Chapter 2 - THE THREAT
The man dropped to his knees, his hands surrounding the toddler's shivering ribs.
He pulled her into his lap, his white shirt crumpling against her tear-soaked cheeks.
The girl sobbed into his chest, her plastic-button eyes on the plush bunny buried in his forearm.
"Daddy..." she hiccuped.
The man stood up slowly, keeping the girl cradled against his left ribs with one arm.
He stepped directly into the woman's path, his dark trousers blocking the light from the front door.
His chest rose and fell in heavy, ragged cycles.
He pointed a thick, steady finger at her pale face.
"Touch her again!" he roared, his voice shaking the framed family portraits along the corridor.
"Touch her again!"
The woman cowered against the wall, her hands coming up to shield her face.
Her green silk blouse was rumpled, her pristine composure entirely shattered.
"She... she was being unruly, Mark," she stammered, her voice thin.
The toddler pressed her small face against her father’s neck, her tiny hand reaching out.
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She didn't point at the woman.
She pointed toward the heavy, dark oak cabinet standing at the end of the hall.
