Page 101 of Between Passion and Revenge: Part Two

His grip on my wrist tightens, and for a heartbeat, I can’t breathe.

“I’m so goddamn angry at you, Shae, but the thought of anything happening—” He cuts himself off, looking off as if he’s envisioning my demise in real time.

“I was weak before. I didn’t stop catastrophe from happening to people I loved, and I’ll be damned if I let it come for any of you. So, it is what it is, Shae. But remember, there are no lengths I wouldn’t go to keep you and our babies safe.”

And with those words, he kisses me, but it’s not rough like I expect it to be. Instead, it’s gentle, tender, as if he wants to savor the feeling of his lips pressed to mine.

So, I let myself fall into the embrace, too.

I let myself picture what this crazy demand he’s making looks like—what it feels like to be in his presence again.

I hold on to the moment, but then, I let it go.

Storm pulls away from me and rests his forehead against mine.

Remember, Shae….

Steeling myself, I say, “Storm?”

“Yes, Sweetness?”

I draw in a slow breath.

“I’ll do what you want, because I want Tempest and Raiden to be safe, too.”

His shoulders relax, and he presses another kiss to my lips, just a gentle press for a heartbeat.

“But,” I begin again. “There’s no way I’ll ever trust you again. And if you hurt our kids? You haven’t seen evil yet.”

Storm gives me his full attention as I make the vow, and I don’t flinch.

Finally, he says, “I wouldn’t expect otherwise.”

TWENTY-TWO

STORM

Ileave her alone for the rest of the flight.

Shae thinks I don't know her, but she's so wrong. I know her soul, and that matters almost more than anything. I didn’t plan on strong-arming her into being around me. In fact, I wanted us to come back together organically and rebuild trust. But then she ran with the kids, and all bets were off.

Shae is a supremely wealthy woman. Her resources enable her to go wherever she wants when she wants. She has just as much power as I do. We’re equals.

And yet, there’s no way I’m going to let her win, because her winning means her leaving me. Every part of me needs to lock her down before she thinks of going anywhere again.

When we land, I wait until the forward door opens to connect the stairs before heading to the back row, where Shae’s decided to sit for the landing.

“We have a car waiting to take us home. Yennifer and the children will meet us there,” I say.

“Are they still in the air?” she asks.

“No, they landed a few hours ago. King summoned Yennifer as soon as they got here and is giving a security briefing at the moment.”

Shae hums, her delicate fingertip tapping on the polished wood table attached to her captain's chair.

“I’d like to talk to them now,” she says slowly, as if trying to piece together the words. “Please.”

Her smile is meant to disarm me, but I know it’s fake. I know she’s been sitting back here plotting how she’s going to get out of this—how she’s going to get around all the things I promised her in the bedroom.