Page 94 of Hearts Storm

Cool night air clears some of the whiskey fog from my brain as I push out the door and whip my head to the left.

This side of the building opens to a narrow alley between the community center and the parking lot.

When I turn my head to the right, a flash of red catches the edge of my vision at the far end of the alley heading north toward the fire station.

“Rey!”

Before my brain can fully catch up, my feet are already moving. “Reyna! Wait!”

All she does is pick up her pace.

“Goddamn it,” I mutter under my breath, breaking into a jog.

My dress shoes aren’t built for this shit. Leather pinches the bridge of my foot as I round the corner just in time to see her cross Main Street, cutting diagonally across the intersection without even checking for traffic.

“Jesus Christ.” Heart hammering, I sprint after her, dodging a parked pickup truck and a couple walking their dog.

Once she turns onto Cedar, I slow down to a walk. Now that I know for sure where she’s headed, I can bide my time.

Sliding my hands into my pockets, I slow to a leisurely stroll.

If she thinks she can just run away after the hustle she helped Brex orchestrate, she’s got another thing coming.

forty

A little drunk and a lot overwhelmed, all I want to do is lie down until I sober up a little.

My head is spinning as I stumble through the engine bay and up the stairs, flashes of dancing with Brex and Logan playing on repeat in my head like a broken record.

Brex, with all his warmth and charm, big hands grazing into the side of my dress as he guided me across the floor. Always confident. Always playful. Whispering dirty promises in my ear.

And when Logan cut in on Alan, something shifted in the air. His dark intensity is the polar opposite of Brex’s playful seduction. The way his eyes blazed into mine—like I was his to claim—made my heart turn over in my chest.

My phone buzzes in my clutch, and I fumble to pull it out, nearly dropping it on the stairs.

BREX

You okay?

Yes, sorry. Needed some air.

BREX

Want me to come get you?

No. I’m fine. I’m just going to hang out here at the station for a while.

BREX

Okay, Pretty. Let me know if you need anything.

Tucking my phone away, I quickly make my way through the lounge and into the kitchen. The combination of too much champagne and emotional whiplash is making my stomach churn.

Only the light above the stove guides my path to the refrigerator.

Tugging it open, I grab the pitcher of water and set it on the counter. Taking a glass from the shelf, I fill it, downing it in several long gulps, the cool liquid soothing my parched throat.

“I thought I told you that you weren’t to step foot in this station until your next shift.”