“But that’s dangerous.” Cam continued.
“Why is it dangerous?” I asked. “And how the hell have I not known we have so many MC’s around us?”
“We really only have the two locally.” Cam explained. “The one that we know personally thanks to Henry and Pike and the one where Luke’s shooter is hiding, but they’re very different.”
My entire family had met the Sinners Motorcycle Club a while ago at the grand opening of “Hanks,” a bar Cam’s boss, Henry, from when he was with the DEA, has opened. Pike, a friend of Cam’s from his time in the Marine’s and also head of security at the bar thought it would be a good idea to be friendly with the MC because it’s situated very close to their business and clubhouse.
“How are they different?” I asked the room at large.
“The Sinners MC is a club that doesn’t like to be involved in too much illegal shit. They spent the last few years cleaning up the club and making it successful by running a custom shop and popular bar. They’re tame compared to other MC’s.” Cam provided.
“The Black Widows MC is not tame.” Nick interjected. “They’re an old MC started when drugs, guns, and prostitutes were the norm for business and they haven’t changed that philosophy. More importantly, they don’t want to change. They’ve been on the DEA’s radar for a long time, but we’ve never been able to gain access.”
“Why do you think you can now?”
“I think after working the last case with Cam, I have a better idea how to get inside and stay inside until I find what I need.”
“It’s too dangerous.” Cam insisted. “The club is one-percenters, meaning they do not abide by the law and they don’t fear it. If found out,” Cam looked directly at Nick. “they will kill you and not quickly. An enemy like you would be eliminated slowly.”
Fuck, I couldn’t let that happen. Nick and Cam are really good friends. I do not want to be the cause of anything happening to Nick, inadvertently hurting Cam.
“There are no other options?” I asked.
Brody sighed. “None that we can find brother. The last thing we want is you involved with Julie again. We’ve gone over every fucking angle and can’t come up with much more than what we have. If there’s anyone she’ll break for, it’s you. She’s obsessed with you, always has been.”
That was true, and at one time I fed off that obsession, loving that she wanted me like that, but now I know it wasn’t healthy and we’re all paying the price for my fuck up. I already knew what I was going to do, what I had to do to pay my penance for everything I’d caused. What I didn’t know was how the hell I’d explain this shit to Lanie.
“I’ll get in tight with Julie again.” I announced.
I felt Brody’s stare. “You sure?”
I shook. “No, I’m not sure. I don’t want to be anywhere near her, but I sure as hell don’t want to be the reason Nick goes into a place like that.”
“Alright,” Jax slapped his hand down on the table. “For now, we have a plan. Thanks guys.”
I began to stand, but sat back down when Jax looked my way. “We need a few more minutes Jake.”
The room cleared, leaving only myself, Jax, Brody, Luke, Chris and Cam. They came to sit close, surrounding me in their support.
“You sure you’re up for this?” Luke asked.
I met my brother’s eyes. “Yeah.”
He nodded. “Okay so what we need is for you to spend time with her, get her talking, hell get her drunk if you have to, whatever it takes so she lets some information loose. I’m assuming as soon as she thinks she’s got you, she’ll want to parade you around like a fucking show pony just because she loves drama so much and then you may be able to be the eyes for us so we know how to move forward.”
“You’ll wear a wire every time you’re with her.” Cam flicked his hand towards Luke. “Which Luke will be monitoring and recording.”
“We have another issue we need to discuss.” Jax turned his head towards Brody wearing an expression I couldn’t decipher before looking back at me. “Lanie.”
I shook my head. “Lanie will be fine. I’ll just let her know what’s going on.”
Jax looked remorseful. “That’s the problem, you can’t tell anyone, especially Lanie what’s going on. This relationship has to be real to the rest of the world.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I can’t do that to her. I’ve already put her through enough shit trying to figure out what I want.”
“And what do you want brother?” Brody asked quietly.
I looked him in the eyes and without a single hesitation, I told him. “I want her.”
