❧ | “F-Fine. Have it your way.” It’s only at his final words that the first vestiges of panic begin to seep into her marrow. Corinne realises he means business and he’s telling the truth. He isn’t afraid to hurt her. She should treat everyone that way, now that she thinks about it. Everyone is guilty until proven innocent.
There’s a wince as his grip tightens around her wrists and this time, it is almost an automatic reaction — the same way when the knee is tapped a certain way, causing the leg to kick out involuntarily. She knees him hard in the crotch and when his grip ultimately loosens, she slithers from his grasp and staggers back a few steps for good measure. “—- How was that?”
She does it perfectly this time; so much that he doesn’t even feel the impact, just the pain. His knees buckle, and his features contract into an immediate wince, but he holds up his weight by catching himself on the coffee table.
“I’m damn proud,” Holden grins, looking up at her through narrowed eyes, “just make sure you don’t wait until they’ve hurt you.”