Page 113 of Between Passion and Revenge: Part Two

Melissa snorts. “You know how I got this info.”

In general, I do, but I still raise an eyebrow.

“You’re gonna have to say more than that,” I shoot back, and Melissa sighs.

“His password is laughably breakable, so he gets what he gets.”

I shake my head, feeling my headache turning into outright migraine territory.

“Has he approached you?” I ask.

“Yeah,” Melissa says, sounding pissed off. “He’s been looking for you, even though everyone knows you took a vacation. I told him he didn’t need to know where you are.”

“And how did that go over?”

Melissa sniffs. “He didn’t like it.”

I bet he didn’t.

“Other than Zane drama, the office has been relatively quiet, though,” Melissa says.

“Ugh, don’t say the ‘Q’ word. You’ll call in chaos,” I rush to say, and Melissa chuckles.

“Fair enough,” she replies. “I just….”

I feel her hesitation.

“Tell me,” I prod.

“I just…I worry about you. About this. You haven’t been yourself since that meeting.” She doesn’t have to say which meeting—she means the one where Storm showed up and exploded my entire world.

“I’m overstepping,” she rushes to say. “Please know that I’m here for you if there’s anything you need. Stay…stay safe, Liv.”

With those words, I get a sense that she knows more than she puts on.

Can I trust Melissa?

My throat tightens as paranoia sets in. Ihatethat I have to look at everyone with guarded suspicion.

And it’s all because I let Storm Sandoval back into my life.

I’m so stupid. I allowed myself to be taken in by him again, but the truth is: I don’t know this man. And I truly believe that maybe…I never did.

“I’ll check in later,” I say, my voice scratchy. Melissa murmurs her goodbyes, and in the next moment, I’m alone in the kitchen, staring at the island and the pizza remnants.

Who can I trust when the world is on fire? Who can I trust when Tempest and Raiden depend on me to keep them safe?

“Goddamn it,” I mutter into the ceiling, tilting my head back and sliding my eyes closed.

This is all…so much. Too much, really. But when I think about who on this planet I can trust without question, the answer is simple.

I can trust myself.

TWENTY-FOUR

STORM

“Wake up, Storm. We got a problem.”