Page 28 of The Incredible Ordinary

“Let go of me. Get your fucking hands off! I will fucking kill you!” the kid rages. He slams his elbow into my jaw before I manage to push him against the wall.

I’d call the behavior unhinged if it weren’t for the fact that his eyes are wide with fear, and he’s practically trembling with terror he’s clearly trying to suppress.

“Milàn?” Aiden sounds alarmed. “The fuck is happening?”

“Your guess is as good as mine.” I’m breathing harshly from the effort of keeping him still.

I let him go the moment he stops struggling and stumble backward, leaning against the front door. Rory has his back pressed against the wall opposite me, his eyes darting between me and Aiden and the walls as if looking for an escape route.

“Okay,” Aiden says faintly. “Okay. Let’s just all…”

His voice dies. Neither of us is equipped to deal with this, and we’re both still startled about the over the top reaction.

“No one is going to hurt you here,” Aiden says, locking his gaze with Rory’s. His tone is impressively calm. My hands are shaking when I drag them through my hair.

Rory scoffs.

“Can we all just go and sit down in the living room?” Aiden asks.

I draw in a deep breath and nod, pushing myself off the door.

Rory’s eyes flick to the door.

“You’re not trapped here,” I say. “Just… give us a moment. If you don’t like what we have to say, we’ll figure out some other arrangement for you.”

His jaw clenches again.

I sigh and try to breathe off that feeling of being on the edge.

“We’ll just talk,” I say in a low voice.

I step closer, and he takes a step back.

I hold both my hands up in front of myself.

He pushes himself more firmly against the wall.

“I will go past you to the living room. You’ll follow. Nobody will be blocking your way to the door. Okay?”

I drag my fingers through my hair again.

“Don’t touch me,” he blurts.

I put my hands up again and nod toward the living room.

I walk past him.

Aiden meets my gaze when I sit down at the table, eyes wide, gaze alert.

Neither of us says anything while we wait.

There’s a soft shuffling of feet before Rory appears in the doorway. He doesn’t come any farther.

We’re all still.

Waiting.

I blow out a breath.