Breaking the Storm (7 page)

“Get
the hell off me.”

He
backed me against the side of the building, caging me in. “Explain!” he roared. Those gorgeous sea-green eyes that once looked at me with something close to love were now angry, hateful, and disgusted. “What the fuck, Storm? Luke?”

“Explain?”
I looked at him coldly, pushing him unsuccessfully. “Are you out of your damn mind? After seeing you with Kaydee, I don’t have to explain shit to you. Get out of my face.”

“Has
it ever occurred to you that you saw exactly what she wanted you to see?”

“I
saw her between your legs with her hands all over you. I saw enough to get the point of what was next.”

He
sighed. “This is my fault for not working on our trust issue. I thought we had time to figure this shit out.”

I
was mentally exhausted by this conversation and just needed to go home to bawl my eyes out. “Are you honestly trying to deny what I just saw?”

His
eyes clouded. “I fucked up. I should have stopped it when I saw where it was heading, but I was too fucking caught up over the stuff she had just told me about you.”

I
arched a brow. “What?”

His
eyes actually looked hurt and angry. “That you were still seeing Luke and that I was nothing but an item on your wish list before you settled down with him.”

My
mouth dropped open with shock. “So instead of coming to me and asking a question like a rational person, you decided that getting a blow job was a more viable option?” I pushed against his chest. “We're done.”

“What
the fuck do you mean
done
?”

I
looked at him like he lost his ever-loving mind. “Done. The kind of done where you leave me the fuck alone. The kind of done where I walk away and you have a nice life. That kind of done.”

He
pounded his fist against the brick wall. “Fuck! Storm. I really don't need this shit right now.”

I
pointed at his face. “You selfish ass.” I pushed against his steel arms. I hated the feeling of being caged in. “Move, Knox. Now!”

He
stepped back, allowing me to sidestep him. I straightened my clothes, turning on my heels to find my car and get the fuck out of here.

He
grabbed me, pulling me against his chest, wrapping his arms around me with gentleness. I almost sighed contently as my back pressed against him in a most familiar way. “Don't leave like this,” he whispered into my ear with a husky voice filled with emotion.

My
body and mind wavered for a second before gulping down the pain of loss. “I really don’t know what type of women you’re used to dealing with, but I can’t… No, scratch that—I won't get past this. You and Kaydee have fun.” I pulled away with pointed finality. My heart was racing as I pulled out my car keys. With a muddled mind, I looked around the dark side street for my car. I couldn't even function as I heard his pounding footsteps behind me.

“Storm,
don’t walk away. Kaydee means nothing.”

Please
don't cry
, I chanted over and over under my breath
.
A sob escaped before I could stop it. Spotting my car with relief, I felt my fingers tremble, cold and fucking uncoordinated. I fumbled to open the door with no success. Knox stepped behind me, the heat of his body pressing against me as he closed his fingers firmly over mine and turned the key. Shoving him, I scrambled inside, attempting to slam the door, only to have him hold it firmly.

He
just stared at me, eye-fucking me successfully. Even upset as hell, I still felt the warmth spreading between my legs. My body was screaming yes—yes—yes—and my mind was fighting to follow. I yanked my gaze away. Nope, that was not happening.

“Look
at me, Storm.” His voice was like steel.

I
looked at him with disgust. “What do you want from me, Knox?”

He
trapped my gaze, saying softly, “Everything.”

I
swallowed the tears when I saw the stern set of his jaw and confident posture. “You had that, Knox… That's why what you did hurt so fucking much.”

His
gaze softened. “I'm dealing with a lot of shit right now and then losing tonight didn't make things any easier.”

No
apology, just fucking excuses. Who was this man? I stopped and hardened my heart as I stared at him with dead eyes. “Fine. You want the truth? Kaydee was telling the truth. It was just fun, something to look back on, another checkmark on my bucket list.”

H
e pounded heatedly on the roof of my car with such force that I jumped nervously. “You’re a fucking liar.”

“And
Luke… we decided to get back together.”

