Page 45 of Auctioned to the Devil

“So stop looking at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you want to drag me out of here.”

I lean down. “That’s not why I want to drag you out of here.”

Her breath catches. “Caleb.”

“Emily.”

“Back up.”

“Ask nicely.”

Her eyes flash.

Then someone speaks behind her. “Excuse me, sweetheart.”

Emily turns.

I don’t recognize him.

Mid-thirties. Ski jacket. Tourist.

He’s smiling at her.

“Can I get past?”

“Sure.”

She steps aside. There is plenty of room, he doesn’t need to touch her but he does anyway. His hand lands on her waist.

Something inside me goes black.

I grab his wrist.

He gasps.

One second he’s touching her.

The next his arm is twisted behind his back and his chest is against the nearest shelving unit.

A jar crashes to the floor.

The store goes silent.

“Caleb!”

Emily grabs my arm.

The man’s knees buckle.

“What the fuck?”

“Don’t touch her.”

“I was moving past her.”