I met his gaze steadily, keeping my own expression neutral.
Now what this fucker wants with me?
"Cedric," I said evenly. "Didn't realize you were looking for me."
His eyes flashed, and I knew immediately, whatever was about to happen, it wasn't going to be pleasant.
Should have known.
I stood up slowly, brushing bark and dried leaves from my clothes. The rough texture of the oak's bark had left imprints on my palms.
Cedric took a step closer, his polished boots crunching against the gravel path.
The late afternoon sun caught the silver threading on his jacket, making him look every bit the perfect noble son he'd always been groomed to be.
His lip curled into something ugly. "So the trash decided to come back?"
The words hung in the air between us, sharp and deliberate. He'd been waiting to say that, probably rehearsing it the moment he heard I'd returned.
