Page 80 of Lane

We walked down the trail, Ulrich nodding and saying hello to a jogger. The trail wound around the trees until we got to a part that was shadowed by them, and no one was coming. He probably had men diverting people in the opposite direction. Killing innocent people wouldn’t help him. He wanted to get out of here with money in his account.

The tall pines blocked out some of the sun, causing the temperature to dip the deeper we went. There were trees with no leaves but rather small buds on them, trying to break through, hoping spring was on the way. I had to focus on something good, so I didn’t worry about the people I loved being killed. Of course, I worried about myself as well, but I’d give my life if it meant they were safe.

“That’s far enough,” Ulrich said, pulling on my arm to bring me to a halt. “We’ll wait here, and if they try to kill me, I’ll put a bullet in Lane’s head first. Not that you’ll be able to do anything about it.” He was right. I couldn’t overpower him, but if I had to, I could sure as hell distract him.

A man stepped out from the trees onto the trail. He leaned close to whisper to Ulrich, who nodded. The man returned to the shadows as if he had never been here. How many guards he had hidden was anyone’s guess.

Ulrich’s phone chimed, causing him to glance down. “What a pity. There was a hold up in traffic. Your sister might have to deliver in the car. That puts her in a vulnerable spot. What if something goes wrong? What if a bullet flies through their windshield and hits her husband in the center of his forehead while he’s driving? So much could happen out on the road.”

This motherfucker was trying to press every button I had to get a rise out of me. It was damn close. I almost spoke and unleashed a fury of words on him, but I stayed quiet. If he knew just how badly he affected me, it would make this worse. I had to keep my cool for not only me, but all the other lives on the line. I’d never forgive myself if Felix, Eleanor, or their baby were hurt.

If I was right about how Jordan thought and planned, he’d know what was going on with my family, and he’d have someone on them. Felix could have as well. Either way, they had to be okay. So did Lane, Raiden, and the others.

34

LANE

I’d never been this afraid. Not when my mom was sick. Not when I watched her slowly die. Not when I had to go up against Jordan in the house in North Carolina. Sure, I was scared, worried, but this, what I felt right now, was pure fear. If anything happened to Alton, I didn’t know what I’d do.

“Hey,” Raiden said, gripping the back of my neck where we sat in the SUV. “We’re going to get him back.” I hoped he was right.

The plans we’d made, how we’d wanted everything to go, it was all blown to hell because Ulrich kept changing shit. We shouldn’t have been surprised, but we also were heading into the unknown.

Jordan sent people out ahead of us. We figured Ulrich would have his people spread out in the park. It was up to those who were already there to strategically take them out, and not too early, or that would alert Ulrich and he could run. Every move we made had to be calculated at the last minute. At least Jordan’s people were skilled for this type of thing because I sure as fuck wasn’t. If it were only me heading in, I could have handled it better. I wouldn’t have to worry about anyone else.

This was what my life was going to be like moving forward. Not rescuing a loved one, at least I sure as fuck hoped not. But having to help Jordan run his organization. It was what I wanted, after all. The job as his second was within my grasp. Maybe I’d be better at it when it wasn’t Alton’s life on the line.

Oleander turned in the front passenger seat to look at me, where I sat in the back. “I won’t tell you to stop worrying. I’d be a hypocrite if I did, considering I’m barely holding it together with Sheldon in the OR, but we need to keep our heads clear. You know what to do and how to do it. I’ve heard and seen you in action. This isn’t new, Lane. The only difference is that it’s Alton. He trusts you. You have to go in there and do what needs to be done to get him back. You’ve got this.”

I nodded. His talk gave me a boost, as little as it was. He had more confidence in me than I did in myself.

Vincent’s phone rang through the SUV’s speakers, Reghan’s name on the screen. “Yeah?”

“Eleanor got to the hospital. Felix pulled her out of the car, leaving it on the street, and literally carried her out of the traffic until he could get a cab to take them the rest of the way.”

“That was fucking risky,” Raiden said.

“They knew they were sitting ducks regardless, and she was screaming in pain. He had to do something. One of ours was in the shadows and tailed them to the cab, then got his own to follow them to the hospital. He let us know they were in the ER and taken back. No one can get to them now.”

I breathed out a sigh of relief. If Eleanor or the baby were hurt, Alton would never forgive himself. Hell, I wouldn’t forgive myself either. I was the one with the fucked-up fake family.

“Thanks,” Vincent said and hung up.

Minutes later, we parked along the curb, a block from the park. Albert would stay with the two vehicles. Unfortunately, with guards spread out at the hospital for Sheldon and otherswith Eleanor, the guards in the building protecting Jordan’s family, and the others already fanned out around the park, there weren’t many to spare. It wasn’t like we could call in backup from JJ, Dexen, and the rest. Jordan wanted them safe, protecting their own. Sure, there were more guards in Jordan’s building, but none he trusted with the bigger jobs yet. He was hiring more. They had to work their way up. Barry was with them, overseeing what they did.

We exited the vehicles, none of us speaking. It was bad enough we were drawing a crowd. Jordan on his own would. Add in all the muscle, and yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised if the cops showed up at some point, thanks to a call from a concerned citizen. Hopefully, we could get in and get out before they arrived. Jordan was allowed to go anywhere he wanted. However, killing a man and his entourage in broad daylight would be more than frowned upon.

The trail around the park took us two abreast until we entered a more shaded area, thanks to the pines. We had guards on the other side of them and waiting SUVs to stuff Ulrich into, so we could end his life in the style he deserved—slowly and painfully.

He came into view with Alton by his side, Ulrich slightly behind him, a gun pressed to Alton’s flank. Our lover didn’t flinch, didn’t appear weak or worried in the face of his situation. I was so fucking proud of him.

“You have us here where we can finish our deal,” Jordan stated when he came to a stop. “Let Alton go, or you won’t see a dime.”

“Hello to you too. Isn’t the weather beautiful?”

“Fuck you,” Jordan growled. “I don’t give a shit about the goddamn weather. Release Alton and you’ll have your money.”

What Ulrich didn’t know was Lawson was on standby to pull the money out of the account about sixty seconds after it went in.It would be enough time to release Alton and save Jordan from losing millions. I didn’t know how much money the man had, but I was certain that would only be a dent in his finances.

---