Lane (Grim Sinners MC Book 1)

by LeAnn Ashers

  Lane turns on the shower, and I lift my shirt over my head and slide off the counter, taking off the rest of my clothes. Lane strips down along with me, and I pull back the shower curtain, stepping into the warm spray, the water hitting me directly in the face.

  I want to wash the memories away, along with the fear, but I also knew that Lane would come for me.

  “I have never been so fucking terrified in my whole entire life,” Lane whispers, and he wraps his arms around me from behind. I lean my head back and kiss the underside of his jaw.

  I will be okay; what happened was shitty but it won’t control my life.

  “Lane, I knew you were coming for me.” I did know he was coming; I had no doubt. I would go through hell to find him if he were taken.

  “Always, Doll.” He kisses the top of my head. I close my eyes, soaking in everything that is Lane. I hear a bottle opening, and I see my shampoo in Lane’s hand.

  “You don’t need to do that.”

  He grins that grin, making my stomach flip. “Well, I love feeling you up, washing is just an excuse to touch you.”

  I laugh and lay my forehead against his chest. I love him; the moment I saw him walk into the basement, I knew I loved him.

  Lane

  Later That Night

  “I let Darla, Brittany, and Adeline into Amelia’s house. I am not leaving her alone and, hopefully, she won’t wake up and notice I’m gone.

  “How is she?” Adeline asks.

  “She was shaken up earlier, but now she is okay.”

  Adeline smiles. “Good.”

  “We will take care of her,” Brittany tells me and I nod my thanks.

  “Give him hell, Lane,” Darla says as I step out onto the porch, letting my rage enter my body. I held that shit back because Amelia was my focus.

  Tiffany is with Shaylin right now, asleep. Shaylin will take her to school in the morning, and I will pick her up after school—and once Amelia’s face heals she is meeting Tiffany. Tiffany has asked about her multiple times a day.

  Now let’s go get acquainted with Sanchez.

  When I throw open the door to the interrogation room, all of my men besides the prospects are already waiting on me. Sanchez is hanging from the ceiling by his arms, his feet just barely touching the ground.

  Sanchez looks at me and his eyes widen with pure terror. Yeah, feel that terror, fucker—feel what I felt when I learned that she was fucking kidnapped.

  “Lane, I didn’t know she was yours!” he pleads and wiggles his arms around.

  I shake my head. Does he really fucking think begging me is going to do anything? “Sanchez, how many women have you gone after because someone else couldn’t pay?”

  Sanchez pales and I hear Smiley laugh behind me. “Why does that matter?” Sanchez stutters and tries to take a step from me as I step closer to him. Derek hands me the knife that I use at times like these.

  I split the distance between me and him. I stare down into his eyes, the eyes of the man who kidnapped my woman. The woman who was shaking in my arms, not wanting me to let her go. She was afraid and that shit doesn’t fly.

  I bring my knife up, running the tip across his cheekbone. He winces in pain as blood pools behind the knife.

  “Tell me.”

  He shakes his head and I grin.

  “No?”

  He shakes his head again.

  “Well, guys we have us a billy badass here.” Sanchez flinches as everyone laughs. I slam the knife into his thigh. He screams like a woman. “Not so fucking tough, are you? How many women have you treated as you have my Amelia?” I grab his face so he is looking at me.

  “Too many,” he rasps out.

  “How many have you forced to work to pay off debts?” My anger rolls out at the thought of this happening to Amelia if I weren’t there to protect her.

  “Too many.” He groans in pain.

  My body stiffens as I ask this last question. “How many of them have you raped?”

  He looks at me then turns his head to the rest of the guys. He finally looks back at me. “All of them.”

  Fuck! I slam my knife into his other thigh then drag it down, anger rolling out of me in waves. I want to tear him limb from fucking limb. I pull out my knife and throw it on the ground.

  “Knucks.”

  Derek hands me a pair of steel knucks. I slide them over my fingers. I want him alive enough so my brothers get their piece.

  I hit him square in the face twice with both fists, his head flying back with each hit. I grin in satisfaction at the sound of his bones breaking. Amelia may be the reason we are doing this, but it’s also for the other women who have suffered at this fucker’s hands.

