Page 53 of Lane

Raiden placed his arm around my waist. “Let’s make the rounds; then we can snack. Mom is a hell of a cook.”

Lane came up along my other side and threaded his fingers with mine. First, we went to JJ and his men. Raiden made the introductions, but it was JJ who quickly took over the conversation.

“The old man let all of you out for the night, huh?” He whistled. “Two of his best guards and his up-and-coming second-in-command. Before you ask how I know that, I know everything. I have eyes and ears all over both sides of the city. Plus, Thane told Dex who his son was dating, and Dex keeps nothing from Greer and me. Hi, JJ Altair.” Both Lane and I shook his hand. “These are my partners, Dexen and Greer.” His eyes met Raiden’s. “It’s nice to see you when you’re not holding up a wall.”

“Yeah, well, that’s not my job any longer.”

JJ’s eyebrows went up. “Did the old man fire you?”

“I’m the personal protection for Lane. Only the best for your dad’s second.”

“Well, well, I’m surprised he let that fly. Then again, Vail and Hartley have had a positive influence on him. He actually gave me Christmas gifts last year. Not a check inside a card. Wrapped gifts. I stared at them at first, not sure what to do.”

Raiden chuckled. “He gave Reghan and me new apartments for our birthday and put the keys in little boxes with bows on them.”

“Wow, the evolution of the mafia boss. Good on him though. He’s doing better all around.”

Before JJ could say more, a man slightly taller than me with steel-gray eyes pushed between Greer and JJ. Dominic wore a pair of slender fitting jeans and a silver top that looked as if it had glitter woven into it.

His gaze raked over us. “Honestly, don’t any of you know how to dress for a party? I’m the only one here who looks like I give a fuck.”

“Vixen,” Peyton growled from behind Greer. The Lynx brothers reminded me of the twins. Both massive and ready to hurt anyone who messed with them or the ones they loved. Greer had an easygoing smile, while Peyton was more serious. Similar to the serious Reghan and the smiling Raiden.

“Shush, Pey, I’m meeting new people.” He focused on me first. “I don’t know you. Have you been to the club?”

“I haven’t.”

He hummed. “You’re standing with Raiden, who I know is one of Jordan’s guards. Are you Jordan’s doctor? I heard Raiden was dating one and another mafia guy. You don’t scream mafia to me.” He leaned close and whispered, “Do you dig out the bullets when they get shot?”

I laughed. “I don’t disclose patient details.”

“Damn. It was worth a try. And you must be the mafia guy,” he said to Lane.

“Are you always this forward?” Lane asked.

“Yes. I shake my ass on stage for a living. You don’t do that and manage a bunch of dancers by being shy.”

“Lane Everhart, and you are?”

“Oh, sorry. Dominic Summit. I’m part of the hulking angry guy behind me and the man in the corner with the phone pressed to his ear. Excuse me.” He turned and walked to Perry, plucking the phone from his hand, speaking into it, then putting it in his pocket. When I glanced back to our group, Peyton was already on his way to them.

I was glad I paid attention to the news. Having most of the men here appear on local sites for their charity work, it was easy to know who was who. They might not know me, but I read enough about them.

“You’ll have to excuse Dom,” Dexen said. “He knows very well how he comes across and doesn’t care. He’s damn good at his job, so he can pretty much do whatever he wants at the club. It bleeds into other areas of his life too.”

Thane stopped by Dexen’s side. “You’re not talking about work, are you? We’re supposed to be celebrating.”

“If you had let me have this at the club like the other parties, we’d have more room to spread out.”

“This is fine. Besides, Lil wanted to cook. If we had it at the club, Dana would have prepared a feast.”

“I’m not sure how that’s a bad thing.”

A smile curved my lips. I didn’t know how much I needed this until I was in the middle of it. There was a large group of people here who obviously all knew each other. Within it was a sense of found family, one I couldn’t help but be drawn into.

22

LANE

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