ROMAN (Lane Brothers Book 5) Read online

  “Dammit, Mel, you can’t be running around between these criminals while—”

  “These criminals are my family and I’d thank you not to insult them that way, Miah Lane. Every one of them would die protecting me and don’t forget it,” I warn, closing my eyes in resignation when Will sidles up and leans into the bar right beside Jared.

  The man is hot with his blond hair, blue eyes, and muscled body, but he’s the most contrary person I know and I foresee an unpleasant night now that he’s involved.

  “Well, fancy seeing you boys here. I believe the swanky bars and fancy houses are on the other side of town. Y’all lost or something?” he asks conversationally. I see Jared’s hackles rise before his arm shoots out and he wraps a hand around Will’s throat.

  “I ain’t lost, Sparrow, just looking in on family is all. Now why don’t you skedaddle on back to your little crew of misfits and mind your own business,” he growls, letting go so slowly, I hear every bone in Will’s throat pop as he releases him.

  The action causes a wave of fury and Will’s men quickly begin to circle the brothers.

  “Dammit! All of you stop this shit right now and go on back to your own business!” I yell, feeling my temper ignite anew.

  This is why I am so pissed at Roman. The man is missing in action and not here to tell people that I can take care of myself. I know that a lot of his liberal thinking is actually him giving me a little rope before he “convinces” me to do things his way, but I like that about him.

  The threats keep coming and I see Lon grab his piece when Miah rises.

  That does it!

  I have the shotgun out from behind the bar and I’m aiming it a minute later, my hands steadier than they have a right to be, considering I’m about to lose my cookies because my stomach is quaking so hard.

  Tracy, meanwhile, is lounging back and looking on as if she doesn’t have a care in the world while Jace rises to his full height and towers over Lon.

  “You know how to use that gun, big man?” Jace asks easily and I see Lon stiffen when the Lanes all chuckle darkly. “I bet I could dismantle that baby before you got off one shot.”

  That makes Lon stiffen and narrow his eyes in that way he does before he gets serious and I know I have about half a second to get things simmered down before bullets really do start flying.

  “I’ll give y’all to the count of ten to sit your asses down and calm your flow or I’ll put lead in every single one of you assholes,” I growl, cocking the shotgun for emphasis.

  I’ll give them all new breathing holes in a blink if they so much as make another move toward each other. At this range, I can guarantee some of them will be going to the hospital to have buckshot tweezed out of their stubborn asses.

  I see Will and Lon tense as the rest of the crew back up a step, still recalling Gervais Aimes who grabbed my ass one time and ended up running for his life when I unloaded old Bertha in his direction.

  It was the last time that man ever darkened my doorstep, and I’m certain they all remember that I am not a chick who makes idle threats.

  “Whoa now, darlin’, we’re just having a friendly conversation,” Lon coos, holstering his piece with a grin when I turn my gun and my simmering eyes on him.

  “Oh yeah, Lonnie? Well why don’t you shake their hands and buy them a beer to prove it?”

  He stiffens and I see him swallow his spit before a grin lights his face and Will’s lips start twitching.

  It doesn’t escape me that these fool Lanes are all grinning as if I just handed them all winning tickets to the national lottery.

  Men. Jesus, give them a woman capable of violence and they all think it’s cute or something.

  Give me strength.

  I have the need to shoot them all just for thinking I’m not serious, but I calm the urge and lower my gun when they all start laughing. I see Will clap Jared on the back in commiseration.

  “That brother of yours had better come claim that woman, ya’ll hear me? I can’t have a hormonal pregnant lady with a shotgun working my bar for the next nine months. The last time she lost her temper, I spent a few grand cleaning up her buckshot and getting rid of a man.”

  Miah grins and the situation dissolves so quickly, I’m left flapping my lips in the breeze.

