All Lights On Us

Chapter 22: Live in the Moment

KLARA POV

"What if I told you I already have the client lists?" Joey challenged Bishop.

The guilt burns my veins. I keep making the situations worse. Something inside of me snapped. I made a fast decision to throw away who I used to be, and to thrive in who I can be. Someone who people are scared to walk over. Someone who felt no regret. It didn't work, but I'm doing my best to pretend.

"You're lying," I choke through his arm pressed against my throat.

This is so much more fun when Bishop is doing the choking.

"I'd ask, what the fuck do you want then?" Bishop creeps forward another step.

Joey is silent for a second. I'm about to start doubling my efforts to get loose when he shoves me forward into Bishop's arms. I cuddle into his chest and hide my face. Just wanting to disappear.

I peak at the monster standing straight and proud. He's already looking at me when my eyes catch his. The gaze softens slightly, but I don't allow myself to be dragged into any kind of positive feelings to do with him.

"What do you want?" I ask slowly.

He shrugs and I can practically feel Bishop's eyes darting around the room for a way to escape. Joey's pause is obviously an attempt on his part to dramatize everything.

"For starters, I want Frank to come back from the dead. I want Tommy's head on a silver platter. I want you to come with me when I go back to Mexico. I want Bishop Cade to stay away from you." His shoulders lift sarcastically as if to say, "that's all".

"Over my dead body." I snap.

"Mine too," Bishop's threatening voice follows.

Joey's grin sends shivers down my spin. His eyes pierce into Bishop.

"That can be arranged," his jaw tightens. "But, I'd rather not make my daughter hate me even more than she already does."

He pouts at me and I want to give him the same treatment I gave Frank.

"I'm not leaving." I keep my voice firm but Joey just waves me off with his gun and turns to look out the long window.

"Klara, you don't have a clue. Go now, and take your boyfriend with you. I have plans that I need to set in motion."

He stays where he is, staring outside. Bishop starts dragging me toward the door but I can't remove my stare from the back of Joey's head.

"What plans? What about Tommy? I'll die before I go anywhere with you."

"I expect Bishop will keep you safe for a little while longer. Go, Klara. Finish school. Live life the way you know it for as long as you can. Your high school diploma is important," Joey finally turns to look at me. "Don't take this privilege for granted. I'll talk to you in a few weeks."

Bishop finally wins and is able to fully drag me through the house, down the stairs, and out the front door. My head spins. What the hell just happened?

We're quiet the entire trip home. Bishop had reached over to hold my hand, but I could hardly feel it.

"What do we do now?" I ask after we've sat silently in the jeep for far too long.

Bishop sighs. He's as exhausted as me.

"We do as he says. We live life. We go to school. W-"

"We wait? We sit around and wait for him to take me? To kill you? To follow through with what he's threatening?" I exclaim and snatch my hand back. "Bishop Cade, I will not wait."