The
vein along his jaw pulsed frantically. “Luke is not an option. You and I have something, Storm. Don't let that go.”

“Wait…”
I looked him up and down with contempt. “Did you honestly think you and I would actually skip into the sunset like some ridiculous reality show couple?” I laughed coldly. “You’re a starving artist. I need someone stable—like Luke. And from what I've seen tonight, you're not worth my time or effort. Good-bye, Knox Gunner.” Each word was like a knife in my chest. Painful, biting, a slow crawl that brought my soul closer to death. But I determinedly trudged on. I flipped my hair over my shoulder before starting the car. I pulled on the door, but he held on stubbornly.

“This
is not the end, Storm. It's only the beginning. I'll be back to claim what's mine.” His eyes were cold. “You.” He released the door, stepping back as I peeled away with tears streaming down my cheeks.

My
heart stuttered, shutting down that part of me that was willing to take a chance on love. Never again. He was the last man I’d ever open my heart to again. He's gone. History. The past I would never repeat again.

FIVE
YEARS LATER

NEW
YORK CITY

The crisp fall air whipped around the terrace as I tucked my legs under me with a sigh. “Now this is living,” I mumbled under my breath, enjoying the panoramic 360-degree view of the Manhattan skyline, East River, Central Park, and Grand Avenue.

This
was my quiet time. My fifteen minutes of solitude. The lull before the storm. No mom, Aunt Lia, or Light barging into my private apartment in hysterics about some business conundrum. No phone calls from escorts whining about fucked-up assignments or pay raises.

All
was right in my world… at least for a few more precious minutes. Then all hell would break loose again and my life would resume its breakneck reality. The reality of dealing with the drama and chaos of business and family.

“Storm!
Where the hell are you?”

Shit!
Light was on the move and she was not a happy witch.

“Your
time is up,” Light barked as she swayed in looking like she just stepped off a runway with not one shiny jet-black hair strand out of place. It never ceased to amaze me how she could look like the picture of calm and coolness while inside she was a churning slew of unstable emotions.

Sighing
heavily, I sank lower into a lounging position. “Fifteen minutes, that’s all I asked for—and you couldn’t even do that.”

Light's
skin glowed as she clutched the two champagne minis to her chest like bars of gold. “Uh, no, I couldn't. I'm not equipped to deal with the shit storm brewing downstairs in the office.” She handed me a bottle as she plopped down beside me. “Three more escorts didn’t show up for their assignments. The phone is ringing off the hook with pissed-off clients. And I just ran out of alcohol. This shit is going down the toilet and the night’s still young.”

“What
did I tell you about raiding my refrigerator? These were gifts from Noah.” I tried to snatch the other bottle from her hand, but she expertly dodged my attempt. This was the downside of living with family—no privacy, the constant invasion of my space, and the pilfering of all my expensive stuff. It didn’t matter that apart from work, I shouldn’t have to put up with this annoyance in our expansive, five-story elevator townhouse.

“Didn’t
you hear the part about me running out of alcohol?” Light mumbled.

“
Go to your mother’s wing. Her place has all the good stuff.”

Mid-sip,
Light shot me an evil glare. “She changed the code to her floor. Damn witch.”

I
smirked at her. “Now why the hell didn’t I think of that?”

She
looked at me cheekily. “Uh, because you love me and adore my charming company.”

Easing
off the chair, I walked into the living room. “Nope, that’s not it. It’s because if I did, you would whine like a little puppy, annoying the hell out of me,” I responded before picking up my cell and striding into the elevator.

Light
followed me. “That’s a real bitchy thing to say… but true.”

Ignoring
her completely, my mind went into business mode, lining up all the calls I had to make to settle the tornado of chaos. One of them I didn't relish making at all. The elevator door slid open right into the open-concept office designed in a cross between ultra-modern with a bit of traditional thrown in.

Reading
my mind as usual, Light blurted, “And we’re calling that she-wolf first.”