  “You assholes—”

  “Now, now, Melissa darlin’, don’t go getting too upset. It ain’t good for babies and I won’t have my godson marinating in stress hormones or whatever that shit is Dr. Oz was talking about. Now you put old Bertha away and get your family another round on the house while me and the boys talk about this mess our town seems to be in,” Will says kindly, waving the Lane brothers to his table.

  “Hoo, boy, that was more entertainment than I’ve had in weeks! I think I like it here. You hiring?” Tracy trills, leaning over to wrestle the gun out of my hands and back beneath the bar with a grin. “How about that beer and some girl talk while the Neanderthals talk death and cars, huh?”

  I can honestly say that I’m running on empty as I finally collect myself and hand her a beer before popping a ginger ale from beneath the bar. Judith was right, damn her hide, I think as I swallow the chilled drink and it immediately settles my stomach.

  Leaning in, I watch as the men start talking shop while Tracy just shakes her head and gives me a commiserating look.

  “They mean well, but it’s impossible for them not to take over wherever they go.”

  “Take over? They just walked in here as if they belong and shot down every plan I had!”

  She laughs and toasts me with her drink before getting serious and giving me a long once-over.

  “The only plans you should have right now are for you and your child’s safety, Mel. From what I heard from Jace, you have a bull’s-eye the size of China on your back.”

  “I know that. You think I don’t know that, Miss Ex-FBI? I’ve been back at the bar for less than a day and Lon already had to shoot one of those idiots watching me.”

  That was amusing, I will not lie. Even more amusing is the fact that not one person asked why I have people following me or why I’m not with Roman anymore. All they did was take care of the problem before ordering more beer.

  Like I said, I’m safe and they’re all family.

  “He shot…”

  “Yup. The fool followed me so close, I felt his breath on my neck. He would have been just fine if he kept his distance, but Lon caught him trying to sneak up to the apartment Milton is letting me use and he took it personally.” I laugh, winking at her when all she does is gape before laughing so hard, beer shoots out of her nose.

  “I think I like this place.”

  “Yeah? You should see what they do when someone insults their women. Now that is a sight to behold.” I laugh, keeping an eye on the men even as I allow myself to enjoy this conversation.

  This is may be the first time in almost a decade that I’ve spoken to a woman as more than just a courtesy, and I think I may actually like Tracy. She’s straightforward and about as primpy as a biker, just the kind of woman I like.

  “Seriously, though, you realize they won’t let you stay here? You’re in danger. You’re pregnant with one of their blood and they just so happen to actually like you, Mel. You have to realize that they would never leave you to defend yourself while Roman is away.”

  “Away? That’s how you describe the shitstorm we’re all facing? Roman isn’t away,” I hiss, losing my cool for the hundredth time today.

  Seriously, this hormone stuff is killing me. I used to just shrug things off and at least control my temper, but now I feel like a boiling pot of ass-kicking fury.

  I get mad about the smallest things lately, and let’s not forget that I am equal parts heartbroken and pissed that my dad was murdered and half the town thinks he offed himself!

  “Mel, look, I know none of this is easy—”

  “No it isn’t! I went and fell for a man who thinks he’s a one-man army and is likely to get his fool head blown off, and
the Lane family is up my ass at every freaking turn! I want this all to be over so that I can at least just…”

  “Assure yourself that the man you love isn’t part of a terrorist group bent on killing thousands of innocent people?” she asks shrewdly, looking at me with so much understanding, I find it hard not to just burst into stupid tears and unload my burden.

  I’m not a sharer by nature, but all this stress and doubt is really starting to get to me.

  “Tracy.”

  “No, I understand completely. Believe me, I do, Mel. There was a rough patch there when I thought Miah would lose it, and poor Jace was almost convinced that…but we know better. Roman may not be making the wisest decisions, but he’s an honorable man.”

  I feel a weight lift off me and I can breathe for the first time in a long while. She’s right, and just the fact that I harbored any doubt makes me feel so guilty that I want to cry and slap my guy for all he’s worth.

