Louisa released a scream of rage and backhanded my cheek.

"Don't you fucking touch her." Thomas lunged toward her, and he must've whipped her over the head.

She dropped and thudded next to me, releasing a shuddery, pained breath.

"Enough!" Faust shouted. "You owe me, Thomas. Let Louisa walk out of here just as I let you leave Old Man's Den."

"You didn't let me," Thomas said. "And I owe you nothing but pain."

"Louisa, walk out ...