Chapter 3 – Silas
CHAPTER THREE
SILAS
“Where is Morbius?” Prez asks as he walks over and drops into the seat beside me at the table.
I shake my head slowly before looking up at my President, my friend, my brother, not by blood but forged in something stronger. Lucian. “I don’t know,” I mutter.
Lying.
Lucian sees straight through me. He tuts and shakes his head. “You can’t keep covering for him, tidying up his fucking mess.”
“I know. I know.” I sigh, leaning on my elbows, fingers threading through my dark hair. “He’s my brother. I can’t turn my back on him.”
Lucian’s amber gaze pins me in place. “Brothers, blood or not, there’s only so much you can do for him. He’s getting into something dark. Something you can’t pull him out of.”
“I tried to follow him, tried to see where he keeps disappearing to, but the fucker outruns me every time. He knows I’ve been trailing him.” I pinch the bridge of my nose and exhale a slow, frustrated breath. “I promised him. I swore I’d always look out for him.”
“He’s breaking the rules of the club. Our coven. I can’t take it easy on him, no matter what your promise might be. You’ve tried. The club’s tried. You can’t save someone who doesn’t want saving.” Lucian’s tone is a low warning.
Morbius’s time in the club is running out. If I can’t make him see sense, I’ll have to choose: my club—my brothers by bond—or my brother by blood.
I nod. “When’s the decision being made?” I know a vote will decide Morbius’s future. If they vote him out, he pays the price for leaving, for betraying the club.
“Tomorrow.” Lucian’s jaw hardens. “And I’ll warn you; they’re pissed. They want to end his existence.”
“That seems extreme for him to disappear for a few days at a time. We don’t even know what he’s doing,” I argue.
“Clutch nearly fucking died because of his absence. We may not know what he’s involved in, but his mere absence and unpredictability are a danger to the club.
To us. I’m sorry. I know he’s your brother, but it has to stop one way or another.
” He stands, then pauses, glancing back at me.
“I’ll lose your asshole brother, but I won’t fucking lose you.
Don’t sacrifice yourself for him. I may not be blood, but you’re my brother, and there’s a reason you’re my VP.
Think clearly. Be smart. Don’t let him guilt you. ”
He walks away, his words cutting through me like a blade to the heart.
I lean on my elbows, head in my hand, mind warring with the decision. Do I stand by my brother, or by my club? By Lucian, who’s been more of a brother to me than Morbius ever has?
My cell pings with a message from Lilith.
L: Have you heard from Morbius? He was supposed to pick me up an hour ago for New Year’s Eve.
Anger flares. My brother doesn’t deserve her.
S: Emergency came up at the club. I know of a party happening. Let me pick you up, and when Morbius is finished, he can meet us there.
I lie. Covering for him. Again.
My cell pings.
L: Sure, better than being stuck waiting for him.
“You ready?” Clutch asks, coming over.
I stand and slide my phone into my pocket. “Yeah. I’m picking Lilith up on the way. Morbius hasn’t shown up. Again.”
Anger rolls off Clutch. “He’s your brother, so I say this with respect; the minimum of fucking respect.” He pauses, rolling the toothpick between his teeth. “I see him, I’ll end him. He’s a liability to you and to the club.”
“He’s still learning. He’s a prospect,” I say, even though I don’t believe it.
Clutch smirks and shakes his head. “Brother,” he says with a warning edge.
“You’ve been part of this club for centuries.
He’s been prospecting for, what, twenty years?
Your brother’s loyal to fucking no one. Not even you.
He’s selfish, and he’ll destroy anyone or anything that gets in the way of where he wants to be.
Don’t kid yourself that just because you share blood, he’d ever go out of his way to save you. To help you.”
I give a brief, reluctant nod. He’s right. Deep down, I know it.
“Now I’ve said my piece, let’s go to this rock ’n’ roll show.” He grins.
A slow smile breaks over my face.
“You’re in for a world of disappointment if you think this is a rock and roll show,” Viktor says, shrugging on his leather cut.
“Hex said it was rock,” Clutch shrugs.
“Clutch, it’s 1999. Not 1949,” I remind him.
He flicks away the toothpick and replaces it with a cigarette. He lights it, smirking. “There’s only one rock ’n’ roll, and that’s the correct one. No one can beat the King. Huh-huh.” He gyrates his hips.
“If I have to see that again, I’ll lock you out to perish in the sun,” Lucian mutters. “Everyone ready to ride?”
“Yeah. Talon, Hex, Shade, Marko, Diesel, and Echo are outside waiting,” Viktor says as he heads out.
We follow. Engines roar to life, the sound vibrating through the night.
“I need to swing by Lilith’s and pick her up,” I tell Lucian.
He nods as he straddles his bike and starts it.
We ride through town, people stopping and staring as we pass, fear etched into their faces.
We pull up outside Lilith’s family bar. I kill the engine, climb off, and text her.
S: Outside.
The door opens, and Lilith steps out. Her eyes widen at the sight of the club. “You didn’t say the club would be here too,” she whispers, shifting nervously.
I take her hand and lead her to my bike. “They won’t bite,” I murmur, smirking.
