

Reghan caught his brother’s arrival and smiled. “Mom’s outdone herself. Just wait until you see.”

Jordan’s home was open from the kitchen to dining area to living room. Everyone could talk without being cramped into one space.

Raiden peered over his mom’s shoulder. “Mac and cheese?”

She gasped and turned to hug him. “Your voice is back. I knew you’d talk when you were ready. My boy, I love you.”

They embraced as I averted my eyes. This wasn’t meant for anyone but family. She would always have a special connection with Raiden, just as his brother would.

“I made your childhood favorites,” she said, returning to the stove with a quick swipe of her eyes. “Chicken nuggets?—”

“Homemade,” Vail cut in. “I like to make them from scratch.”

“Yes, dear, I’m not discounting your talent,” Lily said.

“We have mashed potatoes with gravy and homemade biscuits.” She cut a glance at Vail, whose cheeks reddened.

It was obvious she was teasing him. I couldn’t see her getting angry at anyone who didn’t deserve it.

“For dessert, we have peach pie. Vail took me to his favorite store to find good peaches. If they had been in season, it wouldn’t be an issue. ”

“Wait until you try the pie.” Raiden grinned. “It’s amazing.”

“It also doesn’t last long. You have to eat it before it goes bad, which was never a problem in our house.

” She stirred something on the stove. Everything she said and did would remind her of the husband she lost. There was no way to fix what had happened, but there were enough of us around her that she wouldn’t feel alone.

Lane entered the kitchen, hip checked Raiden out of the way, and started asking Lily questions about the gravy. He was good at distracting her. I’d seen it multiple times this week.

Reghan and Barrett began taking dishes into the dining area and placing them on the table.

I was about to help when Raiden pulled me into his arms and kissed the hell out of me.

It was short and hot. By the way his eyes gleamed, I understood it for exactly what it was—a prelude of what was to come when we returned to his apartment.

Hopefully, I didn’t eat too much and was able to move when we got there, or Raiden and Lane would have to do all of the work.