Page 71 of Between Passion and Revenge: Part Two
It’s like I’m standing in the middle of a fuckin’ hurricane, the broken parts of my brain and body battering against my goddamn soul.
“She landed at Paris-Saclay-Versailles,” Axel says.
I nod and march toward the door.
“Get me ten guards, Axel,” I command over my shoulder.
“Where are you going?” Riale asks. “We’ve got more to discuss.”
With one hand on the doorknob, I look over my shoulder, pinning the two of them with a hard look.
“Theonlything I need to do right now is get to Shae and clear this shit up. Immediately.”
I sneer, feeling so much rage and grief combining inside my body to the point it almost feels like a black hole.
“And if those kidsaremine?” I let a slow, unhinged smile spread across my face, feeling light and murderous at the same time.
Keeping my eyes fixed on Riale, I don’t answer my question. Instead, I walk out the door toward my future.
God help anyone who stands in my way.
FIFTEEN
SHAE
I’ve made a lot of stupid decisions in my life, but taking two hungry and overtired seven-year-olds to one of the least child-friendly places on the planet really ranks in the top five.
As we mill around the Palace of Versailles, my daughter shares a look with her twin brother before glancing over her shoulder at me.
God, what is she up to now?
Tempest, the ringleader and their designated spokesperson, required us to go to Disneyland immediately upon waking. I stupidly suggested that we explore the area, eat well, and then head to the castle.
They already went to Disneyland Paris a few days ago with my mom, and while it’s no real issue for us to go again, financially, at least, I try hard to give the kids more normal boundaries.
Sure, we have the money to do so, but going to Disneyland Paris twice, especially after spending five days at the park already, is excessive.
In the soft-lit sunshine pinging around the ornate palace, I acknowledge that maybe I should have acquiesced.
It doesn’t take much for Tempest to overrun me, Yennifer, Raiden,andthe security staff I established for us.
With a slowness that would be comical if it weren’t so enraging, Tempest guides her hand to the red velvet ropes separating the walkways from the priceless artwork.
“Tempest!” I hiss through a smile as my group passes by another guided tour on the way to the Hall of Mirrors. “Don’t you dare.”
To my right, Yennifer chuckles, but when I look at her, she wears a neutral expression. I snap back to look at Tempest, moving toward the front of our private tour line. When I reach her, she grabs the velvet rope, swinging her body beneath it to the other side of the barrier and obscenely close to a painting of Joan of Arc.
“Madame, s’il vous plait!” The guide shouts as he gestures to me, stuttering as his eyes widen and his face goes red.
“Pardonnez-nous,” I mutter, lurching toward my daughter. Her moss-green eyes sparkle with glee as she hops and twists her hips in that strange walk-dance seven-year-olds do. Raiden stands still as the group comes to a complete stop, his eyes as wide as the guide’s.
“Tempest! Now!” I snap, my voice rising despite my trying not to make a scene.
“Look at me, Mommy!” she coos, striking a pose next to a portrait of some long-forgotten French queen.
“Beautiful, baby. Now come to therightside of the rope. We’re not allowed over there.” I hold my arms out, motioning for her to come forward with both hands open, and her smile spreads.
That’s when I know she’s about to go into demon time.
