Exodus

by Stewart , Kate

  I pick up the remote and hit rewind.

  “Hey, I was watching that,” Billy protests.

  “Sorry,” I whisper faintly. “Sorry, just a second. It’ll playback.”

  When I’ve gone back a few seconds with a clear view, I hit pause and cover my mouth.

  “Oh my God.” I would know that face anywhere, that hair, those eyes, and if he were smiling, that dimple.

  Tyler.

  Marissa rounds the corner, eyeing me. “Cecelia? What? What is it?”

  I drink Tyler in amongst the line of a few standing guard behind our President and scan him from head to foot, his posture tight, his eyes are drawn sharp, watchful, his face stoic. The man standing guard doesn’t much at all resemble the jokester I know and love. But it’s him. It’s Tyler.

  Tyler is guarding the President.

  I can’t even form words as everyone at the counter stares at me with odd looks. I give myself a second, and then another.

  I clear my throat and shrug. “Nothing, I swear, I thought I saw a ghost. Sorry y’all.” I hit play and barely hear Marissa. “He’s okay-looking, I guess, but he could use a tan.”

  Hand visibly trembling, I manage to set down the coffee pot, shaking in revelation.

  They’re everywhere. The banks, the stock market. All of it. It was them.

  They’ve infiltrated the fucking White House.

  I don’t know why it surprises me, but the sight of Tyler standing in such an esteemed position has me utterly astonished. Palms sweating, I try to gather my wits and fail.

  They’ve done it.

  They’re still doing it.

  And it comforts me so much. I feel safer knowing whatever agenda they have. It’s the right one. A pride-filled tear threatens, and I haul ass through the service doors to the kitchen and tuck myself in a corner near the baker’s rack.

  “You sons of bitches,” I whisper, covering my mouth, my smile widening as I shake my head and tears fall freely down my cheeks. Inside I feel hysterical.

  After a few minutes and a few deep inhales, I school my expression and walk back out into the cafe addressing Marissa.

  “The deposit is on my desk, could you possibly take it today?”

  “Sure, love, you okay?” concern covers her features.

  “Fine. I…just want to get home early and let my dog out. There’s a storm coming and he’s afraid of them.”

  “No problem. See you in the morning, sweetheart.”

  Sweetheart.

  It’s odd how that word can be used as a weapon or term of endearment. Dominic used it once or twice. But I don’t look back anymore with resentment. It’s pride I feel now when I remember my time in my parents’ life choice purgatory. It’s not the hard times I think of. It’s hiking with Sean or watching Dominic read, or sipping wine while gazing at fireflies underneath the night sky with Tobias.

  It’s love I had, and love I took with me.

  And it’s my greatest strength. It’s my true superpower.

  Feeling the rumble of thunder, I exit the café and make it halfway to my car when I feel the air still. I search the parking lot and come up empty before giving myself a second to rationalize the static is nothing but the coming storm. I bat away the part of me that wants to mourn in disappointment. I’ve done enough of that. My tears have long since dried up.

  I’m living the life I chose—day by day. No expectations, little responsibility. No ambitious quest, no fight with my conscience. Simple. Uncomplicated. A life I refuse to waste looking in the rearview. I took a monotonous role not to pay penance, but for peace of mind and the ability to think about what I want moving forward. I want to be okay with simplicity, the kind that entails honest work and aching feet. It’s humbling if anything, and for the first time, it makes sense to me. I want to smile while doing it.

  And some days—most days—I do.

  I don’t begrudge my past anymore for the future I have. It’s wide open, but for now, I’m keeping it simple until I come up with a different plan. Purse strapped over my shoulder, I take strides toward my car and climb in. Buckling in, I frown when I see the window on the passenger side is rolled down. I don’t remember leaving it that way. Thankful I missed the storm, I turn the engine over. I jump back in my seat when “K.” by Cigarettes After Sex bursts through the speakers.

  I haven’t heard it in years, not since the day I blasted it out in the woods…

  I jump out of the Camaro and do a three-sixty, scanning the parking lot.

