In a world ruled by fear, survival comes with a price.
When her brother's attempt to overthrow the Saviors fails, Tessa finds herself under Negan's watchful eye-protected, controlled, and dangerously close to the man she should hate. As violence, po...
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Dwights words cut through Tessa like a knife. His comments were left lingering in her mind.
Suddenly, the lock turned, quickly snapping Tessa out of her thoughts.
Carl came out first, eyes red but steady. Negan followed, Lucille balanced on his shoulder like he barely remembered he was holding it. His eyes went straight to Tessa.
Not rushed. Not surprised. Just...assessing.
She stepped toward Carl before she could stop herself, and Carl stepped toward her too. The Saviors shifted but didn't intervene. Negan's lips curved.
"Well," he said lightly, "ain't this something."
Carl looked between all of them. Negan, Tessa, The Saviors, like he was trying to figure out who was the biggest threat. Negan clapped Carl on the shoulder. "We're heading out."
Tessa inhaled sharply. Before she could speak Negan's gaze cut to her, sharp and casual all at once.
"Oh, and sweetheart?" he added.
"Get moving, you're coming with."
Her heart stopped. Her hands felt cold, but her face felt hot. Her pulse hammered in her ears.
Negan took a few steps toward her, closing the distance with deliberate ease. When he reached her, he places a hand at her waist firm, calming, guiding.
Not gentle. Not cruel. Just controlled.
The slow-burn hot her like a spark she instantly regretted feeling.
The contact made her breath catch. Her skin felt too aware. She hated that he noticed. Negan smirked at her reaction like he'd been expected it.
"Let's go," he murmured, giving her waist a brief tug to pull her forward as he steered her towards the truck. The Saviors didn't miss the gesture, neither did Carl.
He was simply taking her with him. Carl followed close beside her, jaw clenched so tight it looked painful.
When they reached the truck, Negan finally let his hand fall away, but not before his thumb brushed her hip, a movement that made her stomach tighten with anger, fear, and something she couldn't name.
Carl climbed in first. Tessa followed, her legs moving on instinct because everything inside her was screaming not to resist.
Negan swings into the drivers seat, glanced at them in the mirror and grinned.
"Daryl!" Negan shouts.
"You seem worried, so Im taking the kid home. Tessa here is joining us."
"If you do anything to them-" Daryl murmured.
"Dwight! Daryl needs a time-out, but him back in his box for a while"
Negan revved the engine once and stuck his arm out the window long enough to flip Daryl off as they pulled away.
