Page 26 of Between Passion and Revenge: Part Two

I wait, watch, and mourn as she looks away from me and back to her companion.

Wait….

After a few more seconds, she’s gone.

Gone.

And it feels fuckingterrible.

I move out of the shadows, prepared to leave the gala and head to my condo, where I know I’ll face another sleepless night battling the urge to look through the telescope Axel bought me, when a sharpshhtsound comes from behind me.

I recognize the code for what it is and retreat in the direction of the noise. After a few seconds, Axel, Riale, and I stand in a loose circle in an empty dining room.

“All right, I’ve got what I need from Nancy,” Axel says. “Her email comms are bugged, including the secret folder she has on her local network.”

“That soon?” I ask, even though I know better than to doubt Axel.

“Yeah,” he drawls. “I just needed her thumbprint and to get close enough to scan her retinas.” He shrugs. “Piece of cake.”

Riale makes a rough sound in his throat, and I turn to him. His mouth is set in a grim line.

“What’s wrong with you?” I ask, already very annoyed with him.

He doesn’t respond right away.

“We can talk about it back at your place,” he says, dismissing me. But fuck that.

“Nah, nigga. Right now is fine,” I say, taking a step toward him. Riale bristles for a long moment.

“Storm, I’m on your side,” he says, and Axel stands silently for once.

“Why do I feel like that’s a lie?” I ask, narrowing my eyes. This is Riale. My best friend—a brother, really. He’s had my back more times than I can count, and I don’t want to believe anything but that he’s trustworthy.

But I haven’t stayed alive over the last several years by being an idiot.

“Speak your piece,” I add, dropping my voice low.

Riale sighs.

“You know she was here,” he says. “You should stay away.”

I run my tongue over my teeth, squinting at him.

“I have no intention of involving myself with Shae beyond what we’ve already discussed,” I say, and Riale gives me one of the most disbelieving looks I’ve seen on a person.

I roll my eyes, stepping away from the group and putting my hand on the door handle.

“She’s not good for you, Storm. Do you remember how bad it got when you broke up? You get obsessive about her, and it’s not healthy. I’m just trying to look out for you.”

I look over my shoulder at Riale and a silent Axel.

“I appreciate the concern,” I say. “But it’s unnecessary.”

And with that, I leave the room, still unsure if Riale’s warnings don’t matter because I’m staying away from Shae…or because I have no intention of heeding them.

My answer comesseveral hours later.

I don’t need to look through the sight to see Shae flick the light on in her living room. I’ve been sitting in the armchair next to the bedroom window for two hours, unable to sleep, as I predicted.