  I pound one hit after another into his body until his face is completely unrecognizable.

  “Next.” I step back and allow the other guys to take over. My dad steps up next, then Wilder, then Derek, and on down the line.

  The guy can’t even move once everyone is done with him. He is also a lesson. Don’t fuck with the Grim Sinners.

  Derek hits the bottom of the wall, and the guy hits the floor with a thud. He will not die standing; he isn’t allowed that honor.

  “See you in hell.” I take out my gun and pull the trigger, and the bullet hits the back of his head.

  I let my hand drop and turn to face my men. They nod respectfully.

  “How is she?” Wilder asks.

  “She was shaken up earlier, but she is fine. Tough as shit.”

  A couple of the guys chuckle.

  “Remind me not to piss her off. She shot the guy’s dick off,” Malek, one of my cousins, says.

  That was her taking back her freedom, letting him know she won’t allow herself to be fucked with, and she won’t allow this to affect her life.

  “Go on, son. Go take Tiffany to school and then go see Amelia.” My dad smacks me on the shoulder then pushes me toward the door.

  “See you fuckers later!” I yell and open the door. The clock on the wall reads 6:00 a.m. Tiffany will be getting up any minute.

  I hurry out of the clubhouse and to my bike.

  “Hey, sweet Angel.” I smooth Tiffany’s hair out of her face, waking her up. Her eyes open slowly, and she gives me a sleepy smile. “Hey, Daddy.” She sits up and wraps her arms around my neck. I lift her out of bed, holding her like a baby.

  “Daddy, I am not a baby, silly.” She giggles sleepily, but she doesn’t move.

  “You will never get too old to be my baby.” I close my eyes and hold my daughter tighter. Every single day she gets older and older.

  “What happens when I get married someday?”

  “That’s easy, Angel, you’re never getting married.”

  “Of course I am, Daddy, but only if he is like you. You’re the best breakfast maker.”

  God, I love this little girl.

  “Come on, let’s get you some breakfast.”

  We pull to a stop outside. “Dad, don’t you think it’s time I meet Amelia already?”

  I chuckle at her sassiness. “This Friday evening, Angel.”

  She grins at me. “About time, Dad.”

  I get out of the truck and open the back door to lift her out. She grabs my hand as we walk across the road. One of the moms who has a crush on me walks in our direction.

  “Oh brother,” Tiffany whispers and I grin. She is too smart for her own good.

  “Lane! How have you been?” I remember her name is Annie. She looks like a grade-A stripper at seven thirty in the morning.

  “I’m good, Annie.”

  Her eyes widen with delight when she realizes I know her name. Fuck me. “So I was thinking.” She cocks her bony hip to the side; she isn’t my Amelia—that’s for sure. “Maybe we can get dinner.”

  Tiffany lets go of my hand. “My dad has a girlfriend named Amelia.”

  I burst out laughing, and Annie all but runs away from us. I bend down and kiss the top of her head. “Have a good day, Sweetheart.”

  She runs up the si
dewalk, meeting with her friends halfway, and they all run into together.

  Amelia

  “I love your daughter,” I say through my laughter, because I just got the rundown on what Tiffany did earlier. I already like her; she is a little firecracker. I think we will get along just fine.

  Lane grins as he watches me laugh. I am dressed in one of his baggy shirts eating McDonald’s food he picked up on the way here. Sharon and the girls left once he got here.

  “Lane, I think we both need some sleep.”

  He nods, and I can see the wear on his face. I set my wrapper on the coffee table and grab his hand, leading him toward my bedroom.

  I strip out of my shorts, leaving me in only a pair of panties and his shirt. He strips out of his pants and T-shirt, leaving only his boxers.

  I slide between the covers, and Lane lies down beside me, his arm stretched out. I slide into his arms, my head lying on his chest. He kisses the top of my head. “Sleep, Doll.”

  It takes me seconds to fall asleep, feeling safe, warm, and happy once again in the arms of the man I love.

  I repeat my mantra once again. I am so fucked.

