Exodus (The Ravenhood)

“I don’t know that. He probably won’t bother. He’s refused me at every turn. All I want is a conversation, and he won’t even give me that.”

“You being here is dangerous, Cee.”

“My father is dead,” I whisper quietly. “It’s all over. I’ve signed over the company, and I’m here to tie up loose ends. Have another.” I pour and push the drink toward him.

He smirks and accepts the whiskey. “Despite the growing population, this is still a small town. Your return is big news. You have a few people nervous.”

“I’ve kept my mouth shut, and you damn well know it. I’m not here to spill hood secrets. I’m here to get answers.”

“I know that, and you know that, but prying eyes don’t know that.” He lifts his chin, and I see a few of the men scattered around the bar eyeing us both. I meet their curious gazes one by one, unflinching and bring my eyes back to Tyler.

“Oh, I’m aware. I just had a run-in with Mrs. Roberts.”

He winces.

“Yeah,” I say, sipping straight from the bottle. “It went a lot like that.”

“And so you’re here because?”

“A drink?”

He lifts a brow.

“Fine,” I say, tossing more whiskey back. “Maybe I’m here to pick a fight.”

“Cecelia, he’s changed.”

“We all have.”

He slowly rotates his tumbler on the table. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t happy to see you. But this won’t end well.”

“Damnit,” I say, slamming the bottle down. “Fuck him. Okay? He’s not the only one who lost. Don’t you think I deserve answers?”

“You know better than to look for those.”

“Why? Why does he get to be the one to decide?”

“You know why.”

“I’m staying put.”

He eyes me with concern. “Can I help?”

I shake my head adamantly. “I deserve them from him. He’s the one who condemned me to hell.” I can hear the anger in my tone. “He owes me, and I’m not leaving without answers.” I swallow and shake my head. “I miss them,” I say, lifting another shot to my lips. “Being here has made me sentimental, and I’m well aware I’m not wanted, but the day you put me in my Jeep…” our exchange reflects the pain of the memory. “You’re in the know, but you can’t imagine how being in the dark feels after all this time.”

Pure guilt shines in his eyes. “Things got too fucked up. We didn’t want it falling back on you.”

“Don’t think for one minute I’m not grateful. You saved my life. Dominic…” I choke on his name. “But it doesn’t change the fact that I deserve answers.”

“I guess I can’t argue with you,” he sighs. “But some things are better left in the past.”

He lowers his gaze briefly as he continues to rotate his glass.

“I was sorry to hear about Delphine.”

He sobers considerably before he pulls the bottle out of my hand and refills his tumbler. “You gave me a gift when you brought me to her house that day.”

I just wanted to thank you.