  “Only one other has a key to this car, and it won’t ever be used.”

  No. No. No.

  The haunting melody drifts through the window of the idling car, bringing me back to a day where my life forever changed.

  Frantically, I search the parking lot again and come up empty. I did not and would not have had that song playing. I peek in to see it’s connected to Bluetooth and pull out my phone furiously, closing out my apps, but the song continues to play. It’s not my phone it’s connected to. I press my hands to the hood. Warm.

  Is this another game?

  I can’t stomach anymore.

  I laid us to rest—the past. I left. I did what he asked. What the hell is the point of this? I scan the small shopping center again, and it’s then I spot Tobias stepping out of the A & P, a grocery bag in his hands. The sight of him in dark jeans and a T-shirt is foreign but electrifying. His posture is relaxed, but his brows are drawn in concentration. I know it the minute he realizes I’m standing there, and he tenses and stops mid-step, a second before his amber eyes lift to mine.

  He rakes me from head to foot as I cross my arms and whistle.

  “Wow. Not only did you steal the car for a joyride, but you decided to go grocery shopping after? You’ve got some balls on you, and your arrogance knows no bounds.”

  I don’t miss the twitch of a smile as he approaches, and then it’s gone. I tear my eyes away, my pride only taking me so far. He’s so fucking beautiful, and in a way that snatches sanity. I can’t afford to lose an ounce more.

  “I knew you took it.”

  “It was a parting gift from Sean. And rightfully yours if you want it, but please…” I rasp out hoarsely. “Don’t take it.”

  “I get my way, no matter what. You know that, and you weren’t supposed to get off until four.”

  “Well, I took off early, and I guess I shouldn’t put it past you to snake the one possession I care about.” I duck into the Camaro and kill it, slamming the door after retrieving the key and my purse. All yours. Now I really do hate you. Are you happy?”

  “No. Not at all. You’re a waitress, who gave up millions of dollars and are living in another bum fucked town in the middle of nowhere, Virginia. You think that makes me happy?”

  “I don’t care what that makes you. I’m happy. I love this town. And I’m not penniless. I own that café and the house I’m living in. You think I’m really dumb enough to give away every cent? I grew up poor. I’ll never be that damned generous.”

  Confusion flits over his features. “You own it?”

  “Technically, my mother does.”

  “Why Meggie’s?”

  I damn near laugh at the fact that he hasn’t put it together.

  Men.

  “It’s a long story.”

  He frowns. “Do I know it?”

  “Intimately, and as an outsider.”

  “Are you going to give me a straight answer?”

  “It’ll be my secret to keep.” I glance up at him. “The presidential address shook me a little. That’s why I took off early.”

  I don’t miss the clear swell of pride in his eyes. “Caught that, did you?”

  “All that time I thought I was playing on your board, and you’d already switched to another. Seeing Tyler standing there…Gah, I can’t tell you what that did to me. It’s remarkable, truly what you’ve done, what you’re doing. In my wildest dreams…I consider myself lucky I get to watch it unfold.” I deflate. “I just wish you would have let m
e in…” I shake my head. “Doesn’t matter.”

  “You’re getting every dime back, Cecelia.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Look. At. Me.”

  “Nope. You see, I don’t have to. Let that sink in a minute.”

  “Cecelia—”

  “You weren’t supposed to know about the money. It doesn’t matter about the money. It’s where it should be, back in the hands of people who worked for it. You’ll see to it that the rest is used in a way that matters. I know you will.”

  “You think I wouldn’t notice that much money? Look at me, Cecelia.”

  Our eyes meet, and I curse the zing that runs through me. He’s the man I knew, and yet so much has changed. But one thing never will. Our connection, it’s our connection that keeps me captive no matter how much of a free woman I preach to be.

  When I finally give him the full attention he seeks, there’s something in his eyes I’ve rarely seen. They swell with emotion when they sweep me.

  “I’ve come to claim what’s mine. And you know it’s not the fucking car.”

