- DEX -
Lawson and I have been stuck together in the small waiting room for hours. His presence is only grating more and more on my nerves, especially because the terror of being taken and strapped to a chair has apparently already started to wear off.
I want to see him shaking and cowering at my feet—broken and begging for forgiveness. But that's not what's happening. He's quieter than usual, but that's it. It's not enough.
"What did Pa say to you?" I ask finally, pausing my pacing in front of where he's seated and glaring down at him.
Lawson's eyes flick up to mine and then away. "To be happy with COO or I'm being demoted."
He starts fidgeting with his hands, staring at the distant television that is droning on in the background. I still haven't given him his phone back, and he's been forced to be alone with his thoughts and the depressing room that we're in rather than having a distraction.
"That's it?"
