Page 44 of Lane

“Congrats on the move.”

“Thanks. If you fuck up, you won’t only have Jordan to worry about.”

His lips quirked. “Is this the mafia version of if you hurt my child, I’ll kill you?”

“Something like that.”

“You know me well enough that I won’t do anything to jeopardize the boss or his family. I’ve already taken a bullet for Lane. I’d take one for any of them and for you too. I hope you know that.”

The tension bled out of me. “I never thanked you for what you did for Lane. I’m sorry. You deserved better from me.”

He waved me off. “Don’t worry about it. You were all fucked up over him and Alton. Besides, I didn’t keep him from getting taken so it wasn’t like I did a stellar job.”

“You were caught off guard. We all live with regrets.” I could make a list of the shit I wished I’d done differently. “The best we can do is learn from each experience and be better for it.”

He nodded. “So, you going to go tell your brother or Lane first?”

“Lane will be happy. Reghan will worry. When I tell him we’ll probably see each other more now, he’ll be fine. Lane will spend time doing shit with Jordan, which means I’ll be there witheither you or my brother. Whichever, it will work out. I’m not worried.”

Reghan would be happy for me. After getting together with Barrett, everything changed for him for the better. He was more settled than before. Happier when he wasn’t on the job. He wouldn’t be upset I was changing roles. We’d still live next door to each other and spend time together off-hours.

“I’m happy for you too,” Vincent said.

“Thanks, man. I’m pretty fucking happy myself.” I grinned.

18

ALTON

My phone rang in my pocket, vibrating against my leg as I finished at the office for the day. I gripped my phone and glanced at the screen, seeing it was Raiden calling. Even though I was in a relationship with him and Lane, my heart still skipped a beat seeing his name. For too long, I thought we’d never get here. Having Lane with us made it infinitely better.

“Everything okay?” I asked instead of answering like a normal person. Given their jobs, my first thought was them getting hurt.

“Yeah, it’s great. What are you doing tonight? There’s something I want to tell you. It’s good news, don't worry.” I loved hearing the smile in his voice. Before the three of us got together, he was too serious around me. I was glad he was loosening up.

“I’m having dinner with my sister and her husband. You and Lane should come. Meet me there.”

“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“It's fine. My sister has been on me for years to find someone. She’s going to love meeting you both.” I’d already told Eleanor I was in a relationship with two men. She laughed and asked if I was certain I could handle them.

“If you’re sure.”

“I am.” I told Raiden what time before we hung up and texted him the address. I also sent a quick message to my sister to let her know I was bringing company. I’d spoken about Raiden previously to her but not Lane, not until I told her we were together.

At home, I had time to shower and change into casual clothes before needing to leave. Lane and Raiden waited in Lane’s SUV when I parked a few spots ahead of them on the street. There was no garage or even driveway attached to my sister’s home. We met on the sidewalk.

“What’s the news?” I asked.

It was freezing out, but I wasn’t sure what this was about or if my sister and her husband should hear it.

Lane put his arm around Raiden’s waist. “I’d like to introduce you to my personal guard. Jordan made the change since I’m moving up in his ranks. There’s no one better to protect me than Raiden.”

Raiden grinned. “Vinny was promoted to my old spot.”

“Wow,” I said as insecurities spun around in my mind. “That’s great news.”

The smile I pasted on must have worked because neither caught on to how I felt inside. I was happy for them. That part wasn’t a lie. But it was further knowledge of them being together daily while I wasn’t part of it.

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