I
refused to let her drag me under in her sea of rage. I ignored her completely, letting her rage over the dangerous Lacie predicament roll off me like rivulets of rain. I didn't need her hassling me over the fact that if this predicament were not handled correctly, it would bleed into every facet of our lives. It was an outcome that, knowing Lacie Gilden's devious mind, was exactly the goal she was hoping for—total anarchy.

Through
clenched teeth, I responded, “Will you just let me handle this, Light? I don't need you riling me up. I just need to clarify the legal ramifications of her actions. That's it.”

It
was a conversation I dreaded and it didn't help that Lacie and I had history—very bad history. A history that exploded into a cataclysmic, bloody brawl in high school. Everyone in the coven knew the Gildens were as ruthless as they came, and it didn’t help matters that they were our direct business competitors. A business that went to great lengths to steal our clients and employees by using tactics that would make even the most hardened criminal smile with pride.

Light
curled up onto the leather chair, sucking down the last drops of champagne with desperation written all over her face. Instantly, I knew she was hurting from the daily strain of keeping the barrage of human emotions from sending her crazy, and no amount of alcohol could disguise that.

I
was really worried about her. Shit, I was always worried about her because she was born with the worst luck of all the members in the family. She had the ability to sense all human emotions. The constant influx of feelings was overwhelming with no remedy to prevent them from completely making her crazy. We all tried different methods to help. The only thing that worked was dulling her senses with alcohol and me soothing her through our bond connection.

So
I did what I always did. I lowered my mental walls, allowing her to take a few sips of my emotions to put her mind in a neutral, calm state. It would cause me horrible migraine-inducing side effects later, but I was willing to take one for the Credence team. Light latched on to our connection with a sigh. She needed it to take the edge off her instability. My stomach heaved as my emotional state fluctuated from angry to delirious with each pull. It was too dangerous for me to let the connection linger, so I quickly severed it, immediately settling my emotions.

Light's
fingers trembled as she took a large gulp of champagne. “Thanks, Storm.”

Brushing
back the strands of hair sticking to the sweat on her forehead, I asked, “Why did you let it get so bad?”

She
leveled me with an irritated stare. “Because I'm tired of being a burden. I'm tired of everyone in this family treating me like I'm some incompetent hag who's one step away from going crazy. I'm just damn tired of not being treated like an equal around here.”

I
rolled my eyes.
Shit, not this again.
I could almost hear the
woe is me
violins playing in the background. “Okay, first, you are an equal. Our mothers made it legal by giving us equal shares in the business. Secondly, without your marketing genius, we wouldn't have as many new clients as we do. So stop fishing for compliments already.” I picked up my cell. “Now, I need to get myself mentally prepared and in control to make this fucking call.”

“See
? That's your problem. Way too much control. For once will you just let go? Unleash those well-manicured claws and let her know that you mean business. Otherwise, I will.” She flexed her fingers around her glass. “Gladly.”

I
scoffed. “Uh-huh, that's exactly what we need. Both of us getting all crazy New York on her ass.” Nope, that wouldn't be good. Light and I could get downright mob-like when we put our minds to it. This was a state that we hadn’t gotten to since college. Well, at least I hadn't. I was no longer the wild, impetuous girl who allowed emotions to dictate my life. I put that shit aside years ago. No, this situation demanded meticulous calm and stealth. And if that didn't work, I wasn't above deadly intent mode.

The
gloves were off when it came to messing with our bread and butter. And I would be damned if I let some spiteful she-wolf sully our reputation just because she was bitter. We worked too hard to maintain our reputation as Credence “Other” Corporation. Secretly New York’s most sought after Other escort service providing over-the-top discreetness and exclusivity to our clients—Other men who had a preference for Other women, but without all the drama of unnecessary attachments. With clients demanding the elite of beautiful Other women as arm candy when they were in town on business.

My
heels clicked along the entry diamond-cut flooring with light and dark contrast as I walked toward the wall-to-wall windows overlooking the Manhattan skyline. Taking a deep, cleansing breath, I clenched and unclenched my fingers before tapping the numbers.

