Page 27 of Lane

Raiden grinned. “True. Now, what do we do?”

“Well, I’m going to talk to Jordan while you shower. We should go out tonight. Nothing fancy. Maybe I’ll make it an adventure. Dress comfortably and meet me in the garage at six.” If Raiden was supposed to work tonight, he’d already be in Jordan’s home, which meant he was free. I had no clue where I was going to take them. Lucky for me, I was good at thinking fast.

Slowly, Raiden lowered me to the floor but didn’t release me until he brushed his lips over mine again. “I’ll be ready.”

“You better be.” I smiled and turned. My legs might have been a little weak as I walked away. My clothes might havesweat on them from Raiden’s skin, but I was determined. Jordan tested me to see what I’d do. I wanted to solidify my position in his company. It was time for me to be an active part.

I pressed the button on the elevator and rode it up to the top floor. My mom… What would she have thought of me doing this? If she were alive, I wouldn’t have. Without her here, I had to be my own man and make my own way. Nothing about working for Jordan felt wrong. This organization wasn’t my pretend father’s. People actually liked working here. Jordan had a good side. It was the one the world saw openly when he did charity events, raised money, and donated to the city. That made all the difference.

Reghan eyed me when I stepped off the elevator.

“What? Your brother’s sweaty. I can’t help it.” I ran my hands over my shirt.

Poor Reghan didn’t expect me to say that and started coughing.

“Is Jordan in his office?”

“Yes.”

“Perfect.”

Leaving a flustered Reghan behind me, I strode down the hall and knocked on the open door.

Jordan lifted his head from where he was focused on his computer. “What the hell happened to you?”

“One of your sweaty guards got too close.”

He sighed. “I can guess which one. I already talked to him if that’s why you’re here.”

“Can I sit?”

He gestured to the chairs on the opposite side of his desk.

“So… Raiden will protect you if I’m out with you, and I’ll protect myself. Great. We’re solid there. Same if he’s guarding Vail and/or Hartley. There’s really no need to worry about that portion of things. However, if for some reason he and I don’twork out, I want to know he has a job with you. That you won’t fire him. And before you say you won’t, remember I’m related to Hartley and know how persuasive he is. If Raiden and I don’t stay together for whatever reason, I’ll leave and find somewhere else to live if we can’t be near each other. The last thing I want is to jeopardize what he’s built here.”

He cocked his eyebrow. “Are you done?”

“I mean, not fully. I have more to say.”

“Raiden will always have a place here unless he harms someone I love. You do too. You’re both adults and I expect you to handle yourselves as such. I’m not worried about Alton.”

“You assume we want anything to do with him.”

Jordan growled, “Don’t fuck around with the time I’m giving you.”

“Fine. I want a real seat here. I want to be part of what you’ve built. My family was horrible, except for my mother, and no, I never wanted any part of what they did. It’s different here. People care about each other. You’re lacking a second-in-command, someone to handle what you don’t want to do or have the time to.”

His eyes narrowed. “I had one and have zero desire to fill the role again.”

It was important I kept my tone even. Jordan was reactive. “I’m well aware of Malik. I’m not him, nor will I ever be. I expect I’ll have to prove that to you. It will take time, but just consider me for it. I’m damn good at negotiating. Before you ask, I can do it without falling into someone’s lap. I can shoot, hit, kill, whatever. My moral compass is fractured. I won’t kill for sport, but I’ll protect the people I care about and work for. I could be a good backup for you, Jordan. A person you can trust.”

“You’ll have to excuse me if I don’t jump up and down at the idea of my rival’s son becoming my second.”

“And you’ll have to excuse me while I take that for the insult it is. While I understand why you said it, that fucking stung.” I barely resisted calling him a prick.

“Goddammit. You’re going to make me regret agreeing to this, aren’t you?”

Leaning back, I propped my ankle on my knee and put on the relaxed look I felt. “You need help, Jordan. Neither of your men nor your son or his partners want anything to do with your illegal shit. What happens when you retire? You will eventually. Hartley and Vail will want to spend more time with you. You’re going to need to have the business run by someone who knows what they’re doing. You can teach me so I do it by your rules.”

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