Shane

"So, you think this was deliberate?" I ask Torque while his fingers move a million miles per hour.

"Yes absolutely. Whoever did this not only knew what they were doing, they didn't leave any kind of trail. Normally, if you are on any kind of technology, even one that disarms things, it will leave a trace. This one didn't."

I rub my eyes with my thumbs frustrated that once again, we are on the receiving end of bullshit.

Torque and I have been here at our nightclub Sin, for two hours trying to figure out the lapse in security we got. Last night someone had somehow cut the feed to our security cameras and although we have looked throughout the building, we can't find anything different. Toque assured us that they may have not been trying to steal something in the first place. Target practice is what he referred to it as. They may have been wanting to test our system to see if they could hack it. If they can hack this one, odds are they can hack the system at the clubhouse.

"Shane, I think I got something." I turn around and bend at the waist at the screen Torque has been sitting in front of for hours. The man is talented, and I thank God he is the one that must deal with this shit and not me.

"What is it?"

"Look at this." Torque moves his mouse around a few times and clicks on some buttons. I wait impatiently while he pulls up the camera footage from the instant the feed went out.

"Yeah, we've seen this footage about ten thousand times already Torque, thought you had somethin' new for me."

"Watch." He says leaning in even further. I mimic his stance trying not to blink while I stare the same footage we have been watching since we got here.

"There, you see it?" He says nearly jumping out of his chair. He freezes the frame and I narrow my eyes, hoping that the blob I see in front of me is merely a mistake on my eyesight.

"Is that?"

"Yep. Looks like someone with a cut on brother."

"Ain't ours either." I say noticing the differences in our cuts. The nightmare Warriors cut has the death symbol holding his usual scythe in one hand and in the other a shield with the symbol for grace. It's the same symbol my father swore in front of, I would know it anywhere, and that ain't it.

"Yeah, I don't think so either. Shit, what does this mean?" I ignore his question and grab my phone out of my pocket heading for the other side of the main office we are currently using. Austin answers on the second ring.

"Got something?"

"Yeah. Someone defiantly cut off our cameras and system last night. Torque explained that they are on two different sets, so the guy knew what he was doing. Think we might have caught him on the screen just before it cut out."

"Yeah?"

"Not much, blurry image, but Torque and I can both make out a cut. It's not ours Austin." I wait for either shock or anger to come through the phone and when I am met with silence, I assume the later got to Austin.

"Shit." He finally says, blowing out a breath. "So, Shawna was onto something when she heard Julian rambling on before he died."

"Sounds like it."

A few months back Shawna had been kidnaped by someone hell bent on destroying Max's life. He held Max with the responsibility of getting his brother killed and from then on out, created a plan to get revenge. Shawna was a part of that plan, and apparently, she overheard him freaking out about some MC that was supposed to be helping him.

"Alright, thanks. We'll have a meeting soon since it looks like Miles may have some intel on following Alberts around these last few days."

"Got it." I finish then hang up the phone. "Heading out. Don't forget to get the system back online before you head out." I yell out at Torque and once I get his typical thumbs up from behind while he still stares at screen after screen, I head to the front of the club.

Sin is our most popular business, and although it's Thursday night, it's a busy night. I look around for Lucky to let him know what we discovered so that I can get the hell out of here. Me and crowds have never meshed well together and bumping into a bunch of drunken idiots hitting on each other is making my fists clench. I may come here for work but outside of that I would never step foot in a place like this. I'm more of homebody, so hanging out a home with my old lady while a little one or two running around, sounds like more of a good time than this.

Memories stab at my chest when I think of how close I had that actual fantasy. Lyla was everything I wanted in a woman. Fierce, loyal, a total smartass, and protective. It didn't hurt that she was the sexiest fuckin' thing I've ever seen in my life, or the fact that her body was made to mold into mine. Adrianna was the most important thing to her, and she quickly became what helped my cold heart beat faster each time I was around her.

I make my way over to Lucky where he is speaking to one of the staff going back and forth between customers. The bar area is busy but not as bad as the dance floor and tables. Walking behind the bar, I avoid any of the girls pouring drinks and find my way to Lucky who spots me immediately.

"Shane, everything go okay?" Lucky says meeting me halfway. I pull him further to the side, so we are out of the way and away from prying eyes and ears.

"Torque was right, someone deliberately cut the feed." Lucky closes his eyes and crosses his arms. I knew it would bother him that someone was able to get past our security system right under his nose. He takes great pride in all our establishments, but his greatest joy is Sin, he practically built it from the ground up after we got it.

"Fuck. So, what now? What does Austin want us to do?"

