“That’s never going to happen, Kitty Kat. I’ll break this door down if I have to. But I’m not leaving this house without you.”
Silence.
“Kat?” I boom, needing her to hear just how serious I am about this.
Silence.
“Fine. You asked for it.”
Taking a step back, I steady myself before slamming my foot against the door, right by the lock.
It barely has an impact.
“Leave me the fuck alone, Styx. I don’t want you here.”
“You’re lying. I know you, Katrina. I know what you need. And it’s not to be locked alone in your room.”
“You don’t know me. You’ve never known me.”
“Bullshit,” I spit, taking a few more steps back this time ready to put my entire body weight against the door.
With a roar, I throw myself against it.
It takes five attempts, but eventually, the wood fractures at the hinges and it swings open at an awkward angle.
“Baby,” I breathe, finding her curled up in the middle of her bed, tears cascading down her cheeks as she stares at me in horror. “It’s okay.”
“No,” she screams, jumping to her feet before I manage to get to her. “NO IT’S FUCKING NOT. Nothing is okay right now. Everything is fucked. It’s all fucked up and none of you will listen to me. Why won’t anyone fucking l-listen t-to m-m-me?” she stutters as her sobs cut through her words.
“I know it hurts, baby. We know. But we need to look after you. Please let us.”
“I don’t need you, Styx. I don’t need any of you. I j-just—”
“Want to drown,” I say, looking around at the number of empty vodka bottles littering her floor.
“And you can. You can do whatever you need to do, but I need you to do it at my place. Where we can keep an eye on you. Where we know you’re safe. We can’t let you do this anymore.”
“That’s not your choice.”
“I know. Which is why I’m hoping you’ll agree to come with me.”
Her eyes hold mine. Despite the pain, I see her fire, her fierce determination and it makes me panic.
There’s no way she’s going to come willingly. And that’s okay. I planned for that.
“It’s your choice, Kat. You either come peacefully, or—”
“Or what?” she hisses.
“Test me and find out,” I taunt.
She huffs. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Okay. As you wish.”
I’m on her before she gets a chance to realize I’ve moved. My hands close around her waist and I throw her over my shoulder while she screams bloody murder, kicks and punches me. But even with putting all her effort into it, her blows barely hurt.
“Put me down you fucking asshole.”