“Fuck.” Cam cursed quietly, leaning his head forward and rubbing the back of his neck.
“I can still do it, I just need to explain it to Lanie.” I insisted.
Luke frowned. “It’s not that simple in our world Jake. We all—” He gestured to my brothers sitting around him, “—know how this will play out if Lanie knows. Not telling her is the only way we can protect her. She needs to believe the relationship with Julie is real so she stays away from you.”
“We didn’t realize things were as serious with the two of you as they are.” Jax confessed.
“It just kind of happened.” I admitted.
Cam slapped his palms against his knees and met Luke’s eyes. “I guess that means Nick’s going in.”
Luke closed his eyes slowly and lowered his head. I’ve never understood the world my brothers have worked in and especially the world Cam and Nick lived in for two years and honestly, I’ve never wanted to, but I do understand their expressions, having grown up with them and Luke’s is defeated.
Luke lifted his gaze. “No. We aren’t sending Nick in. I’ll think of another way.”
“We’ve gone over this Luke, there is no other way.” Cam insisted.
“Then we wait. He’ll screw up eventually and then we’ll make our move.”
I glanced around the circle of my brothers, the expressions mirror images of Luke’s and I made a decision. I’d spent my whole life living for myself. I love my family and I’ve always stepped up when they needed me, but for most of my life I’ve lived carefree and they’ve sacrificed. Yes, they chose that and they all seem to get off on it, but I need to carry the burden this time, after all it began because of my mistake and my temper.
“I’ll do it.” I held up my hand when Jax opened his mouth to protest. “And I won’t tell Lanie what’s going on.”
“Jake, brother, you might lose her.” Brody warned.
My stomach clenched at his words, but I shook it off and met their eyes, mine set with determination. “I’m doing it. And when it’s over, I’m getting my girl back.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
LANIE
“Hey girl. What are you doing?”
I smiled when I heard Paige’s voice. “Just working. What about you?”
“I’m off today and already bored out of my mind. Want to have lunch?”
I could hear her bouncing around unable to be still. As long as I’ve known her she hasn’t. “I wish I could but I’m a little behind with work. How was the weekend at home? Your cousin’s wedding nice?”
“Eh, it was boring. Not even a hot groomsman to ogle, but I did my duty as bridesmaid and then got the hell out of dodge.”
To say that Paige was not close to her family was not the truth and yet not a lie either. They had a strange love-hate relationship, with lots of yelling and complaining about each other, but when Paige was asked to be in the wedding party she agreed. She complained the whole time, but still did it. I’d never really understood their relationships, but I was always still jealous of what they had, even as dysfunctional as it always seemed.
“So, what do you say? Lunch?”
“I’m sorry Paige, I really need to catch up.”
“Oh come on Lanie.” She begged. “Just a couple of hours. You can work tonight. Unless…” She lowered her voice. “You have plans with Trey.”
At t
he mention of his name, my smile dropped, the weight of what I’d done still heavy to carry. “No date.”
“Lanie? What happened?” Concern laced her soft voice.
I frowned. “I’m that apparent huh?”
She sighed. “Lanie, honey, I’ve known you since you were twelve years old and not once have you been any good at hiding your emotions. Now spill it.”
“Trey broke up with me Friday night.” I admitted.
“Oh Lanie.” Her sympathy made me feel even guiltier. “What happened?”
“Don’t feel bad for me Paige, he had every reason to do it. I would’ve ended it too if I were him.”
“I can’t believe you could do anything that bad, but tell me what happened.”
I hesitated. “Umm…I’m not sure where to start.”
“Just start Lanie.” She encouraged.
I took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “Well I guess it started when Jake kissed me after my date with Trey and I had to tell him.”
“What! He kissed you?” She yelled.
I grimaced, forgetting I’d decided to keep that to myself for fear Paige would do exactly what she was doing and get excited, ultimately getting me excited, when I knew it wasn’t going anywhere. “Yeah.”
