Pay

"I don't need to discuss anything, just get me my daughter," Mary retorted, refusing to back down.

He literally kidnapped Alisha. Who does he think he is? It's despicable. What is there to talk about?

She doesn't understand, and she doesn't want to understand. All she wants is Alisha; everything else is secondary.

"I said, tone down your voice, old lady. I'm not doing anything to you because my Angel is close to you. But if you direct this attitude towards my mom, I swear..." Alice let his words hang, leaving the threat implied.

He believed she would understand the rest on her own. He knew he wouldn't come across as innocent or kind.

Mary was startled by his tone and warning. She clenched her fists in anxiety and anger. "I want Alisha," she said, her voice lower this time.

"Good. But you're not getting her," Alice declared, raising his eyebrows.

He was relieved that Mary had lowered her tone. He usually hated disrespect, but yelling or a disrespectful tone of voice pressed his buttons