When The Grave Calls (The Veil Diaries #9) - B.L. Brunnemer Page 0,59

having it at the funeral home,” I answered. “Was that okay?”

Miles nodded before turning to look out the window again. His hand tightened on mine.

What did you say at a time like this? I didn’t know, so I simply squeezed his hand gently.

When we arrived there was already a crowd on the front steps. Miles instantly began to tap his fingers against his leg.

“Driver? Could you please pull around the back?” I asked.

“Sure,” he answered as he drove past the crowd.

“I didn’t realize there would be so many people,” I said. I mean, I sent out the invites and all, but I never expected this many.

Miles sighed. “He had a multi-billion-dollar corporation. Of course all the heads would make an appearance. Social events like this are good for business.” His voice was laced with bitterness.

“Luckily we’re not doing a wake after this.” I had seriously misjudged the crowd.

The car stopped.

After filing out of the limo, we made our way through the back door and into a small room occupied by the minister and an older woman.

Asher moved towards him. “We’re sorry to intrude. This is Miles Huntington, his father’s funeral is today, and the front of the building was a bit overwhelming.”

The minister’s face softened with understanding. “Of course. You’re not the first person seeking a respite from the crowd today.”

The woman turned to us, her mouth dropping open. “Miles?”

Miles’ entire body went rigid, the shock of whoever this was rolling off him in waves as his hand crushed mine. “Mother?”

“Holy shit,” Zeke muttered.

“Fuck me …” Isaac breathed.

Miles’ mother had a sweet oval face and large brown eyes. She went to him and pulled his tense body into her arms. “I’m so sorry I haven’t been here.” She pulled back to look at his face, tears streaming down her cheeks, smudging her eyeliner.

The minister slipped out the door.

“I thought you were dead.” Miles shook his head, his jaw flexing.

“I know.” She wiped her face. “I wanted to call every day.”

“Then why didn’t you? You couldn’t have let me know you were alive?” Miles’ voice grew colder.

I wrapped my other hand around Miles’ bicep.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Miles.” She shook her head as more tears fell. “I only wanted to keep you safe.”

He scoffed. “Safe? Here, alone? Thinking you abandoned me or wondering if you had died?”

She shook her head, regret etched across her face. “It was the only way.”

“So, you were just hiding out somewhere?” Asher asked, gaping at her. Hell, we all were. I think we all assumed she was dead.

She nodded, never taking her eyes off Miles. “Your father decided to clean up his businesses. He warned me what he was about to do would anger a lot of people, so I ran.”

And left Miles. My lip curled in disgust at her selfishness. This wasn’t about me. It was about Miles. I was here for him.

Miles turned to me, eyes filled with sadness and longing. I cupped his cheek to reassure him that he wasn’t alone. Not anymore. He turned back to his mother, squaring his shoulders with his head held high. “You need to leave, Mom.”

She frowned. “What?”

“I can’t explain, but the situation in town isn’t good. You need to leave. Now,” Miles stated.

She shook her head. “I’m not going any—”

“Mother, this is for your own good. Please?” Miles all but pleaded.

Emotions warred across her face until she eventually nodded. “Come with me?”

He shook his head. “I can’t.”

I reached out and took his hand again. “Yeah, you can, Miles.”

His head snapped around. He scowled at me. “I won’t leave you here.”

“Who is this?” his mother asked, her gaze going over me for the first time. I lifted my chin as she continued her assessment of me.

Miles’ hand squeezed mine. “Mother, this is my girlfriend Lexie. Lexie, this is Deborah.”

I met her gaze. “Nice to finally meet you.”

She blinked at me in an oddly Miles-like way. “You too.” She turned back to Miles. “But leaving?”

“Just trust me,” Miles stated. “Leave before anyone sees you.”

She swallowed hard and nodded. “I’ll call you when I land. I expect a full explanation.”

I barely bit back the urge to ask where hers was. She looked over Miles one more time before walking out the back door.

Miles let out a deep breath, his shoulders sagging in what looked like relief. “She’s alive.”

“I didn’t expect that,” Zeke muttered.

“I know.” Facing him, I held Miles’ hand with both of mine. Zeke put his hand on Miles’ shoulder. Asher pressed against Miles’ other side. Isaac