章 27: Chapter 27: CORD

"Remember, stay inside I have to go to work today so I won't be around." She gave me her patented ‘I'm a big girl' look before hefting her bag higher on her shoulder.

"Cord I'll be fine, I grew up here, remember!" I didn't answer her, just gave her my ‘do not fuck with me' glare. "I mean it Susie, I don't want to hear shit about you having to go to the store or run an errand, none of that shit. If you need anything you call me." "Fine drill sergeant I won't even look out the window, happy?"

"Come here." Some of the starch went out of her as she made her way to me. Lifting her chin with my finger I studied her eyes. She wasn't afraid of me one bit, which isn't what I wanted anyway. But I did want her to understand the consequences of disobeying me in this. Not only because of the danger that she still faced, but what it might cause me to do to her if she put herself in harm's way.