Page 204 of Between Passion and Revenge: Part Two

“This place belongs to you two,” I say. “But it’s really up to your mom what happens when.”

I run my thumb on the inside of Shae’s wrist.

“We might not know the specifics for some time. Just know it’s all going to be amazing. Okay?” I say, giving the twins a slow smile. Tempest looks skeptical, and Raiden seems to reluctantly accept my words.

“We’ll stay here.”

Shae stuns me when she pipes up, straightening her back in her chair.

“I have a lot of work to do,” she says with a short breath. “But everything’s going to be fine, and there’s no reason we can’t all live here. You both are happy here, right?”

“Yes!” they both shout in return.

Shae giggles.

“Well, that settles that.” She looks at me, flicking a braid behind her shoulder and flashing the engagement ring. “We’re staying.”

Now I know why Tom Cruise was jumping up and down on Oprah’s couch. I feel like I could join him right this second.

“Good,” I choke out, cheesing from cheek to cheek.

“Um, Daddy?” Tempest whispers. “Who’s that?”

Tems points over my shoulder, and I turn to see Skai standing in the doorway, a young male attendant next to her.

She looks good. Relatively healthy in the morning sunlight. Compared to when she first came to stay here, she looks like she’s gained at least ten pounds, and she doesn’t have that strung-out look that seemed to haunt her features.

The only thing that’s not quite right is the way she stares at me. Actually, how she stares at Tempest and Raiden.

“Skai,” I say, standing. I don’t know if it’s to welcome her to the table or stand as a barrier between her and my family.

“Tempest, this is your cousin, Skai,” I say, tossing the words over my shoulder. Shae gives me a confused look, twisting in her chair to offer Skai a warm smile.

“Skai, we haven’t been able to meet yet. It’s so good to see you,” Shae says graciously. Skai remains frozen in the doorway, and her attendant looks around the table and at Skai nervously.

“Yeah,” Skai says after an extended moment of silence. “Shae, right?”

Shae’s grin tightens.

“Yes, that’s me. These are our children, Tempest and Raiden,” she replies. I watch the exchange, feeling an edge of awareness that something’s not quite right.

Or is that my internalized ableism?

Skai deals with challenges from her mental illness, sure, but I shouldn’t villainize her just because she’s having a hard time right now. She’s sixteen, just a child, and she needs support more than anything right now.

“Were you just out for some fresh air, or did you need something, Skai?” I ask, trying to be gentle with her.

Skai’s gaze bores into me, but then she blinks and her face blanks.

“No, thank you,” she replies politely. “I was just going out for some air. It’s really nice to meet your family, Storm.”

More smiles.

“Ah, yeah,” I say, shoving my hands into my pockets. “Well, don’t let us hold you.”

I gesture toward the path leading off into the garden. If she walks long enough, she’ll run into the arch that leads right to the art barn.

Skai hums, tilting her chin down.