Page 26 of Thunder

It’s Lia.

Chapter Ten

Amelia

The chill night air stings my cheeks as I storm out the bay doors behind the event hall, vengeance fueling my every step. A furious fire burns inside me as I catch sight of Marcus standing near a van loaded with stolen food. My food. This isn't just about me or my job; it's about the entire community, because he sure as hell doesn’t know the full story of who that food is meant for. For a passing split-second, I relish the look on his face when he realizes he’s been caught.

Then I storm forward.

Now, in these dead hours of the morning, it’s time for war.

"Marcus, what the hell are you doing?" I demand, my voice a mixture of anger and disbelief. "This isn't some petty theft, you goddamned gorilla; you're actively undermining community development. I'm trying to help people, here. Needy people."

His remorseless green eyes lock onto mine, not even flinching at my accusation. If anything, they seem to burn with an even greater intensity, challenging me in a way that sends shivers down my spine. He remains silent, his jaw clenched, causing a muscle to twitch beneath his beard.

"Say something!" I shout, desperate for any kind of response. But Marcus only continues to stare at me, his silence deafening. It's as if he wants me to understand something without him having to say it.

"Is this part of some twisted plan of yours?" I can't help but ask, my voice cracking. "Or do you genuinely believe sabotaging this event and hurting these people will make a difference?"

He grins and turns away.

"Answer me, Marcus!" I insist, taking a step closer.

Then I slap him. With a closed hand.

So, yeah, I punch him.

The impact of my fist against his face hurts like hell; the sting runs up my forearm, past my elbow, and bounces around in my shoulder, reminding me that hitting a man whose face looks like bearded, scowling, grimacing, handsome-as-hell granite is probably not a good idea.

"Community development? That's what you call this corporate land-grab?" Marcus sneers, his words dripping with venom. “Looks like a fucking party for you and all your rich friends to celebrate ruining this town.”

The tension between us crackles in the air like the static charge before a thunderstorm. I clench my fists, trying to resist the magnetic pull that draws me towards him and debating if I should punch him again. With my left fist this time, because my right one still stings and I don’t want to give Marcus the satisfaction of seeing me shake out the pain.

"Corporate land-grab?" I retort, my voice strained. "We're feeding people who need it the most, Marcus. How can you be so blind?"

He takes a step closer, our faces mere inches apart. I fight the urge to reach up and touch his jawline, to trace the path of his anger with my fingertips, down the length of his jaw, all the way to his stern, frowning, kissable lips.

"Feeding them lies," he growls, green eyes blazing with determination. "You think I don't know what's really going on here?"

Marcus' eyes bore into mine, his handsome face etched with determination. The air crackles between us, our heated words fueling an electric storm.

"Marcus, you're so blinded by your own convictions that you can't see the reality," I say through clenched teeth. "You think you're some kind of hero, stealing food like this? What about the people who are truly suffering? You’re taking all this away from them."

“Bullshit. Lies and fucking bullshit.” Instead of cowering, he straightens up, defiance written all over him. "You really expect me to believe that, you heartless, home-stealing corporate whore?"

His words sting. Not just for what he says, but how he says them. To have someone who ignites such powerful feelings in me call me something so debasing strikes me in the heart.

"Is that really what you think? I'll have you know that most of the guests at this dinner are Costa Oscura's homeless and disadvantaged families. Most of them aren’t even in the development's way. Tonight is just a chance for some very needy people to come together, share an incredible meal, and find hope in each other's company. We’re giving back here, Marcus. Or at least, we’re trying to. Somehow, you seem to hate that fact. Why?"

For a moment, Marcus' resolve seems to falter, but he quickly regains his composure.

"Even if that's true, it doesn't change the reality that you developers are preying on vulnerable people."

"Marcus, please listen to me," I plead, my voice shaking with emotion. "We're trying to help those same vulnerable people. And by stealing from us, you're only hurting them more. Don’t be such a fucking hypocrite."

His green eyes search mine, the intensity in them making my breath catch.

"I can't believe you, Lia," he murmurs, his voice raw. "Even now, you still defend your precious job, even though you know that there are many people that are going to be hurt by it."

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