Out of the Ashes (Sons of Templar MC #3)(53)

“Zane!” Lexie exclaimed, a grin on her face as she rushed over to us with her guitar. Her face didn’t even falter when she saw Zane and I in a decidedly intimate position.

“I’m so glad you came! This gig freaking ruled!” she said with a smile.

Zane looked at her a moment, then released me, taking the guitar off Lexie with one hand. His other yanked one of her curls lightly. “You were great, Lex. Got a lot of talent, girl,” he murmured quietly.

Lexie’s entire face lit up at this and she blushed slightly.

“Dude, you’re in the Sons of Templar? That’s like...freakin’ sick.” Sam interrupted the tender moment with teenage boy amazement, staring at Zane.

Zane glanced over at him with a hard glare, much like the one directed at Clay. I decided to interrupt this exchange, as I didn’t want him sabotaging Lexie’s future by murdering her bandmate.

“Okay, let’s get out of here, guys. You’ve all got parents to get home to, who I’m sure will think I’ve taken you to a rave if I don’t get you back soon,” I declared, clapping my hands together.

Clay opened the door that led to the parking lot where my car was. This was so they didn’t have to walk in and out of the bar. The boys hustled out first.

Clay gave me a look. “Offer’s still good, babe—call me if you change your mind. Regardless—” his eyes moved to Lexie, “I got her covered.”

The air turned electric with those words, and Zane’s entire frame turned to granite. Clay didn’t even blink. Brave guy. Zane’s gaze flicked to me.

“Take Lexie to the car,” he half barked.

“Zane,” I started to protest.

“To the f*ckin’ car, babe,” he gritted out.

I sighed, clutching Lexie’s hand. She had been watching the exchange with wide eyes. “Let’s go to the car, baby girl. Let the men have their...conversation,” I said. I pushed Lexie out first, reaching up to Zane’s ear as I walked past. “And I mean conversation. Not brawl,” I ordered firmly. Zane’s eyes flickered slightly but otherwise he gave me no inkling that he knew I had spoken.

“See you, Clay, thanks again,” I told him nervously, hoping he would still have working fingers to dial and speak to his record exec friend.

He grinned. “Later.”

Crazy bastard.





We finally pulled up to our place after dropping very excited teenage boys off at their respective homes. I was surprised Betty could fit three growing boys who were all legs and muscle into her interior, but she managed. I also had to reassure one set of parents that the whole event was kosher. The other two didn’t seem bothered their sons were at a bar nearing midnight. This worried me slightly.

“Thanks, Mom,” Lexie said quietly as I turned off the car.

“For what, doll?” I asked, turning in my seat.

She met my eyes. “For letting me do that. I think about ninety-nine percent of good moms wouldn’t let their kid do something like that. Which is what you are, by the way—the best mom. Means a lot that you did. This is all I ever want to do,” she told me quietly.

I stroked her face. “Know that kid. Which is why I let you do it. Wouldn’t be much of a mom if I didn’t let you follow your dreams. Plus, I trust you. I’ve raised an awesome kid, if I do say so myself,” I joked. “Now let’s get you to bed, superstar. With your career ahead of you, you need to grab as many z’s as you can. Rock stars don’t get famous without getting eight hours every night.”

She smiled at me and got out of the car. I followed her lead. My eyes rested on the bike that was parked in the driveway across from us. The bike that had followed us to every house on the way home. And the bike that had a figure leaning against it. Lexie followed my eyes.

“Night, Zane!” she yelled across the street.

There was no answer but a hand lifted up, visible in the dim street lights.

“You go on in, honey, I’ve just got to have a word with Zane,” I told her.

She gave me a knowing look that she was too young to give and nodded. “Okay. Night, Mom, I’m going to crash,” she declared pointedly and kissed my cheek.

I watched her go into the house before crossing the street.

Zane hadn’t moved from his perch on the bike.

As I had almost made it to him, his voice cut through the darkness.

“No closer, babe,” he bit out.

I stopped, on instinct more than anything. Then I furrowed my brows. “Um, why the heck not? I’m about to give you a piece of my mind for that little performance and I would rather not wake up the neighbors by yelling. So, in order to give you a piece of my mind, I need to be in closer proximity than this,” I snapped, stepping forward.

“You come closer, I’m going to claim you mouth. Ain’t gonna be gentle and it ain’t gonna be f*ckin’ G rated. Which is a problem, considering your girl is looking at us through your window,” he told me roughly.

I froze. My head turned a smidgen to see a small figure dart out of the window. Shit.

“Have you got Batman eyes or something?” I asked seriously.

Zane didn’t answer, and my mind flickered back to the time he had been in this very spot and Lexie and I had both been spying on him.

“Okay fine, I’ll say what I have to say from here.” I crossed my arms.