A Slip of the Needle

"Why didn't you answer any of my calls?" Limping and holding the railing at the stairway, Dante glared at Clara.

"I was busy," Clara casually replied, trying to brush past Dante to head back to her room.

Without warning, Dante wrapped his arm around Clara's waist, pulling her into his embrace.

Startled, Clara instinctively pushed him away. "Let go of me," she demanded.

Dante tightened his grip, wi