Her Three Wilde Champion Men (Wilde, Nevada 2)

“I’ll only be a minute,” she told her guys.

“Won’t you need help carrying your stuff out?” Justin said.

“I’m only getting a few things today.”

“We might as well empty out your house. You’re going to be living with us from now on,” he said. “We should’ve brought my truck.”

She turned around and looked at the handsome devil in the backseat. “And where will we be living, mister? Alex’s apartment? Brandon’s place in

Elko? Or the cabin?”

“The cabin for now, baby,” Alex said, taking his hands off the steering wheel and placing them on her leg. “We took a vote when you were asleep.”

“In this democracy I don’t get a vote?” she asked teasingly. “Let’s just take things one day at a time, fellows. I can handle what I need to get today. Besides, I think I need a moment alone to apologize to my guests for being absent so long.”

“I have more questions for them, sweetheart,” Brandon said. “Why don’t I go with you?”

“Please, counselor, can’t it wait? I just want to get my things and get back to the cabin.”

“You sure, sweetheart?” he asked.

“I’m sure. I’ll be back in ten minutes.”

“Make it five or we’re coming in after you,” Brandon ordered.

What an amazing Dom he would make. She’d cautiously broached the subject of The Masters’ Chamber last night but only Justin had admitted to attempting to get an invite inside. He’d given up after Austin had told him about the required class all Doms had to take before being granted entrance. That had put him off. With Justin, that night had likely been a curiosity, a passing fad, nothing more. Of the three, Justin was the most mischievous, ready to leap before looking. Brandon and Alex hadn’t tried to go to the club. That was odd, since most Elko men did make it up there at least once or twice in their lives.

Brandon got out of the car and held the door for her. God, he could be so charming at times. She kissed him before heading to the door. She loved her house but it didn’t feel like home anymore. Her home was with the Champions now, wherever they were.

Before opening the door, she glanced back at the car. The guys were talking, likely about her, about how to proceed with the investigation. She trusted them. Brandon was a great attorney. Both Alex and Justin had said so. They would find the real killer. She would be exonerated, free to live out her life with her men. Hope sprung up inside her like a geyser. Her dream had come true. All they had to do was find the real killer.

She opened her door and walked into her house. “Norma, are you here?”

“We’re back here, Shelby,” Lily said. “In the guest room.”

Time to start the apologies. She headed down the hallway to them. “I’m so sorry that I haven’t been around.”

When she made it to the door, she saw Norma on the bed, her eyes wide. Her lips were quivering and her hand was on her belly. “Stop, Shelby.”

But it was too late. She was already in the room, and the horror she found filled her with fear and dread. Dark blood oozed from a big spot on Norma’s dress that Shelby could see under the woman’s fingers.

Norma whispered raggedly, “Lily, don’t.”

“Too late for that, Momma.” Lily stepped in front of Shelby from behind the door. The crazy woman held a gun, which was pointed at her chest. “Too late for a lot of things.”

“You shot your mom,” she said. “Why?”

“Because of you. You caused this, Selby.”

Lily was calling her by her legal name. That expanded the terror already roiling inside Shelby.

“You caused everything bad that has ever happened to me. Samantha is dead because of you. I was her sister, not you. She should’ve come to me. I would’ve helped her, not let her down. Now she’s gone. Dead. You did that. You failed her. And you failed Mom. And me. And you’re the reason I had to shoot my mom.”

Shelby couldn’t believe any of this. Lily was completely nuts, just like Samantha.

“Lily, please. Think, sweetheart,” Norma choked out. “You don’t want to make matters worse for yourself. You need to get back on your meds.”

“Shut up, Mother.” Lily’s twisted smile made Shelby’s gut tighten.