Page 36 of Retribution

Nasty Nurse is on his other side, I notice. She’s looking verynot happywhen her eyes move over Joe and she notices where his hand is. She clears her throat.

‘Nurse, you’d be more comfortable in the front,’ he says, not even looking at her.

Her mouth drops open and her eyes narrow at me. She’s pissed. But she gets out and slams the door hard. I see her get in the front, but then Joe pushes a button, and the frosted glass divider comes up.

I squirm uncomfortably as he crowds me against the door with his suite-clad body. Everywhere his body touches mine makes my skin erupt in goosebumps. My flesh crawls with them.

‘Now, we’re going to take a ride over to Richmond U and,’ his arms go around me and he hauls me up to straddle him, ignoring his bodyguard who’s sitting on the other seat completely, ‘you and I are going to have a little talk.’

My nostrils flare, but I do nothing. I hold my body stiffly as he grinds against my core. My teeth clench so hard I’m afraid they’ll crack, but he doesn’t seem to notice my discomfort.If he did, he wouldn’t care. I already know that. In fact, it would probably egg him on.

‘I know that you and John made a little deal about you going to school, finishing out the year. I’m willing to honor it. But Nurse Smith is my employee. She’s here to help. I don’t appreciate you arguing with my staff. You need to do as she says, so that you can recover.’

I don’t say anything. I allow his hand to take hold of my face and turn it toward him so that I have to look into his eyes.

‘Remember the black box?’

The one with the Stinger in it.

I nod as a shudder works its way up my spine and I subdue it at once.

‘Well, do as you’re told, and you can go to Richmond U so long as you keep Jacob here with you at all times.

A giant babysitter. Great.

‘But, make no mistake, if you aren’t obedient, I will have Jacob hold you down. I’ll put that Stinger on you, and by the time I’m done with you, you’ll never put a foot wrong again without quaking so hard in those little black boots of yours that you’ll beg me for mercy. Understand me?’

I nod.

‘Words, my dear.’

‘Yes,’ I whisper.

‘Good. I’m glad we’re beginning to understand each other. You will be allowed to go to Richmond U for your classes for the remainder of the school year. But you will not speak to or even look at your stepbrother. You will stay with Jacob always. Do I make myself clear?’

‘Yes, but…’

‘But what?’ His eyes level on mine, hard and suspicious. I think.

‘I need my laptop to do my work. And I work at the coffeeshop.’

‘No, you don’t. You don’t go to that little fighting club anymore either. But what’s the problem with the laptop?’

I let the Grinder thing go, resolving to tell Lu that I won’t be able to work with her there anymore, nor go to Dagorhir fights. It makes me sad, but I have more pressing concerns.

‘I was told that I’m not allowed any screens by your nurse. I can’t do my work without a computer.’

He narrows his eyes at me, as if he believes I’m lying. But nothing I’ve said is untruthful.

‘I’ll ensure she allows you to use a laptop for schoolwork, but for nothing else.’

I nod.

‘We’re here.’

He pushes me off of him unceremoniously and my door is opened. I get out in barely concealed relief that my body is no longer being forced to touch his, finding myself on the sidewalk not far from the Quad. Jacob gets out with me and I start walking toward Grinder in front of him, wondering how I’m going to see or talk to anyone with the sasquatch watching my every move.

I get to Grinder, but when I reach the door, the giant speaks.