Familiar eyes meet mine.
But they’re not that of my father. Instead, the woman who stares at us looks like she’s been expecting a visit.
Hilary Durand.
“If you’re looking for your father, he isn’t here,” she tells me. Her focus on me is piercing, cold, and wary.
“Where is he? There are questions that need answering, and he’s the only one who can tell me the truth.”
She doesn’t move, and I wonder if he’s inside somewhere, hiding from me. Perhaps he is. Maybe he’s not as strong as he seems and he’s afraid of a little girl. But then again, I’m no longer a scared child.
“He’s gone. There’s nothing for you here, Rukaiya.” Her hate for me is clear, the words volatile in their delivery. “Where is my son?”
“Where is my father?” I cross my arms over my chest. We’re at an impasse, and I’m not leaving until she gives me the answers I need.
“Ah, the new girl trying to be strong,” Mrs. Durand grins and rises. She saunters toward us. She’s dressed in an exquisite pants suit, but it’s the dark circles under her eyes that give her away. She’s not doing so well.
“Where is Thane Calvert?”
“If Tarian wants to see him, I’ll give him the information, but you dear, won’t ever get to speak to your father again. He’s done. So, either you can walk away, or you can stand here all night. I don’t care.” Hilary goes to walk by me, and that’s when the three men who’ve got my back push forward.
“This is ending here and now, Mother.” Etienne’s voice spits the word with violent intent, and his strength cocoons me. Hilary’s eyes are on her son, wide and wary. “Where is he?”
She opens her mouth, then shuts it. I’m tired of the games, all I want are fucking answers.
“He and Yasmine left. They’re not coming back to Tynewood.” Her words are ice to my heated skin, and a shiver races down my spine. “They haven’t told me where they’re going.” She doesn’t lock eyes with anyone, and I can tell she’s lying. She does know where they are.
“You’re a fucking liar. Always have been. My mother wouldn’t leave without saying anything to me.” Tarian’s harsh words has her flinching, but he doesn’t stop. “You can give him a message from me: I’ll find him. And when I do, he better be ready because I’ll end him.”
Hilary looks over at me again. “He’s not the perfect father, but he won’t harm you. I don’t approve of you, come to think of it, I think you’re a little whore who needs to be killed, but I respect my friend’s decision to leave you be.”
“That’s a joke, right?” My voice is scratchy, and I silently admonish myself for allowing emotion into my words. “You’re not doing me any favors because if you come near me, I’ll fucking kill you.” Anger spills over when I step closer to her. “You tell Thane something for me, too; if he ever steps foot back in Tynewood, I’ll be the one to end him.”
Tears fill her eyes, and fear sparkles in those shimmering pools. “He knows.” I have a feeling that he does know, and he won’t be returning. But I also know that Tarian is going after him. I can feel the vengeance radiating beside me.
“This isn’t over,” Tarian vows as he spins on his heel. Before he walks out the door, he stops, glances over his shoulder as he looks at Hilary. “This is our town now. I want you gone.”
“Don’t you ever show your face here again,” Etienne says, his violent glare pinned on his mother. “The house, the money, everything is mine. You can beg for scraps from your friend.”
“You can’t be serious,” Hilary scoffs, gulping down the white wine she’s been holding onto as if it were her lifesaver.
“Oh, I don’t joke about this,” Etienne tells her. “Like Tarian said… Tynewood is ours.” He laces his fingers through mine, and we turn to leave. I can feel eyes on my back, boring into me, but I don’t turn around. I don’t look back.
It’s over.
Only, I know it’s not.
Epilogue
Etienne
Six months later
The candlelight dances across the walls, and the shadows make everything seem ominous. But as I watch Rukaiya get her ink, I’ve never been more excited about the future.
We may not have gotten Thane, but I know Tarian will find him. When one of my best friends told me that he was leaving to find himself, I knew what that meant. It took all I have to keep my girl from following suit. But since school started, and she’s back in classes, she’s been focused on getting her degree.
For now, the threats are gone, but I know it won’t last long. I wouldn’t mind having my friend back; I miss Tarian and his cocky comments. He needed the space, and I know he’ll find it, but not having him here is like losing a part of myself.