Page 53 of Storm Caller

“You’re up,” he says, his voice so full of hope that my chest twists.

“How long have I been asleep?”

“Almost a full day,” he says, and I nod, because I guess I really needed that.

“I was hungry,” I say, pointing to my half-eaten plate. “I hope it’s okay.”

“Of course. I’m thrilled you’re eating. If you want to shower, it’s all yours.”

“That would be nice.”

He crosses the room and retrieves a fresh shirt and pants. He tugs on the top, depriving me of the view of his muscled back. I think I pout a little. Then he slides on his underwear beneath his towel before his pants come next. I could look away. I should look away, but I don’t.

He spins around to find me watching him and arches a brow. “See something you like, Trouble?”

“Yes,” I say. “I think I’ve made that clear before.”

He smirks and approaches, dropping to a knee. “I wasn’t sure anymore.”

I shake my head. “I’ve been angry with you. I wish you had shared with me, but I also understand why you didn’t. How could you trust me when you were just protecting all of this? I see why you had to do it.”

He tips his head, studying me. “I was planning to tell you. I swear. After the ball, I wanted to tell you everything. It didn’t feel right—growing closer, letting this thing between us progress while keeping secrets. Any good relationship can only be built on trust. My parents are the best role models for that.”

“Right,” I say. “I believe you, and . . . I don’t want to be angry with you anymore. There are too many other things we need to deal with.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

I sigh as he slides into the other chair and starts helping himself to food.

“I suppose we should. How much of all that did you know?”

“Some of it. We suspected The Shield was withholding a cure, but obviously, the rest was news to me.”

“What do you think about Sol’s idea of trying to get the truth out of Trinity?”

“I don’t know,” Rook says. “I think it’s unlikely some new recruit will be trusted with their deepest secrets, but you might have the best shot of anyone, even after . . . everything.”

“Right. So I use her to get closer to someone higher up, like Sol mentioned.” I pull a face. “I hate them so much.”

He offers me a sympathetic look. “You don’t have to do this.”

“What’s the alternative?”

“We could stay here. You’d be safe. With me.”

I exhale a sigh. “Would I, though? And for how long? Your father said I wasn’t welcome here.”

“We’ll change his mind.”

“What if you decide I’m too much trouble to keep around?”

He quirks a smile. “Never.”

I think he truly means that, but the rest of the Veil will definitely have objections to my presence.

“I need to go back for my mom,” I say. “My friends. I know New Manhattan isn’t perfect, but it’s been my whole life. The only one I’ve ever known.”

“Of course. I can understand all that.”