"Torque is still back there. He thinks he could put some kind of digital footprint tracker out there. If these assholes try again, we'll have them."

Lucky narrows his eyes on me and uncrosses his arms. "You don't seem convinced Shane."

"I'm not. I think they did this shit on purpose. Torque was able to freeze frame a screenshot of one of them going back there and cutting the feed. He's wearing a cut but other than that, we can't see shit."

"A cut?"

"Yeah brother, and it don't match ours."

"Sounds convenient."

"Exactly what I was thinking. Why wear a cut to a place you plan on breaking and entering? I don't doubt Toques skills, but it seems like they wanted him to see that shot. They managed to cut the feed without us noticing. Seems kind of stupid they put themselves right in front of the camera just to do it."

Lucky nods his head and opens his mouth to say something but before he could, Onyx, one of the girls calls him over for help. I take that as my cue to head out and let him know I will talk to him later. I'm sure Austin will call church tomorrow about everything we have learned. Including what Miles has been doing.

Something catches my attention before I could exit the club and I turn in time to see none other than Lyla throwing her head back in laughter. She is sitting at one of the booths along with Candice both laughing and wiping their tears from their eyes.

I immediately walk over to their area, not knowing exactly why I am or why I care that she is here. Besides Candice being Austin's old lady, Shawna works here from time to time and each of them are friends with Lyla. I've seen her plenty of times since we have split but there is something about seeing her here, in my space, tonight, that is drawing me to her.

I stop right before their table noticing all the empty drink glasses they have between the two of them. I do a mental note to check outside when I leave for either of their cars. Austin would have my balls if he knew one of his brothers let his fianc¨¦ drive home tipsy.

"Shane? What are you doing here?" Candice asks but my eyes won't leave Lyla. She's wearing a tight red dress that stops just below her waist. Her hair is in its usual curly disarray and her makeup is light. She looks fuckin' beautiful and it takes everything in me not to pull her to me and take her to the back, so I can show her she's mine.

"Takin' care of some business." Lyla doesn't meet my eyes, but I can see the light blush that has made its way up her neck. She feels me here and I hate that a real goddamn gentleman would leave so she wasn't uncomfortable, but I don't have it in me. Being around her does things to me, and right now, those things are pressed hard against my zipper straining to get out.

"Oh my God, I love this song." Lyla says jumping out of the booth. Seeing her in this dress when she was sitting was one thing, now that she is out and standing up, I can appreciate the view much better. Her breasts are practically sprawling out of her tiny top from moving out of the booth and the black heels she is wearing is making her legs look long as hell. She looks like a walking wet dream.

"I'm going to run to the restroom, then me and you are dancing." She shouts at Candice then runs to the back of the room. I watch her go all the way and am not satisfied until I see her walk into the bathroom. The brothers are always here splitting security shifts and Lucky is right next to the bathrooms where the bar is located, but I still don't like her going alone. I want to have a talk with her about that but then I remember she will most likely tell me to fuck off.

She ain't yours anymore you controlling asshole.

"Need to talk to you." I say to Candice at which she shimmies out of the booth and walks over with me to the side of the room where I can still keep an eye out for Lyla.

"Slow down, these boots aren't made for walkin'." Realizing what she just said Candice immediately barks with laughter and I roll my eyes and wait for the hysterics to stop. Once she calms down enough to have half a decent conversation with me, I begin my interrogation.

"Want to tell me why you two are here getting sloshed?"

"Is it a crime to be here? What, because she's a mom she's not allowed to come here and let her hair down?"

"You know that's not what I meant so retract your claws mama bear. I just meant it's not like Lyla, or you. Do you two even have a ride home?"

"Don't worry, I have a way home. Austin is having Chance come out and pick me up." I smirk, and Candy narrows her eyes at me. I know her and Chance aren't the biggest fans of each other. It feels like yesterday when they didn't trust each when she first came around the MC. "Oh shut up. I'll be too shitfaced to care who picks me up."

"So why are two here acting like this on a weekday night?"

"If I tell you something you can't get all caveman on her. Lyla is feeling a little emotional and I don't want to destroy her trust by telling everyone her business."

"Not just anyone darlin'." Candice gives me a sad smile then places her hand gently on my shoulder.

"I know that Shane. I know you care for her, but she's going through something right now and the last thing she needs is you being mean to her. I don't think she could handle much more."

Now I'm getting worried. Candice wouldn't normally bring Lyla here unless she wanted to help her get rid of a really bad day. Lyla is a lot like me. If she can hang out at home hanging out with her daughter, good movie, and a bottle of her favorite wine, she would.

"So, what happened?"

