Axel pulled the car into the parking lot of Jaimie's school and cut the engine. He glanced at Marlon. "Are you coming in with me, or are you going to wait here while I pick him up?"
"I'll follow you," Marlon replied without hesitation. "I want to pick him up with you, and I'd like to see the kind of environment his class has."
Axel gave a small nod. "Fine. We can go together."
His eyes shifted to the back seat where Josh sat. "I'm going inside to pick my son up, and I want you to be a good boy and wait right here. If I come back and you're gone, it's over for you. I'll find you, and when I do, let's just say what happens next won't be pleasant. Understand?"
Josh's head bobbed so fast it was almost comical. His heart pounded as he took in Axel's words, made all the more unnerving by the man's wide, easy smile. How could someone look so approachable while delivering a threat like that? The contradiction was terrifying.
