The Soldier's Hostage

Chapter Twelve

I didn't bring up what I had been spouting while drunk and Arthur didn't say anything about it other than some mild teasing about how much of a lightweight I was. I couldn't really dispute him on that one so I ducked my head and took it with a blush. I was used to much worse than light hearted teasing so it wasn't that big of a deal.

It only last for about a day anyways. Then something else took up his attention.

I had been most of the way through dinner when Arthur had stalked in the door after work. The hairs on the back of my neck had risen in fear when I realized he was angry. Really angry. The door to his office slammed behind him, making me flinch. Then I was wincing as thumps and hisses sounded periodically.

The office door opened and I froze as Arthur stalked out. I expected him to grab a beer from the fridge like usual. Instead, he dug into the cabinets, looking for something else. His frustration grew the longer it took him to find whatever it was. He abruptly lost his patience, taking a step back and dropping his hands to his sides as he quietly seethed.

"Where the hell did my Jieger go?"

I swallowed, hesitating as I remembered where I had put the dark green bottle of hard liquor. I reached for the proper cabinet, hands shaking. I pulled it down and offered it to him. He took it from me, snatching it from my hand. I didn't believe he had meant to do it that way, but he was doing everything with an inhuman quickness.

"Danke." He took a long drink as he turned for the couch. He yanked out his phone and tried to call someone. There was no answer. "Verdammnt!" Then he was calling someone else.

I took in a deep breath and tried to relax. I knew my own fear wouldn't help him calm. The faster I got back to normal, the faster he would too. I quickly took a look around, looking for Angel. The playful kitten was an irritation to him at best. It would be best to keep her out of his way for as long as possible. When I finally spotted her, my heart skipped a beat.

I dropped what I was doing on the stove, but it was too late. Arthur had settled on the couch, placing a hand over his eyes as he gave up trying to contact whoever he had been trying to call. So he wasn't watching as Angel, perched on the edge of the coffee table, tamped her back feet in preparation to spring into his lap. She flew through the air and landed dead center between his legs with all four feet.

Arthur groaned, curling forward in pain. I hurried forward when he lifted Angel into the air by the scruff of her neck. She mewed pitifully, tail curling up between her legs in the picture of discomfort. Gathering her to me, I frowned down at Arthur in concern as he stayed hunched over.

"Are you okay?"

"I just took a furball to the groin. What do you think?"

"Is there anything I can-" I inhaled sharply when he reached up, grasping a handful of my shirt and dragging me down. He turned a red gaze up to me and I trembled as I slowly sank down to my knees at his feet. His lips parted, revealing his fangs as he pulled me forward, leaning towards my throat. I closed my eyes as I waited for him to bite me. Angel squirmed in my hands and mewed again.

The sound stopped Arthur, freezing him with jaws parted inches from my throat and hot breath ghosting over my flesh. He slowly withdrew, forcing himself to untangle his claws from my shirt. "Get out. Take your little pet, and get out of my sight until I can deal."

I nodded frantically, struggling to my feet and moving on shaking legs towards the door with Angel held tightly in my arms. I slid out the door and hesitated for a moment, breathing harshly and struggling not to break down. I wasn't sure how long I stayed there.