ALDRIC
I slapped the door behind me hard enough to feel the impact travel up my arm. The sound was sharp and final and exactly what I needed. I stood there for a second, breathing, my palm still flat against the wood.
Then I pulled my phone out and dialed Madeline again.
It rang. It kept ringing. Then it went to voicemail. Again.
"You think this is a game?" I said into the phone. My voice was low. Controlled. I was good at that. "You think you can just walk away from me? From this? You know what happens when people try to make moves without my express permission. You know exactly what happens. So pick up the fucking phone. Pick it up now. Or I will make you regret every single breath you take from this moment forward."
I ended the call.
My hand was shaking. I looked at it. I made it stop.
I dialed again.
Same thing. Ring. Ring. Ring. Voicemail.