I swing onto the bike and pat the space behind me.
She rolls her eyes and climbs on. “Thank God I decided to wear my jeans,” she mutters.
I rev the engine. She gasps, arms snapping around my waist, her soft body pressing into my back. I reach down and give her thigh a gentle squeeze.
“Don’t let go,” I shout over my shoulder, then open the throttle. Her scream cuts through the night as we shoot forward. A grin stretches across my face as I push the bike faster, Lucian ahead of me doing the same. Cold wind whips around us, making her shiver.
The ride isn’t long. We turn down a side road, live music echoing from up ahead, colored lights flickering against the sky.
We park. Lilith climbs off, cheeks flushed pink from the cold. She shivers, and I wrap an arm around her, drawing her in. She looks up at me, eyes bright with excitement. I can’t help but smile back.
“That was the most exciting, most terrifying fucking thing I’ve ever done,” she breathes.
“Stick with us, darlin’, and we’ll always give you an exhilarating ride,” Clutch says with a wink as he passes.
The crowd swallows us as people move toward the New Year’s Eve festival entrance. I take Lilith’s hand, so I don’t lose her.
“Damn, I should’ve eaten,” Talon mutters, tipping his head back and inhaling the human scent thick in the air.
“Go. Eat,” Lucian orders.
Lilith glances between them, confused.
“He gets really moody if he doesn’t eat,” I lie.
She gives me a tight little smile and nods.
I pay for our tickets, ignoring her protests. Up ahead, a cover band is playing Blink-182 on a big stage. Lilith drops my hand and starts dancing on the spot, her smile wide, the lights catching the green flecks in her eyes.
“Come on,” she laughs, bouncing in place.
I shove my hands in my pockets and watch her, soaking in the sight of her carefree joy, the rhythm of her heart kicking up as she moves.
“The code,” Lucian says quietly at my shoulder.
I shoot him a sideways glance. “I know the code,” I snap, hating it. “She’s with Morbius. I’m just looking out for her.”
Lucian smirks, amber eyes glinting with amusement. “Is that why you’re looking at her with longing? Why do you find any excuse to touch her? Why do you still wear the chain she got you?” He gestures toward my chest, to the chain tucked beneath my black T-shirt.
I glare at him. “She’s nothing more than a friend. I care for her, that’s all.”
Lucian shakes his head. “Dangerous game. Fuck her if you want; just keep that undead heart of yours out of it.” His warning comes out as a low growl.
Limp Bizkit’s “Nookie” kicks in. I nod my head to the beat. Lilith notices and dances her way back toward me.
“So this is your moves?” she says, mocking, gesturing at my stiff nodding.
I fold my arms across my chest. “You better believe it,” I say, fighting a smirk.
Her grin widens. “Wow, no wonder you’re single.”
“Low blow,” I reply, feigning hurt.
She throws her head back and laughs.
My chest aches. The want I have for her is becoming too much to bear.
“I’m sorry,” she giggles, jumping up to kiss my cheek.
I shift, and her mouth lands on mine instead.
My hands rise, cupping her face as I kiss her. For a second, I swear she leans into it. Then it’s gone. She jerks back, shock in her eyes.
“Silas,” she whispers. “I’m with your brother.”
My restraint snaps.
I move fast, taking her arm and guiding her toward a quieter corner.
“I know he’s an asshole, and he doesn’t deserve you,” I grind out.
She frowns. “How can you say that about your own brother—”
I catch her chin in my hand, firm but careful, forcing her to meet my gaze. The music blurs into background noise.
“Because that’s what he is. And if you stay with him, he’s going to hurt you. Where is he right now? Where was he at Christmas? You’re better than that. You deserve better than him.”
She shoves my hand away and steps back. “He said you would do this.”
I scowl. “He said I’d do what?”
“He said you always want what he has. That you get jealous. I defended you. I told him you want to be like your brother. That you’re lonely.”
I love my brother, I remind myself. I love my brother.
“He’ll fuck you over like he does everyone else,” I snarl. “He’ll discard you like you’re nothing but shit on his shoe. You’re just an easy lay to him, something to scratch an itch. Even then, you couldn’t truly satisfy him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s balls deep in some other whore right now.”
Tears fill her eyes. Her jaw locks tight. “And you think he’s the asshole,” she says, every word dripping with hurt and rage.
She spins and storms off.
“Shit.”
I rake my fingers through my hair, gripping hard. “Fuck!” I roar. “Lilith, wait!” I shout after her.
“Fuck off and leave me the hell alone!” She throws over her shoulder as she heads for the exit.
I force my way through the crowd, shoving people aside, eyes locked on her.
I stumble to a stop.
Morbius is already there, approaching her with a mask of concern. He pulls her into his arms; violet eyes locked on mine. A slow, cruel grin stretches across his face.
My fists clench as I watch my brother take her mouth, watch her melt into him.
Not me.
I turn away and walk back into the festival.
“Let her go,” Lucian says, appearing at my side and handing me a drink.
I know I should. But something gnaws at my gut, calling me.
“He’s going to hurt her,” I grit out, shoving the drink back at him. “I can’t let this lie.”