“Oh my god! How was it? Was it hot?” She squealed. “What am I saying, of course it was hot!”
“Yeah it was, but then he left and I got mad and yelled at him because he made me a cheater. I came clean with Trey the next day and he was so great about it, but he could only take so much.”
“Alright, hold on I’m still wrapping my brain around this.” She cleared her throat. “Okay then what happened?”
“Okay, well do you remember when Jake and Bray were sick and I helped out?”
She giggled. “You mean when you were in bed with him?”
I groaned. “Yeah. Well Trey called after Jake had gotten up and Jake answered my phone when I wasn’t in the room.”
“Uh-oh.”
“Exactly.” I confirmed. “Not only did he answer, but he talked to him and was kind of a jackass. I told him to stop it and I’d thought he listened, but then he showed up at my house Friday night and was waiting inside when Trey and I walked in.”
“He was in your house?” Her voice rose to a ridiculously high pitch.
“He was.” I confirmed. “And he told Trey that if he left, he’d forget he had his hands all over his woman.”
“Wait, what? I think I’m confused. Jake said you’re his woman?”
“Umm…yeah.”
“What?” She hollered. “What did Trey do?”
“He told me I wasn’t worth all the trouble and left.” I said, sadly.
There was a silence that lasted long enough for me to pull my phone from my ear to check the call was still connected. “Paige?”
“He said what?” Her voice was low, scary low.
“Paige…”
“He said you weren’t worth it?” She interrupted. “What a dick! Do not tell me Lanie that you feel bad for him!”
“Well, I…” I started.
“No. Don’t you dare.” She continued. “You are obviously worth more than him if that’s what he thinks.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter now anyway, because it’s over.”
“What happened with Jake after he left?”
“He stayed.” I said quietly.
“And….” She encouraged. “What did you do?”
“We talked.”
“Oh.” She sounded disheartened.
“In my bed.”
She squealed and I heard her clapping her hands, making me smile. “And…”
“We fell asleep.”
“Oh.” She cleared her throat. “Well maybe that’s for the best, you know take it slow, and all that.”
I decided to give her a little more, already anticipating her reaction. “But the next morning he snuck up on me in the shower, I punched him in the jaw, we had sex and he asked to be exclusive.”
“What?” She screamed so loud I had to pull the phone from my ear. “I don’t even know where to start with all of that. I mean, you punched him! Why? But then had sex? I honestly don’t know what I want to hear more about.”
I giggled. “That’s all I’m giving you.”
“Laaanniiee.” She wined, making me laugh, causing her to laugh too. “Alright at least tell me about the exclusive stuff.”
“He asked me Saturday morning, after, well you know. Actually, he didn’t really ask, more like told me that he wanted that.”
She sighed. “I knew he’d be bossy. It’s written all over him that he gets what he wants, none of this waiting around for someone to tell him what to do like so many guys I’ve been meeting lately. Ugh.” Her voice got soft. “What did you say?”
“I said that I wanted that too.” I answered just as softly. “Then we spent the entire weekend together, with Bray.”
“How was it?”
“It was amazing.” I admitted. “Almost too good to be true.”
“Oh Lanie, nothing’s too good for you. I’m so happy for you.” She paused. “Okay well if you’re turning me down for lunch, can I get dinner?”
“I’m sorry, Jake and Bray are coming to dinner tonight, but I can give you tomorrow night. Is that okay?”
“That’s better than okay and I can’t wait!” I smiled at the genuine enthusiasm in her voice. “Do you need to go?”
I glanced at the clock. “Not yet, I have a few more minutes. Tell me about the wedding.”
“Ugh, don’t even get me started on the ugly ass dress I had to wear. I’ll send you a pic.”
