That’s when I let the control slip.
Just a little.
Enough to show him what he’s dealing with.
My grip tightens on his jacket, dragging him closer, forcing him to meet my gaze head-on.
“You are.”
He shoves against me.
Hard.
It doesn’t do anything.
“Get your hands off me,” he snaps.
“Make me.”
The words come out quiet.
Deadly.
He swings.
Predictable.
I see it coming before he even commits to it.
I catch his wrist mid-motion, twisting it hard enough this time to drop him to one knee.
He curses, struggling, but I don’t let go.
I don’t even flinch.
“You’ve been watching what’s mine,” I say, my voice low enough that only he hears it clearly.
His breath stutters.
Fear.
Finally.
“She was never yours,” he spits.
“She wasn’t,” I agree.
My grip tightens.
“But she is now.”
Behind me, Maddie’s breath catches again.
I feel it.
I don’t turn.
Not yet.
