Page 177 of Between Passion and Revenge: Part Two

“He started it!”

“She started it!”

They say at the same time.

I hum, giving them a thoughtful look. Tempest huffs and turns to her brother.

“Sorry, Rai,” she mutters, and I suppress a chuckle at her orneriness.

“Okay,” he says back, folding his arms. Tempest throws her arms out.

“You aren’t gonna say sorry back?” she screeches, then turns to me. “Dad! Make him say sorry!” I freeze like my name is motherfuckin’ Bambi at how easily she calls me “Dad.”

Clearing my throat, I collect myself and say, “Rai, you called your sister a bad name, so you should apologize, too.”

Raiden quickly turns to his sister.

“Sorry,” he grinds out. I guess that’ll do.

“Guess what?” I ask.

“What?” they say at the same time. I lean down to get to their level.

“We’ve got tacos for dinner.”

After looking at each other, they shout, “Yay!” and rush off toward the eat-in kitchen.

I pull my phone out when it chirps, smiling when I see the message is from Shae.

The smile immediately turns into a scowl.

I don’t think I’ll be in until well after midnight. Sorry.

I glance at the time, noting it’s seven-thirty, and my expression deepens. My finger pauses over the keyboard.

I could follow my first mind, which currently screams at me to tell her to get her ass home immediately for several competing reasons—the top two being because I miss looking at her and because she’s been working all day. I stop myself, though.

What would the evolved Storm do?

Do your thing, Sweetness. I’ll wait up for you.

There. Evolved. Understanding. Non-caveman.

I’m so proud of you. I love you.

I go to the kitchen and move through setting up and eating tacos with my kids. I try not to panic at the fact that Shae doesn’t text me again.

FORTY

SHAE

My eyes burn like I’ve been staring at the sun too long, dry and achy. Leaning away from the iMac screen, I take off the useless blue-blocking glasses and rub my tired eyes. I’d sent Melissa home hours ago, around nine p.m., so it’s just me and the two guards I’ve been assigned.

The amount of work that crops up like a damn weed with every layer I pull back on Zane’s deceit has me angry beyond belief. The depth of his thievery, the kickbacks he received from investorsnotto work with their competitors, the money siphoned off from grant initiatives….

I can’t believe I was so blind.

When will you learn, Shae?