Page 146 of Between Passion and Revenge: Part Two
“How long has it been then?” Axel asks, lifting an eyebrow.
I roll my eyes, not wanting to go down this path.
“Not long at all,” I reply vaguely.
“Hmm. Days?” Axel asks. I grunt, crossing my arms.
“No? Okay. Weeks, then?” Axel continues, and damn it, my jaw flexes at that, and he notices.
“Weeks! Damn, Sandoval. You’ve been hitting that with Shae again? Well done. Is it still just as good as you rem?—”
“Keep her name out your mouth,” I growl, and Axel rears back, straightening in his seat with his hands up.
“Well, excuse a nigga for just making some damn conversation,” he grumbles, but he still has a smirk, so I know he’s just on his bullshit.
“Will you please fuckin’ focus? Damn,” Riale grinds out, and I shrug, watching as Axel returns to his computer.
It hits me then: There’s nothing more for me to do. Sure, we’ll have to wait for confirmation that Lakeland’s actually gone, but this eight-year battle is…done.
Talk about anti-climactic.
“I’m gonna head out,” I say, looking at my watch and swearing because I missed putting the twins to bed.
“Give my godchildren hugs for me,” Axel says brightly, and I nod, giving Riale a silent nod before walking over to him and giving him dap.
“Thanks, man,” I mutter.
“Don’t mention it,” he replies, his voice just as rough.
Riale and I leave the office, splitting in different directions. I walk out the front door and down the drive. It’s clear tonight, the full moon heavy in the cloudless sky.
One foot in front of the other, I take the same path my parents’ vehicle took the last time I saw them. Right as a bird flaps its wings in the trees, I reach the spot where they died.
And I breathe. I allow myself to grieve. I allow myself to be so fucking thankful.
Soon, I’ll have to face everything waiting for me.
Soon, I’ll have to face the mess I created and the devastation I left behind.
I won’t have anything left to hide behind.
A dark bird, black and white, flies out of the tree, soaring off past my head, and I drop my shoulders and release the tension in my chest as I watch it disappear.
Everything will be okay, even if I have to sacrifice parts of myself to make it so.
THIRTY-THREE
STORM
The quiet halls feel strange in comparison to the intensity of the showdown with Lakeland.
But I traded revenge for peace, so isn’t this what I asked for?
I’m letting go of pain and embracing joy. That’s what all this has been for, and with my feet guiding me toward Tempest and Raiden’s room, all I can think is: I’m ready for this.
I move past familiar guards protecting the top floor where my family sleeps. I should go to my room first and put my firearms in the bedside safe, but I can’t.
My feet head in the direction of Tempest and Raiden’s room.
