Page 46 of Auctioned to the Devil

“Didn’t need your hand for that.”

“Jesus Christ, man, let go.”

I tighten my grip.

He makes a strangled sound.

“Caleb.” Emily’s voice reaches me.

He spins around clutching his wrist. “You fucking psycho.”

Nobody moves.

Nobody defends him.

Knox stands near the register with his arms folded.

Jace watches from beside the cooler.

Neither looks surprised.

The tourist looks around for support.

“Did you people see that?”

Sally, somehow here now too, examines a jar of preserves.

“See what?”

He stares at her.

Then at me.

His face drains.

Someone must whisper the name.

Devil.

He backs away.

“She’s all yours, asshole.”

My body moves before my brain catches up.

Emily steps directly in front of me.

“No.”

Her palm presses against my chest. That gets me to stop.

The tourist leaves and Emily turns slowly. “What the hell was that?”

“He touched you.”

“He put his hand on my waist.”

“Without permission.”