"She's not yours," Timothy says, his voice low and dangerous."She never was.And she never will be."
"She belongs to me," Randall spits blood.
"No.She belongs to herself.And if you ever come near her again, I'll kill you.You understand?"
Randall glares at him but doesn't answer.
Timothy hits him again.Harder."Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Say it."
"I understand."
"Good."
Timothy stands, hauling Randall to his feet.Vincent and his guys burst through the door, guns drawn.
"About time," Timothy says.
"Had to take care of the other three assholes," Vincent says.
Jonah looks at Randall and Adam."Your buddies are chatty.Of course, they didn’t know I had a drone recording them.”
“Fuck you, you’ve got nothing,” Adam said.
"Attempted kidnapping and other not so nice things you had planned for Carla, all caught on my equipment.”
“It’s not admissible in court,” Randall said staggering up to his feet.
“Doesn’t have to be. Just has to be sent to the right people. Your careers are over,” Timothy said.
“But don’t worry,” I say.“I’m still pressing assault charges against you, Randall and with the security footage. I think this is going to stick this time.”
"Bitch," Randall says.
“You bet your ass,” I say.
It's over.
***
TIMOTHY
Hours later
I hold her while she cries.
Her whole body shakes with it, months of fear and anger and grief pouring out all at once.She's not making a sound.Just these quiet, wrenching sobs that gut me more than any screaming would.
I don't tell her to stop.Don't tell her it's okay.Because it's not okay.None of this is okay.
But it's over.And that's something.
We're sitting on my couch, her curled in my lap like she's trying to make herself as small as possible.I keep my arms around her, one hand stroking her hair, the other holding her tight against my chest.
She needs this.Needs to let it out.And I'm going to be here for as long as it takes.
