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Elijah’s anger feels electric, making the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand like there’s a storm coming but it’s too late to get out of its way.
Caleb keeps pacing like a caged animal who hasn’t eaten and smells fresh meat.
“I don’t understand. Stand down from what?” I ask as the three of them continue to have a mental conversation.
Micah finally shifts to look at me. “He means that we’re not allowed to keep hunting for Ryan.”
“What?!” I say in shock. “I don’t understand. Does she know that he tried to kill you?”
“She knows. She doesn’t care. None of them do.” Elijah’s voice is low and acidic.
“But why?” Celeste whispers.
Caleb’s pacing comes to a halt, and he towers over her like he’s barely containing the fiery anger within him.
“Because he’s her son.”
His voice is gruff and her hand trembles in mine as I process what he’s just said.
“He was telling the truth?” I murmur.
Elijah’s head snaps in my direction. “You knew?”
My eyes widen, and my heart rate quickens as I shake my head no.
“But he told you and you didn’t say anything?”
Elijah stalks toward me, but Micah stops him. He pushes Elijah’s shoulder with the palm of his hand, moving Elijah back a foot or two.
“It’s not her fault,” he says forcefully.
Elijah slaps Micah’s hand away. “Fuck that! Just because you’re mesmerized by her goddamn pussy doesn’t absolve her from keeping critical information from us.”
Micah rolls up the sleeves of his dress shirt and rolls his shoulders back, blocking Elijah’s path.
“Youweren’t there.Youdidn’t see what she endured. I was there, too,brother. We assumed his words were lies. So if you want to blame someone, blame me.”
Caleb steps closer to them, ready to jump in if necessary. He’s never tolerated infighting, regardless of what’s going on around them.
Elijah looks between them both before glaring at me. His misplaced rage desperate to be released.
“What did he tell you?” he asks, slowly articulating each word.
I lift my chin, faking bravery. “He said that Connie birthed him…” I pause to take a breath. “And that Isaac is his father.”
“Dammit,” Caleb spits and goes back to pacing.
I look around to see the few oblivious partygoers who are bracing the cold when I realize that Taylor is missing.
“Cele, where’s Taylor?” I whisper.
She looks around and shrugs her shoulders. A moment later, we see Taylor running in our direction.
“Guys! We have a problem,” he says and pulls Celeste into his arms as if he’s protecting her from something, or someone.
Caleb nods to Taylor. “What’s the problem?”
Taylor squeezes Celeste, arms trembling and hatred in his eyes.