  10

  Amelia

  One Week Later

  I meet Tiffany

  Untitled

  Breathe, Amelia! I repeat over and over in my head as I walk up the steps to his house. Today is the day I meet his little girl—the most important thing in his life—who could become my daughter.

  The door opens, and I freeze as I see long brown hair before the most beautiful little girl peeps her head out. Her eyes connect with mine, and it’s like my world stops. She looks so much like Lane!

  “You’re finally here!” She opens the door and steps out onto the porch. “I’m Tiffany.” She smiles and I smile back.

  “Nice to meet you, Tiffany, I’m Amelia.” I lift my hand for her to shake.

  “We hug here—that’s what Papa Smiles says.” She comes over and wraps her arms around my waist. I am gone for this little girl already. I sense someone watching, and I look up to see Lane staring at us with a soft expression which causes my stomach to flutter.

  I bend down a little more to wrap my arms around her. “Nice to meet you, Tiffany.” I hug her a little tighter.

  I relax my arms, but she doesn’t let me go. I look up at Lane, and he’s staring down at Tiffany. His eyes flit to mine, and I know he’s noticing the same thing I am.

  “The steaks are ready.” The door creaks as Lane pushes it open a little more. She stirs in my arms and lets me go while flashing me a smile.

  She is wearing skinny jeans, light pink socks, and a flowy teal blue mid-sleeve T-shirt, and her long dark brown hair flows down her back. Her face is the spitting image of Lane, but she got all the good parts—she is absolutely beautiful.

  “Let’s get my ladies fed.” Lane winks at me and Tiffany laughs. She hops into the house, her hair flowing behind her.

  “She is beautiful, Lane.” He wraps his arm around my waist. We walk into the house, and I am hit with the smell of steak. Lane and his steaks; I am pretty sure he doesn’t know how to make anything else.

  He flashes me his cocky smile. “Well, she is my daughter.”

  I roll my eyes and smack his chest lightly at his cockiness. “You guys coming or what? I am wasting away here,” Tiffany yells from the dining room.

  Lane and I laugh loudly.

  I walk into the dining room to see her sitting calmly at the table. Lane walks around the table, and I sit down in the seat across from Tiffany. She grabs a white napkin off the table and places it in her lap. I grin at Lane and a smile tugs at his lips.

  “Baby, you need me to help you cut up your steak?”

  She rolls her eyes. “Dad, I got this.” She grabs her steak knife and fork and cuts her steak into small pieces. She is so sassy; I love it. I laugh and begin cutting up my own steak.

  “Since you’re here, Amelia, and you’re dating my dad, maybe you can help me out.”

  Lane groans and covers his face with his hands.

  “What’s that, honey?”

  She gives me a sly little smile. “Talking Dad into letting me have a bra.”

  I burst out laughing as Lane pales and holds his stomach. “A sports bra, maybe?” I ask and Lane groans again. I bite my lip so I don’t laugh again. She nods and goes back to eating her food.

  I understand the desire for a bra. When I was around her age, I wanted them from the moment I saw my mom wearing them. A sports bra is completely harmless, and I guarantee once she has it she won’t even wear it.

  “Dad, can I ride my dirt bike after dinner?”

  “Sure, Baby.”

  He is so sweet; it makes me love him all the more when I see him staring at her like his entire world rests in her hands.

  “Can you ride, Amelia?”

  “I used to ride when I was a kid.”

  Tiffany claps her hands. “That means we can ride together!” She grins at me and my heart skips a beat. She is so pretty when she smiles; her eye light up with happiness and I can’t not stare at her.

  I must say Lane is so fucking screwed when she gets older. Guys will be beating down the door, and Lane will be beating their asses.

  “Baby, go put on your riding gear. We will ride down to the lake, have a fire, and fish.”

  She runs out of the dining room, her footsteps pounding the steps.

  “Want me to help pack some sandwiches and drinks for later?” I ask Lane.

  He walks over and kisses me softly on the lips. “I will bring in the cooler. We have an ice maker in the pantry. Thank you, Baby.” He kisses me on the forehead and walks out of the room, leaving me all alone.

