Page 146 of Bad for Me

“I… I’m sorry,” I rasp, my throat hurting as if I’d spent hours screaming. I cough and clear my throat. “I knew he could possibly find us again, but it's been five years. There was never even a hint that he was looking for us. It seemed as if he just didn’t care that we’d disappeared.” Storm winces, and my heart clenches. “What?”

“Well, that’s not actually true,” he says calmly, his face clearing of all emotion. “After the two of you ran and Dad helped get you settled, he kept a close eye on the two of you. I never realized it because he kept you both a secret, but he was gone a lot, and I got curious. I followed him one night and watched him go to the restaurant and sit in a booth, eyes glued to your mom all night.”

Vince sits up straighter in his chair, staring at Storm as if this is the first time he has heard this.

“You went through my files?” Vince asks Storm.

“Duh,” he says, rolling his eyes. “It wasn’t even the first time. Or the last, to be fair.”

Vince grunts, clearly annoyed to learn that his son has been snooping in his office. But before he can say anything else, Storm continues talking.

“Every once in a while, she would go over, and they would talk, but mostly he just watched her. When I got home, I went through his office to try and find out who she was. I found a file on your mom and you. There weren’t any pictures of you but a full write-up about everything that had happened with your dad and how you were both hiding. There was another folder on your dad. The file had detailed notes from whoever was following your dad around. He was in the city going from school to school, looking for you. My dad and your mom knew he wouldn’t stop looking, so they faked your deaths in a car accident and changed your names.”

My mouth falls open, my mind spinning as I try to make sense of everything. I remember my mom coming home one day with some paperwork that said our names were changed, but she said it was just to be safe.

“She never told me,” I whisper, turning to Vince. The look on his face is the only confirmation I need that Storm is telling the truth. “She never told me she faked our deaths. Why wouldn’t she tell me that?”

“You know how your mom is, Sunshine. All she ever does is try and protect you. I’m sure she didn’t want to scare you with the knowledge your dad was getting close,” Vince says.

“Okay, I can see that. But what was her reason for not telling me she faked out deaths? I feel like that would have eased a lot of my stress because it would have stopped Dad from looking for us.”

“I don’t know, Sunshine.”

“Your mother worried that you would ask questions about how she was able to pull that off, and she wasn’t ready to tell you about my job yet,” Vince says.

I shake my head, forcing the million questions floating through my mind away.

“That’s not important right now. Do we have any other ideas about where he might be holding Atlas or how we can get him back?”

“Yes,” Garth hesitantly says, eyes flicking towards Vince and Storm. “But you won’t like it.” He says those words to Strom, and my spine stiffens. I hate when people speak around me and treat me like a child. Feeling me bristle, Storm runs his fingers lightly over my arm.

“Calm down, Sunshine. He doesn’t know what a strong man you are. No one does but me. But we will show them.” Storm’s whispered words send a shiver down my spine.

“Speak,” he snaps at Garth, who bristles at the tone and command but wisely doesn’t snap back.

“There was more to the video.” He pulls his phone back up so we can both see it and presses play again.

“I want Ashby and the money waiting for me at the third bench on the park's running trail. No one better follow him, or I will kill him before you can even scream. If you don’t, then I will press charges on Marry for kidnapping my son five years ago, and I will burn your organization to the ground.”

I stare, unable to form words, as the camera turns back to Atlas one last time. Just before it cuts off, two large men move toward him, and Atlas screams louder than he did when my father hurt him.

“Fuck! What are they doing to him? He looks so scared. When does my father want me to meet him?” I ask, hissing when Storm’s fingers dig into my arms in a bruising hold.

“No,” he growls. “Absolutely fucking not. You will not go anywhere near the park. You will not leave this fucking apartment until your father is dealt with. You will not give yourself up.”

“But he’s going to kill Atlas! And he threatened my mom and your dad!”

“I don’t give a fuck about any of them. They aren’t important. You are. You are mine, and your safety comes before all else. If that means your friend dies or your mom gets into a little trouble, I don’t give a fuck. My dad has the best lawyer’s money can buy, and there is no way your father could take apart our organization. Those were empty threats to scare us. We are too well protected, and my dad has connections with the police and government officials all over the world.”

“What about Atlas, then?” I demand, tears burning in my eyes as I start to shake with both fear and anger. “He is my best friend. He was here for me when you weren’t. He is the only friend I have. I can’t lose him. Please, Storm,” I beg, clutching his shirt so tight it rips. “Please don’t let my dad take my best friend away from me.”

Storm remains silent, staring at me with an intensity I know makes most men tremble, but I flourish beneath his gaze. He makes me feel seen and heard.

After a moment, he speaks. “You will not go to that drop.” I open my mouth to argue, but he cuts me off with a dirty kiss, biting my lip hard. “But I will get your friend back and make sure he isn’t killed. I’m not sure how yet, but I promise I’ll do everything I can. Except put you in danger. Until then, I think we should move back to Dad’s house. It is protected by a gate and 24/7 surveillance and security. We will be safer there, and I will be able to use his resources and men to find your dad.”

My face twists with sadness and frustration. I don't want to be forced out of my home, but Storm is right. Vince’s place has more security, and Storm will have better luck finding my father if he has help.

“Okay.” I sigh, exhaustion weighing me down. “I need a nap.”

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