“Lovely,
a call from Stormy Credence. What do I owe the pleasure of a call from the elite Credence O. Corporation?” Lacie's answering purr was like fingernails on a chalkboard.

I
gritted my teeth, pushing down the anger. I needed to be crisp and to the point. “Lacie, it’s really unprofessional and against the rules to call our escorts, pressuring them to leave our employment.”

Lacie
laughed mockingly. “I can't help it if they’re interested in making real money without all of the ridiculous Credence O. restrictions.”

I
wanted to reach through my cell and choke the hell out of her. “Restrictions, as in ensuring that our clients are clear that we are not a prostitution service?” I asked coldly.

Lacie
clucked her tongue. “Prostitution is such an ugly word. My business provides a service of pleasure that demands high compensation,” she responded with an air of arrogance.

“Put
whatever pretty spin you want on it. It's straight-up prostitution,” Light interjected.

I
quickly cut her off before she launched into a full-on verbal attack. “Look, Lacie, if they want to join your family's prostitution ring, I don't care.” Light snickered as she poured more champagne into fluted glasses. I winked at Light before continuing. “But as you are fully aware, all of our escorts are under contract, and severing it incurs a hefty fine.” I paused dramatically. “Now you and I know that as beautiful as the escorts are, they're not loyal and definitely not stupid. So when I start garnishing their wages, fingers will start pointing to their new employer—you—to pay the fines for them. Now I really don't want this to get ugly. Like bringing your ass before the Other Council ugly. But I won't hesitate if you don't back the hell off.”

I
was bluffing. Going before the pompous members of the Other Council would be as enjoyable as going to the OB/GYN.

Lacie’s
voice was cold. “You can’t threaten me, hybrid.”

“This
hybrid just did.” My jaw tightened before continuing. “Next time, think about the ramifications before you go fucking with our business.”

“You
bitch!” Lacie sputtered.

I
disconnected, walking over to my desk and picking up the two newly signed contracts with freshly inked names—Ryker Alfero and Brad Camero. Damn, this was a freaking nightmare. What were the odds of having two Alpha shifter's demanding escorts on the same night? Pressing my finger to the Biometric Safe lock, I pulled open the door, placing the contracts in before slamming it shut.

“Thank
goodness we’re done with that trash,” Light muttered as she turned on the flat-screen television.

“For
now,” I responded glumly because we would never be done with her or her family. My back stiffened when a commercial suddenly blasted a very familiar rock song. Knox’s song from his new album.

Light's
eyes narrowed shrewdly on me. “I do love that song.”

“Uh-huh,
whatever,” I responded.

“Interesting.
Still angry, huh?” Light responded.

“Angry
about what?” I was so done with this conversation.

“I
saw what happened that night… with Knox,” Light blurted out.

Cringing
with shame, I just stared. “Well, this is fucking embarrassing.”

Light
snorted. “Embarrassing? You've got to be kidding me, right? I've seen you at your worst, like holding back your hair while you threw up after a hard night of partying.” She pointed at me. “Now that's embarrassing.”

“Well,
yeah that's true. But it's just that you never said anything. Why?”

“Because
I was waiting for you to tell me.” Light looked at me pointedly. “That night, I followed you backstage just to make sure everything was all right. And when I saw what happened between you and Knox, I was like good riddance to that asswipe.” She paused. “I love you and wouldn't want you hurt for anything in the world, but you and I knew he had to go. And what he did was a prime example of why.” She looked at me pointedly. “But you know that even after that shit he did, I still think that it takes too much energy to hate him.”

My
eyes widened. “Do you know you have the logic of a psychotic woman?”

She
shrugged. “What can I tell you? I keep it real simple. Less tears are spilled that way. Now get over here and have a drink. My favorite show is on.” Her eyes went wide as she focused on the television, pointing in the general direction of an ornate champagne glass sitting on the marble coffee table. She could make a celebratory drinking soiree out of any life event—good or bad.