Tacet a Mortuis (The Elite King's Club 3)

“Are none of your business.”

“Really?” My lip curled. “Pretty sure you made it my business the second you were screaming my name and clawing up my back.”

I fought the smirk that was possessing my mouth and leaned back farther into my chair. Just thinking about that night was making my dick hard all over again.

My karma may be a bitch, but damn the bitch is beautiful.

“I’ve felt loss. I’ve suffered and lived through what felt like my heart being ripped from my chest. Death was a brutal thing. Its behavior could be unrestrainedly ferocious, and at times, radiated toward the people who didn’t deserve to be at the receiving end of its wrath. It tore your heart into two by taking your loved one and replacing them with nothing but the sweet whispers of their memories. Those memories will become the shoulders you cry on.”

– Amo Jones

(on losing the most important father in her life)

The trip back to my house felt long, and the hours felt as though they stretched into days. By the time we reached my driveway, I was tired again, my eyes struggling to stay awake through all the trauma. Bishop’s arm never left me, and I snuggled into him deeper, burying my face into his chest. He leaned down and kissed me as the car came to a stop.

“Come on.”

Finally, my mouth opened and words left me. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” He searched my eyes. “You’re going to get through this.”

I nodded, even though I didn’t believe a damn thing he said.

“Oh, um.” My eyes flew to Nate, who was taking off his seatbelt. “We’re having a meeting today, with Tillie.”

Nate softened, his hard features instantly changing. “Why?” he whispered.

“She wants to leave.”

“Like fuck!” he roared. I winced from the sudden lash out.

“Nate!” Bishop scolded him.

“Sorry, sis, but she can’t leave. I’ll k—” He paused, his eyes going to Bishop and then changed his tactic. “Too soon. She just can’t leave with my kid.”

“She won’t, but that’s what we need this meeting for.” I waited for Bishop to get out of the car then slipped out behind him. “And then, I’m going to plan my brother’s funeral.”

A second car pulled up behind us with Jase, Hunter, Eli, Chase, and Brantley inside, and then another behind theirs with Spyder, Ollie, Tate, and someone else I didn’t care to recognize. Tate tried to come with us, but Nate kicked her out.

I left everyone behind and went to the front door, pushing it open. “Tillie?” I called out, but my voice was weak. It physically hurt to speak, and the sooner this day was over, the better. Bishop, Nate, and Jase walked in behind with the rest of the gang. I headed to the sitting room.

I looked at Elena. “Where’s Tillie?”

I didn’t want a shower. I wanted to stay as I was, with the last bit of Daemon left on my skin, so when Elena’s eyes went to my hands, she flinched.

“Daemon,” I whispered, my throat swollen.

“And Katsia,” Nate added, climbing onto the couch with his mom.

That’s when I heard Nate ask, “What’s wrong?”

My eyes swung back to Elena, who met mine. “I’m sorry about your loss, sweetheart. I know how much Daemon meant to you,” she paused. I winced, tears pooling again. She stood, wiped her pants and squared her shoulders, putting on a fake smile, even though tears were threatening the corner of her eyes.

Her eyes went to Nate. “She’s gone.”

“What!” Nate flew off his chair. My throat swelled, my eyes closing. “When?”

I shook my head. “She wouldn’t leave, Elena. She was happy that Micaela had her dad.”

“Stop defending her, sis, not everyone has the same thought process as you.”

Elena’s eyes came to mine. “No, she’s right. Something doesn’t feel right, Nate. I took her and the baby to register Micaela. I dropped them at the front and told them I’d be right back after finding a parking spot. Tillie wasn’t erratic. She left the diaper bag in the car and asked me to bring it in with me because her hands were full with the papers and documents she needed.” She paused. “I just got home. I spent hours there trying to find them. I demanded to look at CCTV footage but without a warrant, they can’t show me anything.” Her eyes came to me. “Something is not right, Madison.”

“And if she has run?” Hunter asked, coming closer to me. Jase followed him when suddenly, I had my two brothers behind me, Bishop beside me, Tate coming up closely, and Nate sitting directly in front of me. I exhaled a shaky breath. “First, I want to bury my brother” —I paused, my head tilting over my shoulder to Jase and Hunter— “our brother.” Then I looked at Nate. “Then we can get her back.”

His knee jiggled. “We better bury him tomorrow, then, sis, because if she’s missing, that means my kid could be in danger.”