Relinquish(53)

“Well, it’s happening now,” I seethe, trying to pull his fingers from my arm.

“You are trying to make a fool of me in front of the Blackwells and I won’t allow it,” Harron threatens, tightening his grip on my arm.

“You’re hurting my arm,” I grit between my teeth, my voice wavering from the pain.

“Do you think you’re special? I have news for you. You’re nothing,” he sneers, lifting his nose into the air.

“You have about two seconds to let go of my arm,” I threaten right back, fisting my other hand.

He laughs, holding a tone of mockery. “You despicable whore,” Harron insults. “I’m the man here, honey. What could you possibly do?”

Just as I’m about to swing my fist, a flash races past me and a loud smack echoes through the hall. Harron instantly falls to the ground with a loud thud. I glance from a passed-out Harron up to a red-faced Landon, holding his fist and glowering at Harron. My eyes grow heavy with realization that Landon just came to my defense.

Landon turns and raises his brows. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” Landon looks me over, squinting with worry.

“I-yeah, I’m okay,” I stutter, trying to get a hold over what exactly just happened.

“He shouldn’t have ever talked to you like that, Charlie.” Landon shakes his head, looking down at Harron. I arch my brows and laugh. Is he serious? The way Harron talked to me?

“Him? Have you heard the way you talk to me?” Landon’s eyes trail to mine, his brows slanting downward and causing two small wrinkles to form between them. He opens his mouth to say something but quickly closes it and turns. He rubs the back of his neck, his head tilted down as if he’s thinking.

He whips his head around and looks at me with such intensity it has me shifting on my feet.

“I-You don’t understand. I—” Landon begins but is cutoff.

“Landon, what is this?” Miller questions, looking over the banister. We both look up at Miller who is quickly making his way down the stairs to inspect the scene. My body instantly grows cold again. I cross my arms, an act of protecting myself.

“Harron is fired. He is unethical and put his hands on Charlie,” Landon informs his father, his tone serious. He looks more collected, as well, not so frazzled.

Miller finds his way to us, looking Harron over before his light green eyes find mine, causing the shrill of panic to bloom in the pit of my stomach. I quickly look away, breaking eye contact. I don’t know what it is about this guy, but my body goes into a state of alarm every time I’m around him.

“I see. Are you all right?” Miller questions.

“Fine,” I mutter.

“Did you do something to anger him?” Miller proceeds. I look at him, my mouth parted in shock. Landon’s head snaps to his father so quickly I think it may twist off.

“Excuse me?” Landon sneers, glaring at his father.

“I’m just pointing out that Harron has been around for years without incident.”

“I’m in charge, not you! Not anymore. I said he’s fired, end of discussion!” Landon bellows, pointing his finger in Miller’s face. Miller takes in a deep breath and glares at me with accusing eyes before walking away.

I shrink against the wall from his intensity.

“Very well,” he grumbles, making his way back up the stairs.

***

Looking out the window of my room, I notice a large cage off to the west. I chew on my cheek, wondering what’s in it. My curiosity getting the best of me, I leave my room and head toward it. At the bottom of the stairs, on the opposite side of Landon’s office, I find big double doors leading off the back of the house, and exit. The smell of fresh air makes me stop to inhale its crisp scent. A smile creeps on my face as I make my way toward the cage.

Getting closer, I notice the cage is actually an exhibit, like you would see at the zoo. There are gilded bars where I stand, but further back it goes into a concrete housing where whatever animal is in here can escape from the open. Looking around the exhibit, I notice lots of trees and thick ropes, a couple of tire swings, and a hammock hanging. I furrow my brows, not sure what was, or is, in here.

Movement catches my eye near the back, and my mouth parts.

“Is that a—”

“Gorilla.” I look over and see Landon standing next to me. I didn’t hear him walk over here I was so lost in the exhibit. My eyes catch his hand, noticing his knuckles are bleeding.

“You should wrap that up.” I lift my chin toward his injured hand. Landon glances down and flexes it.

“It’s fine,” he mutters. I smirk, his bad-boy attitude a complete turn-on.

“That’s Jaheem. He doesn’t like anyone,” Landon explains, pointing toward the primate. Landon looks like a child right now as he watches Jaheem stretch and yawn. My eyes dart to where Jaheem came from, and I find another gorilla walking out.

“That’s Ebele. She’s a lush for a treat.” Landon laughs and I echo it, watching the two apes wake up lazily.

The two apes hold hands and walk toward us.

“Awww,” I coo.

I lift up on my toes, excitement building as they come to us. I catch Landon looking at me from the corner of my eye. When I turn, I find him smiling, an unreadable expression on his face, but one that makes my heart pound harder.