Dead Girl Walking ― Aaron Minyard

19. wolves

how i survived, i can't believe
i almost let him get his claws in
still knocks the wind right outta me
― jensen mcrae

[trigger warnings: riko, intimidation, emetophobia, physical assault/violence; mentions of sexual abuse/assault]

♦

RIKO, PREDICTABLY, FOLLOWED THEM OFF-STAGE. He behaved until they were in the hallway, but as soon as they were alone, Riko caught Neil by the shoulders and threw him up against the wall. 

Mara started toward them, but that was all she could do. It was like her feet were glued to the floor.

"I do not approve, Kevin," Riko said. "You should get rid of him as soon as possible."

"You saw our game last night," Kevin said quietly. "He has potential."

"Potential." Riko slammed Neil against the wall again and whirled on Kevin and Mara, side-by-side in the face of his fury. "You said that goalkeeper had potential and then wrote him off as useless when I offered him to you. You'll get bored of this one just as quickly. Believe me."

Kevin looked away. Riko made a disgusted noise.

"Pathetic," Riko said in Japanese. "How far has your team of rejects dragged you?"

"They have a chance," Kevin said weakly. 

"Hardly," Riko snarled back. "And now you drag Mara down with you? How low have you sunk to steal her away from me, from her home? Aren't you the one who abandoned her in the first place?" He turned toward Mara. She wished the ground would swallow her whole. "I expect you back in the spring. The sooner you sign the transfer papers, the better."

Mara's throat felt like it was made of sandpaper, but she managed to say, "I'm not going back."

Riko's laugh was a snarl. "I don't think I heard you right," he said, taking another step toward her. "Remember your place, Elizabeth. Or need I remind you of where that is? I could always give your father's assistant a call—what was her name again? Lola? I'm sure she'd jump at the chance to help me put you back in your place. Or maybe I'll give her Jean for a day—you always get so defensive over him."

Mara felt sick. She forced herself to look away before she could actually throw up at the sight of his wicked face. Her voice was infuriatingly weak as she said, "This has nothing to do with him."

Riko reached up, grabbing her chin to force her face back toward him. "Look at me when I'm speaking to—"

Neil grabbed Riko's shirt from the back, yanking him back and startling him enough to make him drop his hand from Mara's face, though the burning brand of his fingerprints remained. "Leave them alone."

Riko's expression twisted into something feral. He reached for Neil, but Kevin caught his arm to stop him. Riko slammed his elbow back into Kevin's face without missing a beat. Mara grabbed Kevin as he cradled his cheek. Riko paid her no mind, already looking for Neil again when Andrew appeared like a phantom.

"Riko," Andrew said, spreading his arms as if he intended to hug Riko hello. "It's been a while."

Riko jerked back a bit in surprise, started to school his expression into something more civil, and gave up when he realized who had joined them. 

"We were just talking about you," Riko said. 

"With your fists, it seems," Andrew said. "Don't touch my things, Riko. I don't share."