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This was definitely different.
Bastian joined Garrick at the trunk of the car as another kick landed.
“I think she’s trying to kick out the taillight,” Bastian leaned over to feel the light as another thud hit. “Yeah. She is.” He smiled. Their girl was smart.
“She’s going to break her foot.” Garrick pulled out the fob from his pocket. “I had the trunk reinforced. She won’t get it out.”
“You did what?” Bastian glanced up at him.
Garrick shrugged. “You never know when you need to transport someone back here.”
Bastian laughed as another thud hit. A cry followed.
“Fuck. Open it!” He gestured toward the trunk. Garrick hit the button, and the trunk popped open.
As soon as the lid was unlatched, it flew open, and Ariella flung herself from the trunk, launching herself forward. Bastian caught her before she could fall face-first onto the driveway.
“Hey!” He wrangled with her as she flew fists in his direction, and she tried to wiggle out of his grip. “Stop it!”
Garrick stepped in and fisted her hair, pulling until her back pressed against Garrick’s chest. Her eyes, wild with rage, landed on Bastian, looking down the length of her nose at him with her head pulled back.
“Let me go.” She struggled, but Garrick didn’t accommodate.
Bastian stepped up to her, pressing the tips of his boots against the toes of her shoes. He brought his face down on hers until he could look directly into her eyes.
“The fighting stops now,” he said, opening and closing his hands at his sides. His palms itched to get her into the house, but this was Garrick’s situation. “You’re going into the house with us like a good girl. Or we’ll drag you in. It’s your choice.”
Her chin lifted; her nostrils flared with her harsh breathing.
“You put me in the trunk!”
“That’s not an answer, Princess,” Garrick said from behind her. She winced, probably from Garrick tightening his fist in her hair.
She pinched her lips together as though she was thinking of something to say or do that could change the course of the afternoon. The woman really did not know when to give in. There was no other way out of this situation. No matter how hard she fought, they would fight harder.
“I’ll walk,” she finally ground out.
“Good.” Garrick released her, and she stumbled forward a step. Bastian grabbed her arms and steadied her before dropping his hands.
Garrick slammed the trunk shut and walked ahead of them to the back porch.
“You really did it this time.” Bastian gestured for her to walk up the stairs ahead of him.
“You don’t have to look so pleased about it.” She hurried up the steps.
“Oh good! You’re all here. I’ll get lunch ready for you…oh…” Charlotte’s welcoming smile faded as soon as her eyes landed on Garrick. She glanced toward Ariella. Dropping her shoulders, she gave a pitying smile. “Just let me know when you want something to eat, and I’ll get it fixed up for you.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Antoinette.” Bastian gave her a nod. “It could be a while.”
Charlotte gave a worried look toward Garrick, who had started walking already.
“Don’t worry; it will be fine,” Bastian assured her, reaching out to squeeze her hand as he led Ariella down the hall. At least their little siren hadn’t begged the older woman for help.
“Bastian, tell him to calm down.” Ariella insisted as they turned down the hall toward Garrick’s office. “He’s got Mrs. Antoinette thinking he’s going to kill me or something.”
“He’s not going to kill you, and she knows it,” Bastian assured her, slipping his hand around her elbow. “He’s going to punish you, though, and she knows that too.”
Ariella stopped dead in her tracks, throwing him a shocked look.
