Page 128 of The Forbidden Note

Maybe that’s what I have to become to beat a monster that’s much bigger than me.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO

ZANE

Dutch glares into the elevator, his energy that of barely restrained, wild rage.

Finn is emotionless as usual.

And I…

Usually, I’d be pounding my fist into the wall, roaring obscenities, and exploding in every way I possibly can.

But tonight is different.

Because tonight, it’s not just me and my brothers in the elevator, spinning out after dad managed to push all our buttons the way he so expertly does.

Tonight…

Grey is here too.

And I’m holding her hand.

Holding it for dear freaking life.

It’s the only thing keeping me contained. The only thing keeping me from exploding in a burst of self-destruction. The anger sizzles under my skin, hot enough to melt the floor with each step.

We almost died tonight, but I’m more pissed that dad threatened Grey openly than I am about our pursuer in the mountains.

The elevator doors open.

We stomp into the lobby.

The girls in the restaurant all stare at us, heads swinging as we pass by. I’m sure we’re dragging a black cloud of doom around.

Grey tries to wiggle her hand out of my grip. When I glance back, I see her jutting her chin pointedly at the onlookers. Some of them will probably recognize us—if not as Jarod Cross’s kids then as The Kings.

I don’t care.

I don’t let go of Grey’s hand and I don’t stop walking.

She’s six years older than me.

She’s my step-sister.

She’s my teacher.

Screw it.

Screw it all.

We get outside and I meet Dutch’s eyes.

He frowns, his cell phone raised to his ear. I see his chest cave in relief when he hears Cadey’s voice on the other end of the line.

“You okay?” he growls. As he speaks, he gives me and Finn another nod.

I nod back.

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