  “I know. I know. I just, I miss him so much. Now with Daddy being gone, and finding out I’m pregnant…I feel so alone, Tracy. I was never like this before, and now I find myself needing him, you know?”

  Her eyes soften and I see her smirk as she looks over at Jace with a grin.

  “You think you’re the only one who feels this way? Nah, babe, this is something that all of us went through, myself included. I had all these plans mapped out for myself, and none of them included falling for the man who broke my heart and left me alone for years. But you love who you love, and needing him isn’t a weakness. You need to realize that and find the strength to hold on. He’ll be back.”

  “But what if…”

  I can’t even finish the thought it hurts so much. There’s so much I don’t know, but I do know that the longer this drags out, the better the chances are of me never seeing him alive again.

  He may be good at his job and even better at acting (I’ve seen the man in action), but no one is bulletproof.

  My daddy sure wasn’t.

  “No, don’t even think it, Mel. The boys will get him out safely and then they’ll destroy that monster that’s been plaguing us all for so long. We have so much more evidence now and—”

  “Oh my God! I need to…I have something that they need to see. And I think it’s time I called my uncle Dobs.”

  Tracy narrows her eyes and I feel my face drain of all color when she just shakes her head.

  “We already went that route and got stonewalled. He isn’t interested in getting involved in an issue he says belongs to the Department of Homeland Security. When was the last time you spoke to him?”

  That gives me pause and I feel my brain start working when I consider that Uncle Dob wouldn’t want to help out, even after they told him about Daddy.

  “What exactly did he say?” I ask, ignoring her question.

  “Well, he told Miah that he told your father to keep his nose clean and that he isn’t willing to risk his career to come down here and clean up his mess. Then he told Miah to back off the case and leave it to him because he’s handing it over to DHS.”

  Hearing her say that he cares so little about Daddy is like a knife to the heart, and the anger I’ve been toting around starts boiling again. My first instinct is to call him and cuss him out for his attitude and the disappointment I feel at not being able to rely on him at a time like this.

  And yet didn’t Daddy warn me that his brother isn’t as heroic as I’ve always made him out to be? I hate that he was right all those times I begged him to call Uncle Dob. Now I have absolutely no one to turn to when all the chips are down.

  The worst part is that I know Daddy died thinking that he was alone, because in the end he really was. I was gone, Roman wasn’t there like he was supposed to be, and Dobs—

  I hear a phone ringing beneath the bar and I practically dive for my purse and almost drop to my knees when I fish both phones out of my bag and see that it’s the burner that’s ringing insistently.

  Only one person has the number.

  Chapter Five

  Melissa

  “Where the hell are you?”

  His deep, angry demand makes me laugh and cry at the same time, and I realize that I’m on my knees behind the bar, laughing and crying like a loon when I hear him start cussing and the sound of sheets rustling.

  “Baby girl, I asked you a question. Where the fuck are you?”

  “I-I’m at the bar,” I choke out, answering on autopilot because I feel so happy right now. I’m struggling to get my brain back into working order.

  He starts swearing violently.

  “You were supposed to stay at the fucking cabin where you’re safe!”

  “Oh yeah? Well I didn’t fucking want to. Do you have any idea what it’s like being shut away from the world for weeks, not knowing what’s going on? I couldn’t do it anymore without at least knowing what is going on, and…and Daddy…”

  Do not start crying, Mel. Pack it all away and keep it for later.

  I hear a curse and his tired sigh before he starts talking again.

  “Baby girl, I know I failed you, and I am so sorry for not being there when the chief needed me. I-I know I can’t make this up to you, but please do not do anything to put yourself in danger. I’m so close now,” he begs and I can almost see him pulling at his hair in that way he always does when worry and frustration overtake him.

  “Babe, Daddy knew.” I stop and clear my throat to steady my voice. “He knew what he got himself into from the beginning. This isn’t on you. It’s on him and whatever animal killed him. I know that. Just, just please come home now.”

  I know it’s not fair, that he’s got enough on his plate and begging him this way will only make things harder on him, but I need him. For the first time in my life, I need someone.

