Malum: Part 1 (The Elite King's Club 4)

“Come on,” Madison whines. “Just come, it’s going to be fun!”

I shake my head. “Even if I didn’t have her, I still wouldn’t. I just need a rest day. Next weekend, I’m all in. I’ve just got a lot to sort out.”

“Suit ya self,” Madison says, taking a sip of her wine.

“I’ll probably be there with Spyder…”

I choke on my drink, my hand flying up to stop it from spilling. “Oh, okay?”

Tate sighs, throwing her napkin on the table. I cradle Micaela in my arms and shake her bottle before giving it back to her.

“Spill.”

We all eat and laugh as Tate goes through what’s been happening with Spyder. He seems really into her, and she him. Not sure why Tate is being all shy. The girl is never shy.

After dinner, we drive home, buggered from the day. I park the wagon thing out front and say goodbye to the girls as they head off to get ready for their night. They tried to get me to agree to let them pre-game in the pool house, but there was no way. I could probably sleep into tomorrow and I’m exhausted from today.

I carry Micaela inside and shut the door, heading straight for the bathroom to give her a quick bath. There’s a large tub in here, bulky enough for probably three people. I hit the tap on, and then take my phone out of my handbag, seeing the message from Madison with the photos from today.

I go to Facebook and change my profile photo to the selfie of all of us on the teacup ride. We’re all laughing, hair flying everywhere while Micaela looks unbothered. Typical. I put my phone down just as I get a text.

Nate: Whts up with these photos.

What do you mean?

He doesn’t reply, so I carry Micaela to the bath, but then step backward. I need one too. I quickly strip once we’re in the bathroom and sink into the warm water with her in my arms. I put some bubbles into the water and lit a couple of relaxation candles, silently thanking Elena for putting them there. Music is playing from the small dock out in the lounge. My phone is going crazy, but I ignore it. I can’t be bothered and there’s no way I’m getting out. I wash her hair, massaging the sweet lavender shampoo into her hair. Once we’re both done, I climb out, taking her with me and quickly wrap a towel around both of us. I dress her first, my hair in a messy top knot. I puff talcum powder on her and then do up her diaper. She’s smiling up at me again, but her eyelids are heavy. She must be so tired.

The door swings open and I jump. “Shit!” Nate is standing there, his eyes going to her and then coming back to me.

“Goddammit, Tillie. Don’t ignore me when I text you.”

“I was taking a bath with her!” I snap back, forgetting that I’m standing here in a towel.

His eyes drop to my body and then go to Micaela again.

I wave my hand. “Can you close the door? It’s cold out.” I pick up my phone and read the text he had sent after.

Nate: I want a motherfucking family day.

He kicks it closed and then comes closer, taking off his leather jacket and cap. Instantly he eats up every single space with his presence. All he has to do is yank the towel off me and I’d be naked. I wouldn’t put it past him either.

“Ah, what do you think you’re doing? Don’t get comfortable, Nate.”

He glares at me and then picks Micaela up. “I’ve missed her.”

I don’t have the heart to tell him to leave, so I take this time to grab a long t-shirt that cuts off around my upper thighs and some panties. I get changed quickly in the bathroom, letting my hair out to brush it.

“Are you going now?” I don’t mean to be hostile, but I got the feeling today that he didn’t want to be seeing me as much.

“Yeah,” Nate says, giving her back to me. I place her down in her crib, switching the main lights off and leaving the light from the TV as a night light. “Come outside so we can talk.”

“Again,” I whine. “I don’t have the energy, Nate.”

His jaw clenches. “Now.”

For fuck’s sake. I patter behind him, closing the door once we’re outside. It’s fucking cold, so I’m hoping he knows what he wants to say and spits it out in fast time.

I run my hands over my arms and take a seat on the step. He drops down beside me, putting his cap on backward and slipping back into his leather jacket.

I lick my lips. I need to stop watching him with fascination. “What is it, Nate?”

“There’s some shit that we need to discuss, shit that you might not want to talk about right now. But have you had any strange calls?”