Candice takes a deep breath and explains. "We were at work today, we happen to both be getting off at the same time and before we could close out our stations at work, some guy came in and Lyla looked like she saw a ghost. She was upset and started yelling at him. I didn't get much out of it, only that he shouldn't have come and that they will settle everything later. She was unsettled and irritated, so I invited her for a few drinks. I had ghost drop us off and Chance will pick us up. Ghost said he was going to bring her car back to her house after."

I nod my head thinking it may have been her ex. Before I could question Candice further, her phone rings and she reaches in her enormous purse to answer it.

"Mom? Everything okay?" I observe as Candice's eyes go from dazed to anxious and worried. Her body language stiffens, and her eyes immediately grow with tears as her hand reaches up to cover the gasp from her mouth. "I'm on my way." She hangs up and must realize where she is because she looks around and stares up at me with a complexed look.

"My grandma, she's in the hospital. She was sick but assured us it was nothing. Mom went and checked on her today and she wasn't breathing normal. I need to go but."

I quickly understand her dilemma as I notice Lyla coming back out of the restroom and stumble towards us. I want to reach for her as she bypasses a few men that stare at her ass as she goes, causing my fists to clench.

". that okay Shane?"

"Huh?" I look back over at Candice and notice her face looks much more sober now. Anxiety will do that to you. I still remember the day I found out my father died. Everything quickly went into perspective for me.

"Is it alright if I take off? I would take Lyla home, but she lives in the opposite direction and I need to get to the hospital."

"Everything okay Candy?" Lyla comes and moves in between us causing me to unfortunately step back. I can smell her scent from here and it's making me want to grab onto her and never let go.

"My grandma, she's in the hospital. I hate to do this to you, but I can call one of the brothers to pick you up and take you home, I just need to get to the hospital." Candice explains, her fingers moving rapidly on her phone letting me know she is most likely texting Chance to come and get her.

"Of course honey. I'll find my own way home. Call me when you know more." The two girls hug each other, and Candice takes off out of the room towards the exit. I signal to Lucky to watch her and he gives me a head nod then walks after her.

"I can take you home." I say to Lyla before she moves back over towards their booth.

She immediately throws her head back and begins laughing. "There is no way in hell I am going anywhere with you."

"Don't have a choice darlin'. Need to make sure you get home alright and I don't plan on hanging out here all night watchin' all these fuckers stare at your rack." Lyla ignores me and walks back over to her booth to retrieve her purse. She then walks over to the bar and take a seat at the barstool.

Monique is working tonight, one of the bartenders that has been with us for a while. She and her older brother both work here and have a story that would rock even the strongest person. They are both doing better now and are both clean. Definitely some of the hardest workers we have here.

"Can I get a rum and coke?" I hear Lyla call out for her drink order but when I step behind her Monique looks up me, back to Lyla, then twice more. She must understand my hard face because she whispers to Lyla causing her to swing her vanilla scented hair around and narrow her eyes at me.

"You're fucking kidding me, right?" She says standing, then heads for the exit. I'm right there on her tail and grab her arm, pulling her with me to the alley that separates the bar from the restaurant next door as soon as we are outside.

"You need to calm down." I say calmly.

"Calm down? You're being an ass. I didn't know you were here and if I did, I would have brought my taser with me." I smirk at her attitude and how badly I am turned on being around this woman.

"Candice asked me to take you home, that's what I plan in doing. You want to be a brat because you're drinking too much and I'm trying to stop you from going home to your daughter that way, then be my guest." I say then instantly regret my words.

Lyla's eyes mist over but she covers up her hurt with anger. That is the second time I have let my anger get the better of me. I'm normally not the kind of person to hurt others with words. Lyla's a great mother and wouldn't do anything that she thought was too much for her daughter, and yet here I am tearing her apart for coming out and having a fun time with her friend. I don't know what happened today or if it was her ex that upset her, but being a dick right now isn't fair to her.

"Fuck you Shane." She says and heads for the street, but I grab her arm and turn her to me.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything."

"Why? Because it's what you really think of me and you feel bad for hurting my feelings? Or is it because you don't think that about me at all but would like to purposely hurt me?" She says sarcastically.

"I don't want to hurt you. I'm just being a prick." I want to kick my own ass for checking out the way her heavy breathing causes her breasts to expand on each exhale.

"You don't want to hurt me, yet every time we are near each other that's all you manage to do." She snarls in my face attempting to remove my hands from her arms. Instead I easily pull her in closer to me.

"Excuse the fuck out of me for being confused on how I feel about you. You lied to me, to everyone. You made your situation a different fuckin' scenarios than it was."

