The first click came almost immediately and I counted, in my head.
One.
He slides the barrel over my bottom lip, pulling it down, all the while frowning at me. He is all business tonight, almost disappointed that I arrived alone. If I come alone there's no need for appearances so he sheds his human form completely and then he loses control.
Say what I want to hear. He wraps his free hand around my neck, pushing me against the door. He thinks my presence is preference and won't listen to reason so I save my breath for later when I might need it more.
I shake my head and am rewarded with another click. Two. My feet leave the ground and my breath shatters in my lungs as he squeezes harder around my throat.
Eye level now and I still don't look at Caleb. Click.
That makes three.
Don't, I whisper.
What is your life worth, anyway? He whispers back gently.
More than yours. Lochlan's voice is loud and clear. He takes my hands and I don't fall when I am released and he pulls me back through the door and down the steps and home.
You don't do that. You don't go and see him if I say I don't want to see him. You don't ever do that again.
You said you didn't want to go.
That doesn't mean you go alone. Is that what you think I mean when I say I'm not going?
I shrug. I don't know. Stop yelling at me.
Is that what you think? Answer me, Bridgie. Right now, hon.
Yes. You're feeding me to the wolf! You don't care if I go.
Oh I care very much and I've told you that but you don't listen until it's so late we almost run out of time. I don't know how to fix that.
You can't.
Sure I can. Or I can try. No more. No fucking more. You don't leave me for any reason. Got that?
You'll cave before I do.
Don't you bet on that now. You'll lose.
