Page 46 of Lane

“Dinner’s ready,” Felix said. “Have a seat at the table, and I’ll bring it out.”

“I’ll help,” I offered and stood.

Felix pulled a roast from the oven and set it on the counter. “It’s a good thing I made more than we needed.”

“You don’t have to worry about me.”

He turned, his eyes softening. Where my sister had blond hair and blue eyes like me, Felix had red hair and freckles. It gave him a boyish charm, which contrasted with his size. “I want you to be as happy as I am with El.”

“I appreciate you looking out for me, but I can take care of myself.”

“If you couldn’t, you wouldn’t have lasted as long as you have with Jordan.”

“Do you miss it?”

He sighed. “Yes and no. Yes, because of the rush that came from taking out the assholes. No, because I have zero desire to be behind bars. Most importantly, El comes first. I’d never do anything to jeopardize her. You have it differently. All three of you work for him. None of you went into your relationship without knowing what to expect. Just keep the lines of communication open.”

I nodded. I wasn't the best at that. It was still unnerving how well Lane and Raiden could read me at times.

The problem I had didn’t solely rest on them. They lived in the same building. While my moving in was too soon, maybe we could spend our time together where they were. It was easy for me to do.

I hoped it was enough to quell the feeling I had. I wanted to be who they needed, as they’d said. I wanted to be the one they leaned on. Apparently, I just had to prove it to myself. They already knew.

19

LANE

“You ready?” Sheldon asked. He stood in front of me, rubbing my shoulders as if he were my coach and was getting me ready for a fight. “You’re in the big league now. The boss is counting on you to bring home the dough. If you fail…” He drew his finger over his neck.

“What the fuck?” I yelled and shoved him away. “You’re supposed to build my confidence, not make it seem like Jordan’s going to take me out when we return.”

Sheldon shrugged.

“God, you’re an asshole.”

“Ignore him,” Kayli said. “It’s the best thing you can do.” She winked at Sheldon.

Jordan ordered three guards to be on me for the meeting today. Raiden was with me regardless. Sheldon, just in case he was needed to calm the buyer down. He also had some potent stuff up his sleeves. Literally, I saw the vials and syringes. And Kayli because she wanted to go for the ride.

She dressed very girl next door today. A pair of dark jeans hugged her hips but not too tightly. She wore a white T-shirt under a light pink puffer jacket. Matching pink boots completedher outfit. Her blond hair was pulled back, and makeup was light. She was lethal wrapped in faux innocence.

Raiden gripped me by the waist, drawing my attention to him. “Eyes on me. Go over the game plan with me again.”

Fuck, I was falling for him and Alton. Every day, I gave another piece of my heart away. Here Raiden was trying to get me in the right frame of mind and making sure I knew what to do. I’d seen Jordan work deals but this time I was going alone. Another test. Another way for Jordan to make sure I knew what the fuck I was doing.

“We’re meeting with Ethan at his office in West Dremest,” I began. “He owns a company that makes packaging products. Ethan already buys guns from Jordan but wants to purchase more.” I had a list on my phone. If anyone else saw it, it wouldn’t make sense, but I was aware of what every word meant and what item it referred to.

“And?”

“Jordan gave me a number I can’t go below. If Ethan doesn’t want to do the deal at a price we’ll accept, we walk. If he tries to threaten us because Jordan isn’t there, I’m allowed to draw a bit of blood in revenge because no one takes advantage of Jordan.”

“Right. Are you ready?”

“Yes, but I have to take a piss quick.” I rushed from the room to relieve my bladder. I shouldn’t have had that third cup of coffee.

Last night, after dinner with Alton’s family, we came back to Raiden’s apartment and stayed up half the night fucking. I didn’t give a shit about sleep. When I woke this morning after only four hours of rest, I wanted to close my eyes and go back to sleep. Caffeine was the answer, and now my bladder had reached its limit. Hopefully, I didn’t have to go when we were at the buyer’s building.

“Were you successful in closing the deal?” Jordan would inquire.

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