  I clutch my stomach; constant butterflies have rattled me. Meeting Tiffany is such a huge moment for me. Tiffany is the most important thing in Lane’s life, and I want her to like me because, if everything goes according to plan, she will be my daughter.

  I break from my thoughts to stack our dirty dishes and carry them into the kitchen. I set them in the sink; I will wash those later. I open the cabinets and find everything I need to pack a lunch for later.

  The door that leads to the garage opens, and Lane walks in holding a cooler. He sets it down in the middle of the floor. “I will be back once I get her bike out, Doll.”

  Once I have everything packed, I hear Tiffany’s faint voice. “Daddy, can you braid my hair for me?” I close the lid to the cooler and put back the lunch meat, and I move in the direction of Tiffany’s voice.

  I peer around the corner to see her decked out in gear. Lane is standing behind her, French braiding her hair. Not able to resist I grab my phone out of my pocket and take a picture of him.

  This is too fucking cute. A huge man, tattooed and looking like he can kill you just by looking at you, can get down to a sweet little girl’s level and braid her hair. He is so gentle with her. I wish my dad had been this way when I was growing up.

  Lane and Tiffany have a bond that is purely amazing. She is a daddy’s girl through and through, and Lane loves her so fucking much—I can see it by just looking at him.

  Lane told me that he has to tell me the story of how they met. Apparently, it isn’t good and she has been in his life only a year because he didn’t even know she was alive. There is more to the story, and I will know it soon.

  “I have the cooler packed,” I tell them.

  Lane ties her hair off with a bow and helps her down from the counter. “Amelia, you have to see my bike!” She runs over and grabs my hand, pulling me from the room. She leads me outside to the garage, and I see a small hot pink dirt bike with her name on it. “Oh I love how it’s pink!”

  She smiles at me. “Daddy surprised me with it for my birthday.”

  He is such a sucker.

  “Baby, put your helmet and gloves on. Amelia and I are following behind you in the Rhino.”

  She grabs her helmet off the handlebars, slips it over her head, and tightens the straps on the bottom.

 
; “Come on, Doll.”

  I tear my eyes from Tiffany and follow Lane. He sets the cooler in the back of the Rhino. I open the small door and climb in the seat beside the driver. This Rhino is huge, and it also has a backseat.

  Lane starts the Rhino, and I look back at Tiffany just as she starts her bike. She gives me a thumbs-up and takes off. My heart goes into my throat; what if she gets hurt?

  “I know what you’re thinking, and why do you think I follow her?” Lane shoots me a grin and takes off after her. I grip the handrail and hang on for dear life. Tiffany got her need for speed from Lane. Tiffany jumps little hills, does small wheelies, and is an all-around daredevil.

  “You know I have never been fishing before.”

  Lane looks over at me in shock. “Never?”

  I shake my head. “Never!”

  He grabs my hand and kisses the back of it. “Well, I guess there’s a first time for everything.”

  Thirty minutes later we arrive at the back of Lane’s property, which is a lake that stretches out through many properties that other MC members own. Their properties are side by side but closed off with high fences.

  Tiffany parks her bike and takes off her helmet. Lane pulls next to her and I climb out. I reach in the back, grabbing the blanket that Lane tossed back there for us to sit on.

  The lake here is so beautiful, surrounded by lush green trees, and peaceful. This is heaven. Lane has an amazing life on this property, with a lake and a beautiful house and surrounded by family.

  I spread out the blanket on the ground and glance at Lane and Tiffany. Lane is smoothing Tiffany’s hair out of her face, talking to her about something. I look down to hide my smile.

  I sit down on the blanket and stare out at the water.

  “Amelia, you have pretty hair.” I feel a piece of my hair being lifted, and I smile at Tiffany. She sits down beside me holding her small fishing pole.

  A pole is placed in front of my face, and Lane sits down beside me. He sets a couple of Styrofoam containers in front of me. Tiffany bends down, pops one of them open, and digs in a pile of dirt. She pulls out a huge-ass worm, and I stare in utter disbelief as she strings the worm onto her hook. She notices me staring. “Do you need me to help you?”