Page 94 of Between Passion and Revenge: Part One

“Who says I’m in love?” I mumble through cold lips.

Riale’s expression doesn’t change. “Don’t say stupid shit, Storm.”

And he’s right. Because even though it’s a horrible time to recognize it, I do love Shae. I love her beyond understanding. And I’d rather die a thousand deaths than have something happen to her.

“So. What are you gonna do?” Riale says, and finally, I see another crack in his facade. One of sympathy. One of regret.

And one of support.

What will you do, Storm?

I go still, closing my eyes, calling up my father’s face…and then Shae’s.

“I need some proof, Riale. I can’t just take something this big at face value.”

I face him then, giving him my full attention as I decide where I stand…which is to put this off until tomorrow after getting more information.

Proof.

Once I see it with my own eyes, then I’ll believe.

Then, I’ll allow myself to entertain the idea of destroying my father.

Riale nods, acceptance and disappointment plain on his face. I’m sure he sees a similar expression reflected on mine.

19

SHAE

“I’msorry,” Yenn wails for the millionth time. Her face is blotchy with dried tears, and her words come out nasally from her swollen nose. It’s the first time I’ve seen her in a week. She’s been spending all her time at the hospital with her father and staying with her brother in their home outside the city.

“Yenn, there’s nothing to apologize for. If anything, I should be?—”

“No!” she exclaims, jumping up from my bed to where I stand in front of my closet, hanging up the winter clothes I grabbed from my parents’ house over the weekend. It’s been two weeks since the incident at Velour, and my parents made me promise to spend the weekends with them. Not that I minded being back home.

It gave me an excuse to keep Storm at arm’s length after our intimate Ferris wheel ride and the tense moment outside Hansen’s class, even though we text every day.

But things are heating up with school, and I have assignments due before finals, one of which is the remaining paper with Storm, so if there’s a time for me to buckle downand stop spending the day in the kitchen with Mama, it’s now. Cooking is Mama’s ministry, and when she feels stressed or down, she cooks and cooks and cooks some more. I’ve got the same affliction.

My parents finally released me to move back to my apartment, but not without allowing Daddy to check all the high-tech locks Yenn’s dad had installed, letting Mama stock my fridge with meals, and requiring me to switch my closet over to my winter wardrobe.

“You don’t apologize for getting drunk. I pushed you to get loose and I should have known you’d be a beacon for creeps. Did you get that fucker’s name? I’m gonna have Daddy hack into his accounts and fuck him up!”

I shake my head and pull Yenn into a hug. Her father may be a tech giant, but I’m so,sosure he’s not hacking into anyone’s accounts.

“All I remember is his name started with a ‘J,’ and he worked in finance. But honestly, Yenn, I just…I just want to move forward and put all this behind me.”

She nods, her eyes still watery.

It’s been a slow, lazy day, and I’ve allowed myself to be in my feelings about everything for the last several hours.

I’ve set a deadline for my sadness; this is my last day of moping.

“I’m just so glad your dad is okay. Will he get to go home soon?”

Yenn joins me in my closet, moving clothes around. Probably to keep her hands busy.

“Yes, he’s finally moved from the CICU and been put on the floor. He’ll probably be home tomorrow or the next day.”

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