JARED-1(Lane Brothers, Book 4)(40)

These two will be lucky to die today, I think when I see an unknown man walk into the room, his designer suit and perfectly coifed hair screaming at me.

I feel like I should know this guy, and yet as he strolls over to Rydell and bends down with a smile, I know that I have never met him before in my life.

“Oh Clyde, you should really have kept your grimy little paws to yourself, man. Father is very disappointed in the way you’ve been cheating your own brothers out of their hard-earned money.”

Who the hell is this guy?

I take out my phone and keep completely still as I snap a few photos of the scene taking place and send them to Miah with an apology for the gruesomeness of it all.

I can do nothing else here, so instead of doing Huley and his lover the kindness I want to by just killing them, I turn and make my way silently to the back door, replacing my earpiece with a grimace.

I actually want to go farther down the hall and get to Paulie, but it’s a no-go and I have to trust that she’s safe with my brothers right now and keep my head in the game.

“Jace. Door.”

“All clear, bro.”

My exit is silent and I make it back to my vantage point minutes later, not even breaking a sweat as I retake my scope and lock eyes on my girl. She seems calm now and sits sneering at them all just the way I taught her. I tune back in on the meeting with a grimace.

“I don’t give a shit if you’re the freaking pope, Jerry, I refuse to hand down a death sentence to a woman who is crippled and defenceless! I may not be one of Cleo’s biggest fans, she saw to that the day she threatened my family, but I will not do this. This is murder!” Paulie hisses, making me swallow when I see Jerry turn red and sneer her way.

“She’s useless to us right now and you know it. We have to make a move before that crazy bitch comes back! I will not have the Lanes tearing down this organization for revenge, Paulette. I have worked too hard to get to this point. Now cast your Goddamned vote!”

Paulie stands to her feet with a sneer of her own and I see her lean closer to Jerry as if her attitude alone can negate her small stature and the slight trembles that are working their way down her body.

I recognize the signs of an oncoming attack and go to tell her to get out now when she surprises the heck out of me.

“My vote is and will always be no, you simpleton! Now get that through your thick skull and move on! As proxy to Cleo and your dear wife, I hold the deciding vote and I’m throwing this issue right off the table. That’s final.”

Oh sweet Lord, that woman is so getting hammered when we get home and I have a bed under her sweet ass. She’s fierce and brave and I can’t hold in my proud grin when she faces down Jerry before turning to Roman, who looks bored as hell.

“Is this all? Like I said, I have somewhere to be before my man realizes I’m not visiting some friends.”

“You realize that by voting this way, you’re keeping yourself in the mix. If Cleo dies we can call a council meeting to replace her seat with another member. You’d be free of this, Paulette.”

I close my eyes as my cousin puts it all out on the table and at least tries to help my girl out of this mess. I’m so grateful right now, I could kiss the asshole, but I know, before she even shakes her head, that she won’t go for it. That makes me equally proud and pissed at the same time.

“I will never free myself by murdering another person, Roman Lane. Never. I know you won’t understand it, and from the way Jerry keeps grunting, he doesn’t, either, but it’s not something I will ever do. I’ll stay in for as long as it takes Cleo to either wake up or die naturally.”

Roman nods and I see Jerry frown darkly.

“You will be keeping this to yourself, of course, or we will have no choice but to convince you of the error of betraying us.”

His threat is clear and I have to grind my jaw against the need to go in there and plant my fist in his face. I love my brother, but no threat to the family is appreciated, even if I know he’s just playing a role.

“Of course.”

I breathe out a sigh of relief when Roman simply nods and stands to his feet, ambling over to Paulie with a slow swagger that twists my lips.

“I’ll walk you to your car. Wouldn’t want the proxy to die before Cleo has a chance to kick the bucket. The council would be in turmoil. Gentlemen, ladies, this meeting is adjourned.”

Paulie tenses the minute Roman touches her and I growl into the headpiece, getting a soft giggle for my efforts when Roman escorts her to the stolen Aston and opens her door, handing her in with a cold smile.

“Check under the hood,” he says before he closes the door softly and stands back for Paulie to start the engine and pull out.