Page 15 of Beyond the Stix

“And Callum’s mom?”

“Oblivious.”

“Not everyone can see the truth when it’s told to them. Sometimes, they have to see it for themselves,” I confess, hoping to convey the truth about my blooming feelings for Connor. I do care and I’m there for him, even though I don’t verbally express it.

“I guess.” He blows out a breath and stares out the window, cutting off the conversation.

There’s nothing I can say at this point to ease Connor’s burden. His mind is on the mortality of his father. Markus Wild is going to die tomorrow. I also know damn well Jessup might show up to be by his brother’s bedside, and I can’t do anything to stop either event from happening.

Then a dreadful thought pops into my head, as I imagine the logistical nightmare for the funeral. Between the paparazzi and the attending mourners, Tobias and the team will need to be extra-vigilant to make sure the band is covered.

All my focus will be on the drummer. There’s no doubt that Connor will eventually break down. When, is the question. But once he does, I’ll be there to catch him before he hits rock bottom.

Five minutes from Callum’s parents’ home, Connor’s mother calls.

He quickly taps the screen and picks up the call. “Mom.”

“Get to the hospital, Con,” she sobs.

“I’m on my way.” Connor’s voice hitches as he looks at me.

Without having to be told, I turn the BMW and head straight to the hospital. I even blow through a couple of lights and make it there in less than twenty minutes. Even so, my gut feeling is that Markus Wild has died.

As Connor and I head to the third floor, I text Tobias, letting him know where we are and what might be happening.

Connor rushes into the room; Amanda grabs her son and hugs him tight. “He’s gone, Con.”

Fuck, I hate to be right this time, but at least now no one needs to pull the plug on Markus. He took it upon himself to pass peacefully on his own.

I keep a furtive eye on Connor, expecting to see tears flowing from his eyes, but there’s nothing. Only a pinched expression like he’s holding back a world of pain while consoling his grieving mother.

A male nurse walks in. “If you would like to step out while I remove?—”

“We’re staying,” Connor blurts out, while retaining his hold on a sobbing Amanda.

The nurse nods, and begins providing post-mortem care by taking out the breathing tube, the IVs, and removing the electrodes from the man’s body.

“I’ll give you two time with him,” the nurse says before stepping out of the room.

I head into the hallway to give them privacy. It also allows me to diligently study every approaching person—I half anticipate Jessup to arrive while Connor and his mother say their finalgoodbye. It isn’t long before the Warrior Black members, along with the rest of my security team, arrive.

The band members enter Mr. Wild’s room and say their final farewell to Connor’s dad. And still no Jessup.

I hope that fucker stays away.

To my surprise, Ron Darling approaches—along with Dean Harper, my boss and the owner of Harper Security, with two of his other security men in tow: Fig Dorran and Jordan Best.

The band manager looks haggard—his skin on the gray side, as though he’s sick. Maybe he has food poisoning, or is air sick from the flight. However, seeing Dean throws me off even more.

“Dean?” I say in question.

“Ron wanted to come. And we were just pulling up to the hospital when Tobias texted him. So we all stayed in the waiting room downstairs, expecting your arrival,” Dean explains. His right hand is resting on Ron’s back.Interesting.

I eye the same nurse from earlier approaching us. “Can you give them a few more minutes?”

The nurse nods. “I’ll make sure the paperwork is in order.” He then heads to the nursing station, where several nurses are eyeing our group.

I remain in the hall, while Ron and his entourage enter the room. Not long after, they come back out. “We’ll keep watch. Connor would like you in there,” Dean says.