Page 59 of Microburst

“That’s actually anexcellentsuggestion, thank you,” I whispered, rubbing my chest as he gave me the answer I needed. That was… Perfect. Especially for Raquel who had completely dismissed it as women’s gossip bullshit.

No, we shouldn’t, especially when protecting another woman.

Bitch.

“And they were actually being nice and saying they felt bad you didn’t have like any adult belongings because your parents were so neglectful of you. But I shouldn’t know that. It’sgrossthat I know that,” he mumbled, not looking at me. “That they took this and that from other rooms because they pitied you and it was like a ruined family who didn’t have money.

“That is a dangerous rumor to risk starting and that’s how rumors get out of control fast. Someone says something flippant and later people say the queen is broke. So I was annoyed at them, at myself for how I handled things, and you wouldn’t talk to me… And I just wanted to help and thought at least I could do this when I heard the elders were fucking with your accounts.”

“I get you wanted to help and had no bad intentions,” I interjected, absolutely believing him. “But you get where I’m coming from, right?”

He sighed and scrubbed his face again but with both hands, really punishing his skin. “I do, but I don’t, and it’s stuff and I want you to remember me and like… I get annoyed I don’t get a vote in like anything, not just you, but then I shouldn’t get a vote on stuff like you’re saying. It’s just always more than it should be in my mind.”

I snorted, knowing that feeling all too well.

“Yeah, you know what I’m saying. That’s why I’m being honest,” he accepted and blew a harsh breath between his lips which was actually adorable and we both smiled.

How could a man that fucking huge be so cute to blow a damn raspberry when we were talking serious? Apparently, stern Thorn could pull it off when he was frustrated.

“I actually met someone who totally reminds me of you,” he said, clearly wanting to change the topic to something less serious. “I wanted to help her too and she was just as stubborn on it—totally not open to it. She was valid but…” He frowned. “It was weird because it was like she knew me.”

I froze. Like went too still and I think he noticed. I tried to play it off and move, but this was the first time he brought it up to me and I was still too emotional about too much. He studied me but continued.

“She talked like you and basically—she fights like you. Now that I’ve watched you spar, not just beat some Alphas, you reallyfight alike. I wonder if you had the same trainer or something.” He slowly blinked at me. “And her look of surprise is just like that but on a different face. I’m a fucking moron. I saw Belinda and Myriam at the last fight. It’s you. You’re the fighter.”

“What fighter?” I asked too quietly but kept my voice even.

Anger filled his eyes in a way I wasn’t sure I’d seen pointed at me. “Don’t fucking bullshit me. Don’t fuckinginsult meby lying to my fucking face right now, Sagan.”

That was the wrong thing to say. I ran my tongue over my teeth and pushed off the wall. “I don’t owe you anything, and I lie all the time to survive, so don’t you dare judge me when you’re lying to youruncleabout being here to take over from him.”

He was on his feet in a flash and grabbed my arm when I went to leave. “You’re right, but we’re together and—”

“We’re nottogether,” I sneered. “We’refucking. You made sure of that, remember? You didn’t want to be anything and panicked at the idea of being with me and insulted me maybe worse than anyone when I even suggested it.”

He dropped me like I’d burned him. “Then why are you here?”

“For sex,” I replied, giving him the look he deserved. I snorted when he got mad. “That’s why we only have sex. We don’t talk. We don’t cuddle. Why get mad?”

“So you’re still upset with me but will sleep with me?” he asked, like he couldn’t comprehend it.

“I am not the only one who has hate sex or sex without love or any of it,” I drawled and yanked my arm away. “So don’t be demanding with me and leave it what it is. Thank you for what you tried to do, but I don’t want it.”

He chuffed and blocked me. “No, you’re not turning this around and escaping like this. I know I can be dense, but I’m notstupid. You just freaked out. You’re Mystic Frost, and I want to know what’s going on.”

I stared up at him and let him see the coldness I felt down to my soul on too many things, my dragons not holding back their power until he cowered. “There are a lot of things I want too, Thorn, but I live with disappointment every fucking day. You’ll be just fine without the answers you think you deserve. Now move before I make you move.”

“No,” he gasped, my power actually making his knees go weak. “Talk to me.”

Later, I might be impressed he held out, probably because he was worried for me… But right then, I was just annoyed.

“Why?” he groaned as he sank to the ground. “Just tell me why, Sagan. Why would you risk this and—”

“You knownothing, you spoiled brat,” I seethed, realizing it was more Iris than me. I grabbed his chin and bared my teeth. “You let what you were owed consume you without doing more than sending emails and making a few calls. Demanding I fix it all without being willing to help unless it benefited you or landed you next to me.

“You werelovedby your parents and hate them because they didn’t plan for their deaths and someone they loved screwed you. Are you kidding? You’re still rich and have so much. Others would kill for that, and all you do is—grow up.” I shoved him away and reeled in my power. “I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

“I know you don’t, and you’re probably right about all of it,” he panted, his eyes too wide as he stared at me. “But I care and—”