  I want him to drop everything and make me his priority. I want him to look at this all and decide that I mean more to him than his job and the promise he made to Daddy.

  Just this once I want him to choose me.

  “You know I can’t. I’ve almost got them all, Mel. I just have one more name to uncover and I’ll be home free,” he murmurs tiredly.

  My eyes close at the cajoling tone he employs and I know without seeing his face that I’ve lost the battle before it even began. For Roman, duty is everything. He won’t quit till his job is done.

  “I found Daddy’s papers,” I whisper, ignoring Tracy and shoving her away when she all but falls over the bar to hear what’s going on.

  “Christ, you went to the house?”

  “Yes, I…your brothers Miah and Jared found me there and…they’re trying to keep me under lock and key, you know that? I got Tracy to help me get out of the house and I came to the bar. Will and Lon—”

  “You keep them the hell out of this, Mel. No good can come from those hotheads barging in to swing their dicks around. The last time Will Sparrow decided to take care of business, I had to get rid of a body with enough of your buckshot in his ass that you would have been doing twenty to life,” he snarls and I roll my eyes.

  “I didn’t even hit him!”

  “I know that. That’s what pissed me off so much about it all. Tell Sparrow that the next body I have to get rid of shouldn’t be one that incriminates my woman!”

  “Oh, stop yelling at me! Swear to God I will end this call and you can go straight to hell for all I care,” I say.

  “Sorry. Babe, I…go home with Miah and the boys and stay there till I come for you.”

  “No.”

  “Melissa—”

  “No, Roman. I hate this shit. I can’t stay cooped up every day for God knows how long till you get your ass in gear. I’m fine here with Will and Lon.”

  “You mean Will, the man who’s been trying to get in your pants for years? That Will?” he snarls, making my lips twitch.

  The man’s in danger and half crazed about my safety, yet all he can focus on is the fact that I’ve come to Will for protection.

  “Honey, Will is like family and you k
now it, so stop beating your chest and calm down. I have so much to tell you and—”

  “Go home with Miah and Jared, Melissa.”

  “But—”

  “Shit, someone’s at my door. I gotta go, baby girl.”

  “No wait! I need to tell you that I’m—”

  “Go home with my brothers.”

  The line goes dead and still I’m screaming that I’m pregnant inside a bar that’s gone totally silent. When I finally find the courage to peek out from my spot, it’s to see them all staring at me with something that looks like pity.

  They’re all hovering near the bar, so I assume Tracy must have blabbed the moment she realized who I was talking to.

  Females.

  “He’s okay?” Miah asks quietly. I see the worry and love reflected in his eyes when I nod once and rise slowly to my feet.

  “He’s still a stubborn bastard, so he must be okay,” I mutter, weighed down by disappointment and resentment that I have no right to feel.

  The man just basically told me to wait for him because right now his case is more important than my feelings.

  That’s hurtful, no matter how right I know he is, and I want to kiss him and hit him all at the same time for making me feel like I’m a liability.

  My mutterings earn a few smiles and a wink from Jared before they all retake their seats at the bar and stare at me steadily. It makes me uncomfortable in that same way I felt whenever Daddy would catch me trying to sneak out of my window at night and look at me with disappointment.

  “Dammit, fine! I’ll come home with y’all, but I am coming to work tomorrow and the day after and the day after that, so get that straight before you idiots start thinking I’m a pushover,” I warn, slapping my dish towel against the counter with a thwack.

  “Mellie—”

  “Do not start with me, Miah. I’m emotional and angry and a hundred other things, but I am no one’s pawn. I need to work and feel in charge of something in my life or I’ll go crazy.”

  “Mellie, honey, you have more to think about now than yourself, though. You’re being followed and you’ve been back in town for less than a week. You know this isn’t smart,” Miah says quietly and I almost lean over and slap Will when he starts nodding and looking at my belly as if I’m smuggling a thirty-carat diamond or something.