  He sets the bag down and steps toward me, and I take one back. “In that case, you’re better off trying for the car.”

  I don’t miss the twitch of his lips. “You’re going to make this hard?”

  I widen my eyes. “No, I’m going to make this impossible.”

  He takes another step toward me. “Good. I expect opposition. I expect retaliation. I expect to be surprised because of human nature. Case in point, the interruption that is you. But make no mistake, I know my opponent.”

  “I’m done with you.”

  “No, you aren’t.”

  “Smug, arrogant, ignorant, and completely clueless. You think I’ll take you now?”

  “No, I think I’ll have to walk through hell daily for months to come, but I’m willing to try and earn admission.”

  “You’re wasting your time.”

  “Debatable.”

  “This isn’t cute. I don’t find this amusing. You’re out of your depth. Save your bullshit.”

  He swallows, his eyes filled with a rare fear, all amusement leaving him.

  “Then, how about a little honesty?”

  “That was a joke, right?”

  “No.”

  “Well, I’ll never believe you.”

  “It was real,” he says. “All of it. It was real.”

  “Stop,” I say, dropping my gaze. “You can’t do this.”

  “Please,” he rasps out. “Please look at me.”

  Jaw clenching, I lift my eyes.

  “Beau taught me that a ‘real man’ stakes his claim and won’t let anything or anyone come between him and what he can’t live without. And I was ready for that. I was prepared for it. I was ready to fight my brothers tooth and nail, to fight you every day until you forgave me. I had a thousand dreams ready with you in every single one.”

  He tugs me to him, trapping me in his hold and slowly lifting my shirt from where it’s tucked into my jeans before sliding warm palms up my back and running the pads of his fingers along my wings. “This,” he palms my back, “it’s the fucking worst thing I’ve ever done to anyone, but,” he swallows, “you are the only thing I’ve ever stolen for myself. I let jealousy fuck up the beginning, and losing Dominic ruin the rest,” he admits, his gaze imploring. “When I saw him in your arms, when I saw how terrified you were, I couldn’t handle not knowing if I would lose you next. I couldn’t fucking handle it. I’ve never been so terrified in my life. You were all I had left. But I wanted you then, and I still want you. But more than that, I wanted to deserve you. I couldn’t take any of it back. I felt like the worst man alive. I did things that you should never forgive me for. And I couldn’t believe that you still loved me when you came back, after all the hell I put you through. I couldn’t believe you still looked at me the way you did, that same look,” he shakes his head in disbelief, sliding his thumbs along my back. “Maybe this isn’t a happy ending, but it’s okay if we deal with whatever it is…right? I’m sorry it took me so fucking long, but I never, not once, expected you would forgive me—want me again.” Tears fill his eyes. “We can’t bring him back, you can’t forgive me for everything, but we can fucking try to be…whatever it is we’re cursed to be. I don’t care how fucked up we turn out as long as I’ve got you.”

  “W-w-hy,” I clear my throat, “why now?”

  “Because loving you made me sick as fuck and losing you twice has made me terminal. I don’t want to live out any ending that doesn’t include you.”

  I palm his chest and push. “Tobias—”

  “I’ve only begun to prove myself to you. Let me. Please let me. If you never tell me you love me again, I’ll deserve it, and I won’t even ask for it. Not ever. But it’s your heart that I want most, Cecelia, not your beautiful face or your body, it’s your heart that I’m drawn to, it’s your heart that’s the most beautiful thing about you, it’s your heart that makes you my most worthy opponent.” He buries his head in my neck. “Please. God, please, Cecelia, let me finally love you the way you deserve.” He pulls back, his words sneaking past my armor, through the fabric, and into the skin before driving straight into me.

  I shake my head at my idiocy. “You forced me to let you go. You’re asking too much of me.”

