"Because I care about you, and I care about Karen," he says, more like a gauntlet tossed back across a line than real endearment. Twisting the cap back on the bottle, he swings it idly in his hand, hitting that punchy side of terror and liquid courage. "And if you let your bullshit eat her alive, I'll make you spit her out."

The how of it can be left to Frank's imagination, Kira unsteady on unsteady ground, tossing the bottle at his chest. "Fucking keep it, I'm done."

It sounds more final than it is; Kira tells Aurora to stay, and she only follows him to the stairs before a tremor sends her straight back to Frank, whimpering and trying to hide in his armpit.