Page 18 of Kael

My own voice came out sounding broken. "She's been... she's been saying things. And calling me names. For days. Telling me you don't want me. That I'm just a project. That you'll get bored and she'll be there to take my place."

Lena shook her head frantically. "That's not—I never—she's lying—"

"Quiet," Kael said quietly.

That tone was terrifying too. For such a handsome man, he could look so wicked.

Lena's mouth snapped shut.

I kept going, the words spilling out now like poison from a wound. "She's been twisting everything I say. Making me feel like I'm crazy. And today she said it again, and I just... I hit her."

I wiped blood from my lip with the back of my hand, tears streaming now. "I started it. I slapped her first. But she hit me back, and we fought, and I'm not... I'm not innocent in this. But I didn't start it for nothing, Kael. I swear to God, I didn't."

Lena screeched, "She's delusional! The withdrawal is affecting her memory! I've been nothing but professional—"

"Professional," Kael repeated slowly. He finally looked at her.

Lena flinched like the word had been a slap.

Kael took a step toward her. She backed up again, hitting the wall. He stood close enough to touch her and spoke in that same quiet, terrible voice.

"You called her names."

Lena's lips trembled. "I—"

"You told her I didn't want to see her."

"That's not—she misunderstood—"

"It’s not a fucking misunderstanding," he roared.

Lena was crying now, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Kael, please. I was just trying to help. I didn't mean it. I would never—"

"You put your hands on her."

"She hit me first—"

Kael turned his head slightly, looking at me over his shoulder. My split lip. My wild hair. The bruises forming on my arms where she'd grabbed me.

Then he looked back at Lena. "You're bigger than her," he said quietly. "You're sober. You're supposed to be a professional. And you hit her hard enough to bruise her pretty face."

Lena sobbed. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.”

Kael reached out and gently wiped a tear from Lena's cheek. She froze.

"Shhh," he whispered, almost kindly. "It's okay."

Lena let out a shaky breath, her shoulders sagging. My stomach dropped—he was going to let her go.

Then Kael's free hand moved from her cheek to her throat.

He grabbed her. Not gently. His fingers wrapped around her neck and squeezed, cutting off her air before she could even gasp. Lena's eyes bulged, her hands flying up to claw at his wrist,but he was too strong. He lifted her slightly, slamming her back against the wall with a dull thud.

"Kael—" I started, my voice cracking.

He didn't look at me.

Lena made a horrible sound, a wet choking gurgle, her face turning red and then purple as she struggled against him. Her nails raked down his forearm, leaving thin red lines, but he didn't even flinch.