  “You think I don’t know that? You think I haven’t tried to talk myself out of this to spare you my greed?” His eyes lift to mine. “I sent the proposal to buy Horner Tech the day after you got engaged. It was my only move. And when I got no response, I thought you ignored it because you had truly moved on. It was one of the worst fucking days of my life knowing that another claimed you and you accepted. Even though I was with Alicia at the time, I make very bad decisions when I get jealous over you, and that one I decided was a selfish decision after the fact. A weak moment. A coward’s play, but I could never fully commit to her.” He places my hand on his chest. “You gave me a choice the day you left, to play coward or be king.” He releases me, pulling a chess piece from his pocket and places it in my palm. “And you were right, you’ve always had the heart of a queen, but you have to know, earning your love will be the only thing that will make me a king.”

  I study the piece in my hand—the piece from my father’s board. A piece I hadn’t realized was missing. The night I arrived. The gin. He was there.

  I blow out a frustrated breath. “You are an unimaginable bastard.”

  “Your bastard,” he adds, a faint smile simmering on his thick lips though his eyes are etched with worry. It’s need I feel pouring from him. And for one caution-free second, I let myself celebrate it. His fingers massage my skin as he cradles me in his arms, his eyes imploring with a gentleness that has me aching.

  His heart pounds against mine, willing me to obey and no amount of lies I tell it, will it believe. This man is the only one capable of giving it to me. I’ll forever be its slave. He searches my face, his eyes glistening. But I won’t make it so easy for him, not until he earns it.

  “We’ll fight all the time.”

  He grins. “I know.”

  “You’re a lunatic for marking me.”

  “I know that, too.”

  “So, are you done?” I ask fearfully. Because if that’s the truth, it’s the biggest lie he will ever tell. The brotherhood is his whole identity. Any other life would be living a lie. “Because I don’t want you to quit for me. That’s not who you are.”

  “I’m on an extended leave of absence for now, and I’ve fucking earned it.”

  “I won’t let you quit.”

  “I won’t let you let me.” He runs his hands up and down my sides, his voice full of determination when he speaks. “If you leave, I’ll come after you. If you change your mind, I’ll change it back. I’ll fight so fucking hard for you every single day, so you never question if you made the right choice.”

  “No more secrets between us, Tobias. No more convenient omissions, no more games, no more protecting me because you think
it’s best, we both make the important decisions.”

  He nods. “I swear.”

  “Well, you’re a liar.”

  This earns me a faint smile. “And you’re the only woman who’s ever called my bluff.”

  “So, once I’ve put you through months of hell, we’ll be in this together?”

  “Oui.” He slowly nods. “We always have been, haven’t we? Whether we wanted to be or not.”

  I nod just as he expels a stressed breath and crushes me to him, his kiss lasting a blissful eternity. He delves deeply into my mouth, running his hands along my back. When he pulls away, I can feel some of the tension leave him. “Fuck,” he drops his head, “thank you. Let’s go home.”

  I draw my brows. “And where’s that?”

  He picks up his bag and shrugs. “You tell me.”

  “So, you have been sleeping in the woods this whole time?”

  I don’t miss his smile. “Maybe.”

  “I have someone there, you know. You’ll have to fight with him for your place in bed.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes. And he’s just as much of an evil overlord as you are. French, too. You’re in for a fight.”

  “I can take him.”

  “I’m not so sure.”

  I move to go to the passenger side, and he shakes his head and corners the trunk.

  I draw my brows. “You’re letting me drive?”

  We lock eyes over the top of the car. “I trust you.”

  Three words.

  Three words I never, ever thought I’d hear from Tobias King. More potent than any other words he could ever speak to me. I feel the weight of them as I gather myself in the driver’s seat, and Tobias climbs in, biting his lip to hide his smile as “Father Figure” sounds out when I turn on the car. I study him closely, his expression…content, his eyes filled with affection when he turns to me.

  “I do trust you, and respect you more than any other and I heard you clearly, Cecelia. I always have. That mark was supposed to be a promise that I always would.”

  My future has no more room for tears. I’ve shed enough for both our lifetimes. But I can’t help the one that sneaks away, with a foreign tinge to it that reeks of elation. And it terrifies me. Tobias reaches over, gripping my face. “There’s something else you should know.”