“Oh, you did not just call me a child.”
“If the shoe fits.”
Her hands went to her hips in a show of intimidation which fell flat at my feet.
“Keep arguing,” I added mildly, “and I’ll throw you over my shoulder and carry you out myself if I have to.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me,” I countered.
Her mouth opened.Closed.Opened again.
Fury, pure and unfiltered, distorted her features.
“You are insufferable.”
“Just so you know, you’re no walk in the park, either.”
“I swear to God?—”
“Tone.”
Atlas’s voice cut through the room, low but stern.
Tone turned to him.She was still angry, ready to pick a fight.
“Enough,” he said.“This is not the time.”
Something in his tone had shifted, his voice sharp, cold.No longer the controlled authority he usually carried like a second skin.
“For once in your life,” he continued, his gaze locking onto hers, “listen to what I say and do as you’re told.”
The room was suddenly a chamber of silence as everyone went utterly silent.
Tone blinked.Once.Rapidly.Trying to work out if she had heard him properly.
Shock flickered across her face before she could hide it.I guess he’d never spoken to her like that.
Her mouth parted, ready to form a response.I could see she was ready to fight him on this.
But the look Raze gave her said enough.
Not now.
Her jaw clenched.I watched her swallow the words she wanted to say.I saw the fight in her dim just enough for control to take over.
She didn’t say another word before she turned and walked out, sharp and silent.
I exhaled under my breath and went after her.
Because whether she liked it or not—tonight, she was my responsibility.
19
Flashback - Archie
The cold was a constant.