"No Shane. You had me. You had me, and my daughter and you walked away from us without letting me explain anything. I won't stick around for someone that doesn't trust me. You should know you can't take everything from face value. I was yours, completely yours."

Our breathing is heavy as we stare at each other. I move her closer and closer to me and we continue to exhale.

"And you always fuckin' will be." I move my lips down and rush them down on top of her. Our kiss is messy and sloppy. I feel her tongue move around with mine as I push her back until she hits the brick wall.

"Shane." She moans out my name and I take the opportunity to push her purse down until it hits the floor, grabbing her hips and bringing them flush with mine.

Lyla's hands go around my neck as she moves in to make the kiss deeper and I groan when I feel my erection pressing hard against her. Lyla quickly jumps up, making me catch her and bring her flat against the brick wall once more.

Her hands quickly move between our bodies as she fumbles around for my zipper. Once she finds what she is looking for, she lowers my zipper and attempts to push my jeans down. We are in a back alley where people normally pass by, but I couldn't give two fucks if she doesn't.

Lyla gets frustrated with her attempts and I take the opportunity to push her dress up and panties to the side. Pushing two fingers in, I immediately relish in how wet her pussy is, making me want to beat on my chest.

"God, Shane please. I need you inside me."

"Fuck babe."

I pull my fingers out, causing her to give me another breathy moan and reach down with one hand to pull my cock out. Lyla replaces my hand with hers and pumps me a few times.

"Shit babe, going to fuckin' cum if you don't stop. Need to be inside you."

Lyla stops instantly and braces herself back from me as I align my cock to her heated entrance. As soon as I'm inside I count to ten in my head attempting not to embarrass myself before she could get off.

Once I calm my body down enough, I begin slowly moving inside her one powerful plunge at a time. Lyla's moans match the rhythm of my thrusts as I move faster and faster. Once I can feel her tightness gripping me like a fist, I know she's close.

"Oh, fuck Shane, right there, right there, please don't stop." She screams, and I bend forward to bite her shoulder to keep myself from finishing before she does.

I feel her tight pussy grip my cock like a vice as she cums and that's about all I can take. I cum voraciously and release everything I have inside her.

Our breathing calms down enough for me to lower her to the ground and when I do, the entire atmosphere changes between us. Lyla pulls her dress back down, fixing her panties as well. I zip up my pants and look back over at her but can't make out her face, she is turned towards the alleyway that faces the street.

She most likely regrets what she just did, and I hate myself for practically fuckin' attacking her. I've always had a controlled life. Everything about my shit has to be in control, but with her it's different. Everything is.

"Lyla."

"It's fine. I'm fine. Let's just go." I nod my head even though she still hasn't turned towards me and walk past her to where my bike is parked.

"Didn't think I would be taking anyone home tonight. You good on the bike or you need me to call another brother?"

I'm giving her an out here. If she chooses to ride on the bike, that means she doesn't regret it, she prefers to be around me, and although I haven't earned shit from her, it will make me feel better if she chooses me. If she tells me to fuck off and send another brother, I'll be pissed but I would understand. I hurt her, then fucked her up against a dirty wall, and she deserves better than that.

"I'll just ride with you. I would rather just be home right now and the quicker that happens, the better."

Anger churns in my belly but I ignore it. She's choosing me but only because it's convenient. How many times have I felt that in my life?

"Fine, let's go." I say walking ahead of her.

Once we get to my bike, I hand her my helmet and take off as soon as I feel her hands wrap around my waist. It feels too damn good not to relish in the memories of her thighs wrapped around me while I ride, but my anger is still boiling from her words. Women have never been my forte, my mother and ex-wife made it a challenge for me to trust any women, but Lyla pushes my limits of trust. She always had.

It takes no more than half an hour to reach her house. Once I pull up the driveway, memories run through me from all the times I would stay idle in this very driveway while watching Lyla, Lisa, and Adrianna running around in the front yard or inside dancing to some god-awful Disney song.

Lyla breaks through my train of thoughts when she hops off the bike and yanks her helmet off. Before she could ignore me further and break me even more, I sling one more hurtful comment her way.

"What happened just now." She stops in her tracks but doesn't face me. I can see her body posture and it looks frigid. "It was a mistake. Nothing more than me getting' off. Got it?"

Lyla shakes her head then looks back at me with tears in her eyes. The vision feels like a stab to my heart.

You're hurting her again asshole.

"Fuck you Shane." She mumbles then takes off inside her house.

I should go after her. Tell her how sorry I am and how I had no right being a dick to her after I practically fucked like some kind of slut. I feel shameful, but instead of being noble about it, I back out into the street and take off. Feeling like the biggest piece of shit ever.