A Beautiful Funeral (The Maddox Brothers 5)

Tyler’s brows pulled in. “What did he do?”

I sighed. “In the spirit of full disclosure … Thomas knew if he brought Travis into the Bureau as an asset, he could keep him out of prison. He also knew he’d get a promotion.”

“But I had a choice,” Travis added.

Trenton frowned. “Strawberry or chocolate is a choice. Going to prison or being a pawn for the FBI isn’t a fucking choice. Now, your family is in danger, Trav. How could you do that?”

“Trenton,” Jim said.

“You think I wanted this?” Travis said, instantly enraged. “You think I wanted any of this?”

“Boys,” Jim said.

“I think Mom didn’t want any of us going into Dad’s line of work for a reason, and you two pissed all over it,” Trenton said.

“That’s enough,” Jim boomed. “We have had enough heartache in this family today without making it worse. Don’t dishonor your brother by arguing over his choices. What’s done is done.” His breath was labored. “We’ve got a funeral to plan.”

“What do you mean a funeral?” Hollis asked. “Uncle Tommy is going to be okay, right?”

Ezra and James were looking around too, suddenly worried.

My stomach sank. “No,” I said, despondent. I was a horrible human being.

The boys began to tear up, and Travis kneeled in front of them. “Uncle Tommy was in an accident.”

Hollis’s cheeks flushed red. “I know, but … he’s in the hospital.”

“He was. Now, we’re going to have a funeral for him so we can say goodbye.” Travis choked on the last words, cupped Hollis’s shoulders, and looked away. He felt like a monster. So did I.

Hollis hugged his father, and then everyone began hugging. Camille tried to hug Trenton, but he gently raised his hand, letting her know he needed a minute.

“These Carlisis,” Trenton said. “They’re the ones we’re hiding from?”

“Not anymore,” I said. “We just received word the last of them left town during the night.”

“Why?” Trenton asked. He was getting angrier.

“Because they’ve gotten word that I’ve decided against pursuing this case. Abby’s father was in protective custody before the trial of some of their higher ups, but he’s gone missing. The Bureau no longer has a case against them.”

“You’re no longer involved in the case?” Camille asked. “You’re going to let them get away with it?”

I swallowed, trying hard not to feel defensive. “I’m a widow with a newborn. I have to concentrate on Stella.”

Camille covered her mouth with both hands, and Trenton broke down. Soon, everyone in the room was sobbing, even the children.

Travis hugged his twins. “Let’s go see your mom.” He guided them out of the room, leaving me alone with his family. I watched him with my mouth open, pleading with my eyes for him to stay. He wiped his eyes. “I’ll be back.”

I rocked Stella. She was already content and asleep, but I was really just comforting myself.

“This is bullshit,” Trenton cried. “It’s fucking bullshit!” he yelled.

Camille hugged him, but then he slipped away from her grasp, wiping his eyes and staring at the floor. I watched the Maddoxes hit every state of grief within minutes and more than once.

“Liis,” Ellie said, kneeling in front of me.

I shook my head, letting her know that, although appreciated, I wasn’t receptive to sympathy. I didn’t deserve it, and that would just be another item on the list to hate me for later.

Travis returned. Jessica and James snuggled with their Uncle Trenton. “She’s finally sleeping,” he said. “When she wakes up, I’m going to take her to see Carter. Agent Davies, Wren, and Blevins will escort you home.”

“So that’s it?” Trenton asked. “We’re free to go?”

“You’re free to go,” Travis said.

“I’ll get Dad,” Camille said. She seemed in a daze, unable to process the last twenty-four hours.

I could see that Trenton wanted to spit an insult at his brother, but he remembered Travis’s twins were on each side of him. He kissed Jessica and James on the forehead and then stood, gesturing for Olive to come with him.

“Shep,” Travis began.

“Yes. We’ll take the twins,” he said without hesitation.

“Thanks,” Travis said.

Shepley nodded, helping America herd the kids and fold blankets. After Trenton had left with Jim, Camille, and Olive, Shepley and America followed with their boys, Jessica and James, and Jack and Deana. One by one, our numbers dwindled, and then it was just Travis and me with Stella and our protection detail.

Travis watched the last of his family leave and then rubbed his face with one hand. “Fucking hell, that was awful.” He retreated into the waiting room and sat, leaning back against the cushions of the couch and lacing his fingers behind his neck.

“Well,” Val said, joining him. “The worst of it is over.”

“No, it’s not over,” Travis snapped. “The worst is looking them in the face and telling them I lied … again. Trenton’s definitely going to take a swing, and I’m going to let him do it.”

“I’m hoping they’ll be so happy that they’ll forget what we’ve done. Otherwise, they’ll never speak to us again,” I said.

“Yeah, they will,” Travis said.

I craned my neck at him. “Would you?”

He looked down and frowned. “I don’t know what I’d do.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

FALYN

AS SOON AS WE ARRIVED AT JIM’S, we all showered and changed, and then reconvened back downstairs. My phone had been buzzing for the last hour, but I already knew who it was. Peter Lacy had received his first response from me that morning, telling him if he didn’t stop contacting me, I would file a complaint with the Estes Park Police Department. Somehow, that only entertained him more.

Taylor and Tyler were in a daze, sitting at the dining room table staring at their clasped hands. I put my phone on silent and shoved it in my back pocket. I didn’t want to turn it off in case Travis and Abby or Liis needed anything, but a part of me seriously weighed that against the possibility of Taylor discovering Peter was still trying to contact me. In his current state of mind, I didn’t know how he would react. I definitely didn’t want a scene in front of Alyssa.