Roman-1(Lane Brothers, Book 5)(11)

I’d be ecstatic if they did take out the Patriots. In fact, I could kick myself for not thinking about playing this angle sooner. The only problem is that Will doesn’t play favorites. If he thinks Roman is one of them, he won’t hesitate to take him out along with the other filth.

I can’t have that, at least not yet. I need to see Roman and make sure he’s still the same man I fell in love with before I make my next move, which is giving Will the file that Daddy was compiling before he died.

It gives a few hints at some of their safe houses and even names Cleo and her mysterious secret partner whom no one knows about. I have that now that I managed to escape the Lane brothers and retrieve it from Daddy’s safe without interruption.

What I need now is for Roman to answer his Goddamned phone before I turn the stuff I have over to Will to take care of. Roman will be pissed that I’m bringing outsiders into the mix, but I don’t care.

Will and his guys may just appear to be a crew of misfit bikers, but these men are organized and ruthless, as well as determined to keep their patch of “land” safe from other parties. I know they’ll at least put a dent in the Patriots while the Lanes move in.

If nothing else, I’ll have a way to get to Roman, and that’s all I’m looking for right now. I need to see him, hear him…something.

I’ve lived with this dark cloud over my head for years now, and I just want it gone so that I can have my life and my family in a safe environment. I refuse to give birth to my baby while cowering in some backwoods cabin. Meanwhile, the father of my child runs around thinking he’s some super hero.

Super hero my ass! He’s already dropped the ball once in the form of Daddy dying, and I refuse to let him disappoint me again. Not when the last promise he made was that he’d stay alive.

“Yo, Mel, get me a beer and some food, would ya, doll?” Little Lon yells from his place at the end of the bar.

I hop to it and place his order at the rinky-dink kitchen window before making my way to him with a cool one and a smile that I have to force.

“Here you go, Lon. So, how are things with Lettie and the kids?”

Small talk. My least favorite thing.

“Good. Vella is doing some dance class recital or some shit, and Kim wants a new drum set. They’re driving their mama nuts, but I thank God I ain’t home long enough to have to actually say no to my little princesses.” He laughs, taking a healthy swig of his beer before turning to me. “I’m mighty sorry to hear your old man took off on ya, Mel.”

I snort at that and roll my eyes because the fool is grinning so wide, I can see his tonsils. He’s still convinced Will and I would make a great couple. While I can’t disagree that we’re similar and both hot enough to make great babies, I’ve never seen the man as anything more than a friend.

“No you aren’t. You still think I need to give your fearless leader a shot,” I gripe, squinting into the dark interior of the bar as I hear the door open and a chorus of grumbles.

“Oh shit.”

Lon raises a brow at my muttered curse and turns just as Miah and Jared Lane come sidling up to the bar, followed by a scowling Jace and an even angrier Tracy.

“You want me to get rid of the money, little darlin’?” Lon asks sweetly and I resist the urge to roll my eyes at the man.

It’s no secret that the Lanes are badasses and Lon will likely get his kindly ass kicked all over the place before these men let anyone stand between them and their prey.

I gulp a little when they take a seat right in front of me and just sit, glaring holes through my skull as I crack a few beers and plonk them down with a frown.

“Chill, Lon, I’m fine. I may need some privacy, though,” I say when it looks like he’s getting comfortable enough to stay for the whole confrontation.

“Mel—”

“Now, Lonnie. We have some shit to discuss and I’m not feeling too great about having my ex’s family here as it is. Skedaddle, man. I’ll be fine.”

The other patrons are all watching the scene as if it’s the event of the year, and I can almost hear their pitying thoughts as they pretend to turn away and mind their own business.

All I am right now is the poor chick from the wrong side of the tracks who got her ass dumped by one of the rich boys.

“What are you doing here?” I ask through gritted teeth when Lon finally gets the message and ambles off towards the pool tables.

Jared stares at me while Miah shakes his head and sighs.

“I could ask you the same thing, Mellie.”

Oh Lord in heaven, give me some of the patience you neglected to hand out at birth.

“I’m working, asshat. What the hell does it look like I’m doing? Contrary to what you may believe, I am no one’s charity case and I will not be sponging off you rich dudes because your brother decided to knock me up and pull a runner.”