I watched William Vance's face contort with another spasm of pain. His earlier demands had curdled into something resembling humility, but I wasn't in a forgiving mood.
"Please leave my home immediately!" I repeated, my voice firm.
Vance clutched his chest and doubled over, a strangled sound escaping his throat. His men exchanged worried glances.
"Mr. Knight," one of them began, "my employer is in severe distress. Surely you—"
"Surely I what?" I cut him off. "Should drop everything because William Vance snaps his fingers? I'm not a dog to be summoned."
The man stepped toward me, his face darkening. "Listen, you arrogant little—"
I didn't let him finish. My hand moved faster than his eyes could track, connecting with his cheek. The impact sent him flying across my living room, crashing into the wall with enough force to rattle my bookshelves.
Silence fell over the room. The man slumped to the floor, conscious but dazed. A trickle of blood ran from the corner of his mouth.
