Untamed Hearts

C h a p t e r 14

Caden's POV

I sat at Louis Café, sipping my coffee as my eyes fixed on the entrance my mind racing with questions. The soft hum of conversations and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee receded into the background as I focused on the door willing it to swing open and reveal Liam.

My thoughts swirled like a maelstrom each one tumbling over the other in a chaotic dance. What was he doing back? Why now after all these years? And what was with the pseudonym Dante Omaha? A shiver ran down my spine as I recalled our last encounter the memories we'd shared and the unspoken bond we forged.

The door swung open and my heart skipped a beat. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of emotions - shock, anger and a hint of vulnerability I dared not to acknowledge. I took a deep breath steeling myself for the confrontation as Liam's eyes locked onto mine a hint of smile playing on his lips.

"Hey Caden" he said his voice low and smooth.

I nodded, my voice caught in my throat. "Liam."

Liam's smile faltered for a moment, and I saw a flicker of something else in his eyes - uncertainty, maybe, or guilt. But it was quickly replaced by his usual confident gaze.

I gestured to the chair across from me and he sat down, his movements fluid and graceful. We sat there in silence for a moment, the only sound was the gentle hum of the café.

"So," I said finally, breaking the silence. "What brings you back to Willow Creek?"

He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "I'm here for a few months," he said. "Staying with my grandparents and brother."

My eyes narrowed. "Kai is here too?"

Liam nodded. "Yeah. We're all together again."

I felt a pang of... something. Jealousy, maybe? No, that wasn't it. It was more like... longing. For the past, for the friendship we once shared.

"And what about your mother?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.

Liam's expression turned guarded. "She's... not here."

I raised an eyebrow. "Where is she?"

Liam shook his head. "I'd rather not talk about it, Caden."

I leaned forward, my eyes locked on his. "You're going to have to do better than that, Liam. You show up after all these years, and now you're being secretive? What's going on?"

His gaze dropped and focused on the table. "I'm just trying to protect her, Caden. She's... fragile right now."

I snorted. "Fragile? Your mother? She's always been the strongest person I know."

Liam's eyes flashed up to mine, a hint of warning in them. "You don't know everything, Caden. You don't know what we've been through."

I leaned back in my chair, my mind racing. What had they been through? What was Liam hiding?

"Fine" I said finally. "Keep your secrets. But tell me this, Why did you come back as Dante Omaha? Why fight me in the underground?"

Liam's expression turned cold, his eyes glinting with a fierce light. "I wanted to test you, Caden. I wanted to see if you're still the same person I once knew."

I laughed, a harsh sound, "And what did you find out?"

Liam's gaze held mine, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I found out that you're still just as broken as you were all those years ago."

My eyes narrowed, a spark of anger igniting within me. "Broken?" I repeated, my voice low and even. "You're one to talk, Liam. You're the one who disappeared without a word, leaving me to pick up the pieces."