Page 55 of Lane

Lily put her hand up. “It’s just me.”

“You’re bleeding. Oh my god, where are you hit?”

“I’m not. Alton, I need you to help me. Thane’s been shot.”

Something changed in Alton. He sat up, accidentally knocking me off him in the process. “My bag is outside.”

“I’ll get it,” I told him.

Alton said ever since he started dating us, he’d been keeping a bag in his car. At his house, Jordan’s building, even his sister’s, he had supplies. This way, he had something with him just in case.

I crawled along the floor, checking my surroundings. The bullets had stopped flying and people were walking, helping others into different parts of the house. Sweeping my gaze as I went, I exited the front door, out to the SUV, and grabbed the bag before heading back inside. I spotted Raiden and Reghan outside on the side of the house. They were mesmerizing, the way they moved perfectly in sync.

As I rushed back inside, I almost ran into Dexen and JJ. JJ had his hands on Dexen’s neck, and his forehead pressed to his as he whispered words only meant for them.

When I returned to the family room, Alton was putting pressure on a wound in Thane’s abdomen. Blood had soaked Thane’s shirt. Fuck, we needed more than this bag.

“Thane,” Lily said, busy assisting Alton. Thane’s eyes were on hers as his body shook. “You’re going to be okay. The ambulance is on the way.”

“The boys…”

“Are fine,” I said, kneeling beside him. “I just saw them outside.”

He nodded once as he reached for my hand, patting around until I clasped his, not wanting to take his eyes off his wife. “You two… take care of him. Make sure… he knows… he’s loved.”

“Al,” I urged. Tears pricked my eyes. They had to save him.

I couldn’t take my gaze off the man on the floor. Thane wasn’t just shot in his abdomen. He was hit in his shoulder and the right outer side of his chest.

Thane held my hand tightly, but his next words were for his wife. “Lil…”

“Don’t you dare,” she said, her voice shaking. His other hand was on her arm. “You don’t get to leave me.”

“I can’t…” He coughed, and blood came from his mouth. “I love you. Ever since… the first time.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks. “I need you.”

“You’re strong.” His voice was getting weaker.

Alton was next to me, moving around, pulling stuff from his bag but I couldn’t watch, couldn’t focus on him. There was so much blood. This was different than when I shot someone. They had it coming. Thane didn’t. This was Raiden’s father.

“That’s because of you,” Lily stated firmly. “Only because you have my back.”

“Forever.”

His eyes slipped closed.

“No!” Alton yelled. “Lane, press here.”

I switched places with him, placing my hands on the blood-soaked fabric over Thane’s stomach. Alton started chest compressions while Lily did what she could. I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. Everything blurred around me.

“Dad!” Raiden yelled and dropped to the floor.

Oh god.

Seconds later, sirens split the air, but I wasn’t sure if they’d get him to a hospital in time. Alton was doing CPR. My hands were coated in blood.

“You don’t get to save me then leave!” Lily cried. “Damn you, Thane!”

---