Page 65 of Lane

“Yes, but you still have some left and Jordan, well, he has plenty. I’ve come to make a deal. I want twenty million or else.”

“Or else?” Jordan growled. One of the things he hated more than anything was to be threatened.

“I’ll let you put the pieces together. My threats aren’t empty.”

He didn’t need to say more for me to understand this was the man who called the attack on my family’s home. Who sent people to shoot into the house. Who killed my dad. It took everything in me not to lunge for him. If I did, I’d put the others at risk. If I’d been alone, I would have done what my instincts were telling me to.

“I’m not unguarded,” he continued. “I’m well-armed too. You’re not the only ones who can form alliances and build an army. I’ll give you this, Jordan, it’s not easy hacking into your accounts or that of those you employ. Let’s just say my tech people are better than yours.” He placed a card on the table. “You have three days. I’ll tell you where to move the money. If not, prepare to bury more of your loved ones.”

It was Lane who lunged forward before any of us could stop him. Ulrich had his gun in hand in the blink of an eye and pointed directly at Lane’s head when Lane reached the table.

“I’ll fucking kill you,” Lane seethed. “You want to draw blood, tell me when and where.”

“That would be too easy, godson. Besides, your death wouldn’t be nearly as detrimental as others would be.” Ulrich’s voice turned hard. “I want the money that’s fucking owed to me. Do it and no one else gets hurt. I’ll leave this fucking shithole, and you’ll never have to see me again.”

Ulrich stood, keeping his gun aimed at Lane. “Shoot me and I level the restaurant with you in it. I have people ready for my command. If I don’t make it out of here alive, they’ll kill you.” He walked backward toward the door where a black sedan pulled up to the curb. “Three days. Twenty million dollars. Miss the deadline and the funeral expenses will be astronomical.”

He stepped out the door and into the sedan. We didn’t move until he was gone.

27

ALTON

I couldn’t wrap my mind around what they were telling me. Raiden and Lane were involved in a situation where both of them could have been hurt. Luckily, they weren’t, but they were in front of the man who brought on the attack against Raiden’s family’s home. The one that killed his father.

The shock must have registered on my face because the next thing I knew, Lane crouched in front of where I sat on the couch, my hands in his. Raiden had somehow wedged himself behind me, his arms around my waist.

“We’re okay,” Lane said. “Nothing happened.”

“But it did. And it could again. Don’t you see that? Your lives are dangerous and I’m fucking helpless. There’s nothing I can do to stop anyone from hurting either of you.”

“You knew who we were when you entered a relationship with us. Do you… do you want to reconsider that?”

“No!” I rushed to say. “Absolutely not. I’m just trying to reconcile this and figure out how to deal with how dangerous your jobs are. I knew, don’t get me wrong. I’ve seen enough damage to bodies, including to Raiden’s and yours, but this… You’re mine. What if I can’t save you?” I almost tacked on like I couldn’t save Thane, but I managed to close my mouth in time tostop it from coming out. The death was still fresh in our minds, Raiden having to live with the pain of missing his dad daily.

“I’m sorry,” Raiden whispered. His face was tucked against the side of my neck, warm breath puffing on my skin. “I hate that we worry you, but this is what we do.”

“I know.” I let out a breath. “I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t get angry or upset when you tell me what happened during your day. The last thing I want is for you to keep shit like this from me. I can handle situations better if I know what I’m coming home to.”

“Home?” Lane asked.

“You know what I mean.”

I’d only been to my house since Raiden’s dad died to gather more belongings and bring them here. Oh, and water the plants. They were still alive, thankfully. My home was nothing more than a storage area now.

Raiden propped his chin on my shoulder. “You two should move in with me. Not just store your stuff in the closet and leave when you need more. Stay here permanently.”

“Are you asking out of necessity or because you actually want us to live with you?” I asked. “This is a big step. We’ve only just said we loved each other.”

“Not out of necessity. I want you here. It feels right. I’m not sure if I could go back to sleeping by myself. And no, that’s not the only reason I want you here.”

“I’m in,” Lane said. “But only if Al is. All or nothing, right?”

Raiden nodded. “All or nothing.”

“Can I keep my house?” I’d worked hard on it and paid it off well before the mortgage was finished.

“I’m not asking you to give everything up. Keep whatever you want.”

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