Chapter Twenty-Five: Pride and Passion
"We'll meet again, and you'll both pay dearly for this humiliation!" Dough spat, shooting daggers at Liam and Ava. "Watch your backs!"
His parting words hung heavy in the air as Dough stormed out of the cinema lobby, leaving an uncomfortable silence in his wake. Ava flinched slightly at the venom in Dough's tone but quickly composed herself.
Liam noticed her moment of discomfort and moved in slightly closer, his presence reassuring. "Don't worry, he's all mouth. Dough couldn't make good on threats like that even if he tried."
His low murmur reached Ava's ears, calming her in a way she didn't fully understand. She tried shaking it off with a defensive quip. "I'm not scared. I can take care of myself just fine."
Liam raised his hands in surrender. "Never said you couldn't. Let's just forget that little scene and focus on why we're here tonight."