Seeking Salvation: A Shadow Elite Novel

Epilogue

As they madetheir way to Mitch’s home with Tyrique in tow, Titan felt a strange mix of apprehension and anticipation. Meeting Mitch and his family was a big step for him, a step towards leaving his past behind and embracing a new beginning. The weight of Devon’s absence still lingered but, for the first time in a long while, Titan felt a glimmer of hope stirring within him. He had a son he adored and a woman by his side who filled all the empty spaces he hadn’t known existed.

Nico and the other two men had died during Bás’ interrogation but they’d managed to get some valuable information out of them regarding the people they were working with, and now Watchdog was working on that.

His friend doted on Tyrique and made sure he stopped by every day to see him, even though he didn’t interact much with anyone anymore. It was as if he needed to see for himself that Tyrique was okay. To say they were all worried about him was a huge understatement but the more they tried to reach him, the deeper he fell. So it was Tyrique that kept Watchdog floating among the living for now, until his friend reached out for a lifeline and then, like they’d been with him, they’d all be there to help Watchdog from the dark and into the light.

When they arrived at Mitch’s doorstep, they were greeted with warm smiles and open arms. Mitch’s wife, Autumn, welcomed them in with little Maggie clinging to her leg, baby Devon in her arms, her eyes wide with curiosity and welcome. Titan couldn’t help but feel a surge of affection towards the little girl who looked up at him with a smile, her innocence a stark contrast to the darkness he’d carried for so long. He turned his gaze to Devon, his brother’s namesake, and his chest felt tight as he wondered, not for the first time, what his brother would make of his life now.

“Come in. Don’t stand on ceremony.” Autumn waved them inside before she turned to look at Maya, who was nestled into the curve of his body, his arm around her as he looked at her as she held his son in her arms.

“Maya, I love your hair. You must tell me what treatments you use.”

As Autumn dragged Maya through to the sunny, open-plan kitchen area, Titan watched on with a mixture of amusement and fondness.

Mitch clapped Titan on the shoulder, a knowing look in his eyes as he gestured for Titan to follow him into the living room.

Settling into the comfortable sofa, Titan felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. Mitch had been a solid presence in Titan’s life since he was little and losing that for years had been painful. Yet, it had made him grow and led him here to this moment and, as he looked at the woman he loved with the son he adored in her arms, he knew he wouldn’t change a thing.

As they chatted about inconsequential things—the weather, local news, the latest football scores—Titan found himself relaxing in a way he hadn’t thought possible. Mitch’s easy-going nature was contagious, and soon Titan was laughing along with his friend as they shared stories from their pasts. The afternoon was just what he’d needed to put a solid period on the past.

Looking at Maggie as she chattered happily at Tyrique in his carrier out in the garden and bossed Devon like a little drill sergeant, the two mothers watching on with a smile, he felt a lump stick in his throat. This was what happiness felt like.

Feeling Mitch beside him, he turned slightly and took the beer his old friend offered. Standing side by side, they watched the women they loved becoming friends and it felt like a loop was being closed. Everything was coming full circle and he couldn’t believe how lucky he was.

“You did good, Linton.”

Titan sucked in a breath, hearing the name after so long it felt alien now. He’d shed that part of himself, the name filled with shame but, for a second, hearing it from Mitch again, it felt like his brother was here with him.

“She’s the best thing that ever happened to me, and Tyrique is the very best part of me.”

Mitch nodded, his own eyes on the woman he loved. “Yeah, I get that.”

“I’m sorry, Mitch. For blaming you, for putting you and your family through hell. I… I know I can never make right what I did, but I need you to know that not a day goes by that I don’t regret what I did.”

Mitch shook his head. “It’s done. How about we close that chapter and move on to the next?” Mitch looked at Autumn, and Titan followed his gaze, looking at his son, Devon.

“He’d be proud of the man you’ve become.”

Titan swallowed hard, emotion clogging his throat. “I miss him,” he admitted.

“Me too, brother, but I honestly believe it was meant to be this way. Devon’s star shone bright and hot and left a lasting glimmer on our lives. Out of all the shit that happened, we ended up here with two women who are way too good for us and children who’ll give us the future we never thought we would get.”

“What’s with the sombre faces?” Maya asked, as she slipped under his arm and cuddled against him.

He’d never thought he was a cuddler or needy but, when she was close, he couldn’t go more than a minute without needing his hands on her in some way. He craved her like a drug, only this drug didn’t ruin lives, it was the sweetest ecstasy he could ever imagine.

“Not sombre, just reflective.”

Autumn and Mitch walked away to play with the kids on the ground and Titan felt a lightness in his heart, all down to this woman beside him. “I love you, Maya.”

Her head tipped back and all her love for him shone in her eyes. “I love you.”

“Will you marry me?”

A smile that rivalled the sun lit her face and she nodded gently. “Yeah, I’ll marry you, Ti.”

He kissed her softly, marvelling at how lucky he was and thanking all the stars in the sky for sending her to him.

Or maybe it was just one single star that had sent her, one named Devon.