Page 72 of Lane

“Did you think I wouldn’t do it?” Lane seethed. “Fuck you for having a hand in destroying my real family. I will take out every one of you for what you did. No, you didn’t pull the goddamn trigger, but you knew he was here, and you were working with him. That makes you guilty.”

Before Jack could say anything else, Lane put a bullet in the center of his forehead.

“So much for not killing him,” Barrett muttered. “It’s a good thing I’m skilled at thinking up stories. Let’s see how this one will play out.”

While he hashed it out with my brother, I took Lane in my arms and held him close. His body shook against me.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I wanted to get answers. You need closure. We have to find Ulrich so you can get it.”

“I only need you and Alton. Yes, I want to see Ulrich dead for what he did and those who helped him, but you two are my future.”

He nodded against me. “Take me home, Ray. Let’s pick Al up along the way. Send someone else to deal with Ethan.”

“Anything you want.”

30

ALTON

As I packed belongings I’d take with me to Raiden’s home, I realized I didn’t need as much as I’d thought. So many of my material possessions were bought to fill a void in my life. One that was filled with Raiden and Lane. As I continued to pack, I adjusted what I thought I needed with what I actually did. They were it. Nothing else. My belongings were to make my life more comfortable. Raiden and Lane were a necessity.

I also weighed what would be helpful here if I used the space to help others in need. It gave me a new perspective about how much I had and what I could easily part with. I’d lived a good life before them. Now that I had them, my life took on new meaning.

Sheldon stood near the front windows, his gaze on the street. He was an imposing figure no one would be able to see. Sheldon wasn’t built like Raiden, but I didn’t doubt his abilities for one second.

When someone knocked on the door, he didn’t move.

“I’m guessing they’re not a threat,” I said. “Or you don’t care if I die when I open the door.” He’d been quiet most of the time, so this was an easy way to get him to speak.

“Of course, I care, Doc. If you die, Ray and Lane will come after me and so will Jordan. You know how much Jordan hates replacing people.”

“Thanks, that’s comforting,” I deadpanned.

On the other side of the door, I found Raiden and Lane. A smile immediately lit me up. That was until I saw something on them that didn’t belong. “Is that blood?”

Lane looked at his sleeve. “Huh. I thought I came away clean.”

“I thought you weren’t going to kill him,” I countered.

He stepped inside and kissed my cheek. It was just another day for him. For me, it had my heart pounding in my chest. They could have been hurt.

“I guess it’s a day for surprises.” He grinned.

Raiden shrugged and kissed me as well. I shut the door behind them.

Not to be ignored, Sheldon sighed loudly.

“Is someone feeling left out?” Lane soothed and walked up to Sheldon, planting a loud kiss on his cheek.

Sheldon swiped the kiss away. “Knock it off. You’re not my type. Apparently, I only go for the ones I can’t have.”

“I still think you need to talk to him.”

“Whatever,” he muttered. “I’ll be outside. I need fresh air.”

Once he was out of earshot, I said, “You should leave him alone. He might act like he can deal with a lot, but I’m not sure he can.”

“With you moving in, you’ll get to see him pacing the halls all hours of the night,” Raiden told me. “I’ve never met someone as restless as him. Nothing any of us say or do makes a difference.”

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