“Yeah, but not in a way that would ruin the party. Everybody’s missed you. They’ll all be ecstatic to see you.”
Riley shot her a skeptical look. “Everybody? Really?”
“Look, four years ago, when emotions were running high, there were a few people who blamed you for what happened—no, they wanted to blame you; they needed someone to take out their grief on. But a lot of time has passed; they realize that they were wrong. Shirley will probably always blame you purely because it relieves her son of any wrongdoing, but I don’t think she truly believes you’re at fault. Not really.”
Riley wasn’t so sure about that.
“The only other person who won’t be particularly welcoming is Cynthia. You two have never seen eye to eye and she might worry that you’re back for Sawyer.” Lucy snorted, adding, “As if. But this isn’t about them. This is about you and your uncles.”
The waitress appeared with their coffees, and the smell thankfully didn’t upset Riley’s stomach.
Once they were alone again, Lucy lifted her cup. “Come to the party, Riley. Come for the weekend and have a proper visit. If you were honest, you’d admit that you miss all of us too. Not only that; you miss home.”
Shaking the packet of sugar, Riley sighed. Like her raven, she did miss her flock, and she did miss Sedona; the flock’s territory had been Riley’s sanctuary, her safe place . . . right up until the end, anyway.
“Just a weekend. Then you can come back here to be with the wolves if that’s what you want.”
Riley sprinkled the sugar into her coffee and stirred it. “I don’t know, Luce.”
“I talked to Sawyer. I told him I was coming to see you today.”
“And?”
“He said he figured someone would invite you and that I shouldn’t take no for an answer.”
Well, that was a surprise. “Did you point out that his girlfriend wouldn’t like it?”
“I wouldn’t go as far as to say that Cynthia’s his girlfriend. One of the things that made you and Sawyer eventually gravitate to each other was that you were both the most dominant unmated ravens in the flock. Without you around, Cynthia’s the most dominant; I’d say that’s all the appeal she holds for him. But Cynthia’s set on keeping him because she knows he’s next in line to be Beta. She’s always wanted to be Beta female.”
Riley blew over the rim of her cup. “Does she know you’re here?”
“Hell no. If she knew, she’d tell your uncles and ruin the surprise just to be a bitch. I haven’t told many people because I was worried your uncles would find out and get their hopes up that you’ll come. I’ve sworn Sawyer to secrecy—he won’t break a promise.” Lucy put down her cup. “Did you plan to never come back to Sedona?”
“Of course not.”
“Well, then, if you would have returned at some point, what better time than for your uncles’ party? They’d love it. It’s been four years since you were home, Riley. That’s too long to stay away.” The sticky fake leather cushion squeaked as Lucy leaned forward and grabbed her wrist. “Please come.”
The bell over the door rang once again. Riley looked up and stiffened as none other than Tao strolled inside. Motherfucker. He flicked Hugh and Duncan a brief assessing look, and then the son of a bitch stalked straight to her. He didn’t speak. He bent down, curled a hand under her chin . . . and kissed her. Kissed her kissed her.
Utterly shocked, she didn’t fight him. Didn’t move. Then the shock gave way to anger and she drew back, ready to hiss a reprimand. But as his eyes flared with a warning, instinct stayed her hand. Tao would have no problems with causing a scene. Hugh and Duncan would no doubt intervene, which could lead to fighting.
“Hey, baby.” Tao slid in the booth beside her. “I was driving by and saw you in the window.” Taking a sip of Riley’s coffee, he flicked a glance at Lucy. “Everything okay here?”
It took all Riley’s self-control not to pour the hot liquid all over his head. “Fine.”
Tao sensed her irritation and, admittedly, felt the urge to smile. Instead he studied the female sitting opposite them. He’d watched their conversation avidly through the window, seen Riley’s conflicted expression and Lucy’s pleading one, and he’d worried she was trying to coax Riley into returning to the flock. Tao wasn’t good with that.
He also wasn’t good with the fact that two male ravens had had their hands on her, so he’d been sure to make a possessive display. She might not be his, but he didn’t want anyone else thinking she could be theirs. “Introduce us, Riley.”
Gritting her teeth, Riley tried to shift a little away from Tao, but his hand clamped on her thigh. It was her body’s reaction that made her freeze. Raw need pooled in her lower stomach. “Tao, this is a good friend of mine, Lucy. Lucy, this is Tao—he’s the Phoenix Pack’s Head Enforcer.”
“Ah, you’re the Alphas’ daughter,” said Tao. “Riley’s told me about you.” The lie fell easily from his mouth and seemed to make Riley bristle. “She said you’ve been friends a long time.”
Wide-eyed, Lucy said, “We have. Sadly, she hasn’t mentioned you to me, which is very disappointing.” Her eyes slid to Riley. “I’m assuming you haven’t mentioned him to your uncles either, because a little thing like this wouldn’t have slipped their minds.”
“And how are Ethan and Max?” asked Tao. “Bored after retiring from their enforcer roles?”
“I think they might be a little bored,” Lucy replied with a smile. “Other than that, they’re fine. Although they miss her like crazy.”
“Well, considering they raised her, I’m not surprised.”
Riley fairly goggled at him. He’d said he knew only “basic facts,” but he was reeling off plenty of details.
He put down Riley’s cup. “You’re a long way from Sedona.”
“I came to invite Riley to the surprise party we’re throwing to celebrate the anniversary of her uncles’ mating. You should come too.”
“Thanks, I’d be happy to go with her.” Tao squeezed Riley’s thigh when she opened her mouth, most likely to object. She snapped it shut, so he stroked her thigh in reward.
“Great.” She patted Riley’s hand. “Your uncles will be thrilled to hear you’ve met someone, even if he’s not a raven.”
“Lucy,” Riley drawled.
“You want them to hear it from you, I get it.” She took a long gulp of her coffee and then rose. “I’ll try to remember not to mention it, but I may just forget if you miss the party.”
“That’s mean.”
“That’s me.” Edging out of the booth, Lucy said, “The party takes place on Friday; that gives you a little time to think on it. You could arrive that day so your presence is as much of a surprise as the party. Then you could stay for the weekend. Seriously, Riley, they’d love to see you. It would make their year.” Her eyes slid to Tao. “It was good meeting you. Take care of her for me.”
Hugh and Duncan said their goodbyes to Riley as they followed Lucy out of the diner—sparing Tao only a curious, unfriendly glance. With a sigh Riley let her head fall back and rubbed her aching forehead.