Page 50 of Red Fury

“That’s not—”

“It is exactly that.” I yank open the conference room door. “We’re done here.”

“Please. Let me explain.”

“Explain what? That you think I’m a liar? That after everything, everything we’ve been through, you still see me as the enemy?” My voice cracks slightly, and I hate myself for it. “To think I was starting to see you as—”

“As what?”

I snort. “It doesn’t matter. None of it matters. I’m glad you set the record straight.”

I storm out of the conference room, my pulse pounding in my ears. Behind me, I hear his heavy footsteps as he follows.

The area has cleared of delegates, everyone glad to be done for the day.

“Wait, Shadow,” he says, urgency laced in his voice. “I—”

“Go to hell, Fury.”

The words come out cold, but I’m too hurt and angry to care. The funny thing is that I’m not sure why I feel this way. Thisshouldn’t be affecting me so badly. He’s a Red, not my friend, certainly not… I dismiss the thought before it can develop.

“Whatever you have to say, I don’t want to hear it. Leave me alone. I think it’s better that we work separately going forward.”

I stride toward the nearest elevator and, thankfully, the doors are already open, as if the Universe is finally throwing me a bone.

“Shadow, wait!”

I step inside and immediately punch the button for my floor, then hit the door-close button repeatedly. “We’re done!”

I’m sure he wants to apologize. He needs me. I’m close to Harrison. He’s not only burned this bridge, he’s blown it clean up.

Fury reaches the elevator just as the doors begin to slide shut. “Shadow, we need—” He reaches out, but the doors close, cutting off whatever he was about to say.

Good! I don’t want to hear it.

I lean back against the elevator wall, my heart going nuts inside my chest. I’m done being the only one in this partnership who’s willing to take a leap of faith.

When push came to shove, he couldn’t trust me. He couldn’t find it in himself to believe I wasn’t sharing simply because I had nothing for him.

Asshole.

I’m not sure why I’m so angry. I should have expected this. Why did I let my guard down with him?

I shouldn’t have, and I won’t again.

16

Fury

I adjust my collar for the third time, staring at my reflection in the hotel room mirror. My black button-down shirt is snug around my chest and biceps. The top two buttons are undone, hinting at my tattoos. It’s a good combo paired with black jeans. I checked in with Thompson, who is coming with us, and he assured me that my outfit would be appropriate for Kozlov’s club.

I sigh as I look at my phone, which sits on the dresser beside me, the screen dark and mocking. I’ve sent four messages to Shadow in the last few hours. Four messages that haven’t even been marked as read, let alone answered.

I pick up the device and scroll through our non-conversation:

I need to talk to you. It’s important.

We need to share intel. This is bigger than us. Come on!