“Okay, chill out,” I murmur, taking my elbows from the table. This guy is starting to piss me off.
“Don’t speak with your mouth open. You disgust me.” He tilts his head to the side, eyeing me as if I have grown two heads. My eyes go wide, shocked at his amount of hatred toward me. There’s no reason for him to speak so ill of me. I close my mouth and swallow my food, staring at him while my anger fuels my fury.
“Where did the Blackwells pick you up from? I mean—”
“That is it!” I stand and throw the stupid napkin, which I had to re-adjust perfectly in my lap thirty times before I got it just right, into the salad.
“Screw you! I’m done!” I shout, walking out of the dining room. I will not sit here and be talked down to. I won’t feel any less of a human than I already do. Landon is one thing; he holds my fate here. But this pompous ass can go to Hell.
“You get back here, right now. I have never had anyone leave one of my training sessions!” Harron grabs my upper arm, halting me just outside the door. His face is flustered and red, and his nose is making a whistling sound from his heavy breathing.
“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.
***