I laughed while Paige talked about her weekend and made plans for the next day, only ending the call when we both felt sufficiently caught up on each other’s lives. I worked the rest of the day, completly invested in the project in front of me, only moving from my computer to let Beasley out to go to the bathroom and to get a drink every once in awhile. Pleased with my progress, I looked at the time on my phone and jumped from the kitchen stool where I worked on my laptop most often, rushing to the shower. I had exactly forty-five minutes to get a shower and put a meal together.
I hurried through a fast shower, gave up on my hair and threw it in a messy bun. Thankfully I already had my contacts in and grabbed my jeans, adding a pale blue sweater made of the softest material I’ve ever felt. I liked it so much I bought it in four colors. Even Paige approved of how it looked on me and said it was stylish. Since I rarely hit both of those points, I snapped up all I could get to add to my wardrobe.
I was standing in front of my open cabinet, realizing only now that I’d invited Jake and Bray over and I have absolutely nothing to make, when the doorbell rang. I scanned quickly over a few things for a couple of recipes, but nothing to make a complete meal. I couldn’t believe I’d promised to cook and never took the time to even check if I had anything to make. I made my way out of the kitchen, completely irritated with myself until I pulled open the door and laid eyes on the most handsome man I’d ever met and the cutest kid by his side.
“Wanie!” I heard before a small body crashed into my legs. I smiled softly at Jake whose eyes had not left my face since I opened the door before I squatted down to wrap my arms around Braydon.
“How’s my favorite guy?” I asked, squeezing his sides a little making him giggle.
“Top Wanie.” He laughed harder before pushing past me, heading straight to Beasley asleep on the couch.
I stood and watched as he placed himself right in front of Beasleys head and using his thumb and finger pulled Beasley’s eyelid open until he could see his eye. “Wate up Bweasey! Time to pay!”
“Jesus.” I heard behind me and with a laugh I turned to face Jake who was shaking his head, but grinning. My stomach did a flip when he pushed in close to me, with a glance towards Bray to make sure he was still being entertained by the dog before he bent down to run his lips along mine. “Hey Lanie.”
His voice raked over my skin, causing me
to shiver and making his eyes dance. “Hey.”
I turned when I heard a thump only to see Beasley had finally succumb to Bray’s charms and was now on the floor while Bray rubbed his belly, already lying his body almost completely across the dog’s.
“Thank god you’ve got a patient dog.” Jake said, his eyes on his son, watching closely.
“That’s true.” I agreed.
Jake put his hand to my hip and pushed me back gently until he had room to close the door behind him. He squeezed my hip and leaned in close. “You have a good day?”
“Yeah.” I breathed. “You?”
He shrugged and that’s when I noticed he looked different, maybe even a little sad.
“You okay?” I asked and then something occurred to me. “Is Luke okay?”
He smiled sadly and nodded. “Yeah he’s doing good actually. Started working more full-time hours already.”
“Then what is it?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. Everything’s good.”
I felt an unwelcome dread in my stomach. “Jake…”
He reached his hand up and ran it along my jaw, down over my throat, until he could wrap his palm around my neck. “Everything’s going to be fine. I plan to make damn sure of it.”
Beasley’s bark broke the trance we seemed to be in and our eyes shifted simultaneously to Bray only to watch him grab the long rope toy from the floor and run around the back of the couch, Beasley wagging his tail and following, seemingly happy to play.
The awkward feeling I’d thought I’d said goodbye to this past weekend with Jake seemed to be trickling back into the room while we both stood there silently watching them play. I swallowed hard, deciding to move forward and hope this foreboding feeling in the pit of my stomach was just plain old nerves.
“Who wants pizza?” I asked the room at large.
“I do!” Bray yelled turning to face me, rope hanging from his fingers until Beasley saw his chance and snagged it out of his little grasp.
“Bweasey!” He giggled and the chase resumed, making me smile.
I turned to Jake whose expression hadn’t changed much and whose eyes stayed locked on Braydon. “Is Pizza okay? I didn’t get to the store.”
Elaina Page 18
