Page 101 of Fragile Facade
I lean in, not wanting to be overheard. “You know why he goes mute sometimes?”
Ransom nods. When I widen my eyes at him, asking him to tell me, he shakes his head. “Not my story.”
“No, but he sure as shit ain’t gonna tell it, so fill me in so I know how to be there for him.” Fuck, did that seriously just come out of my mouth? Why am I so selfless lately?
Ransom looks a little surprised, but he doesn’t comment. “It’s just because he spent so much time yelling and screaming and begging for help for the first eight years of his life that he can’t stand the sound of his own voice sometimes. He was made mute when he screamed. They stitched his lips together or…” Ransom clears his throat, becoming furious on behalf of Monster.
“Fuck. Is he…?” I don’t know, okay? It’s a stupid question because, of course he’s not, but he’s strong, and if he needs to turn off his voice sometimes to stay strong, I’ll support him in it.
“We’ve never been able to track that woman down. The one who had him all those years. I’d love nothing more than to help him get his vengeance.” Ransom looks at me. “If we survive this shit with Reaper Corp, I wanna give him that. You think Vile House will have his back?”
“Fucking always, man. Always.” I’d do anything for one of my Vile House brothers because I know what they mean to me and what I mean to them. “Andwe willsurvive this shit. We’ll get Monster his monster.”
Ransom nods, and with that, I get up and head over to Krypt. “Come on, asshole. We gotta chat.”
* * *
Krypt has beenmy best friend for years. I mean, friendship is a loose term when it comes to the two of us because we aren’t really the sentimental, companionable type, but whatever. The title sticks, and now that he’s with my brother, there’s one more layer of attachment.
But I’m nervous, and I fucking hate being nervous. Because he’s looking at my neck like it pisses him off, but he’s looking atmelike I’m pissing him off more. Proven true when he lights a joint to calm himself down.
It’s mid-afternoon and Remi is at The Ambient Raven, Killian is out doing god knows what, and it’s the best time to catch Krypt undistracted and alone. I’ve got a million things to think about with my mom, my lame-ass cursed family members, the brain scan that was forced upon me, and this upcoming war with Reaper Corp, but… Krypt is my best friend, and I’m doing selfless things lately.
“Get the fuck on with it, Ghost.”
“Your brother ismyfucking asshole,” I bark.
He smokes like I never said anything. Meanwhile, I’m sweating because I just confessed my biggest downfall. I’m roundabout dating his brother and trying to do the decent thing by giving him a heads-up. I’m not asking for permission because he sure as fuck didn’t ask for permission to date mine, if that’s what they’re doing, so fuck him and fuck this whole situation.
I pace the hall of the asylum, ready to slink down the tunnel and escape him and this conversation forever. Instead, I get pissed off.
“You hear me?”
“Yeah.”
“Nothing to say?” I get in his face, watching his monsters rile. “No threats? No warnings? Nothing?”
Krypt inhales weed and blows it to the side, watching me. “Think you meant to say, ‘your brother is fucking my asshole.’ Right?”
I shove him so hard his back slams against the wall. “Fuck you, Krypt!” I shout as he lets out a huff of laughter. “Maybe I fuck his asshole.”
“Nah.” He leans against the wall like this is no big deal and gives me the slowest once over. “You’re bottom.”
I glare at him, partway between offended and proud. “Like fuck.” How dare he assume I’m the bottom. What makes me the bottom? How does he know? Bottoms are dominant as fuck, and so what if I like giving up a bit of control to Killian.
Krypt holds out his joint, and I snatch it from his fingers and keep pacing. “I wanna say he deserves better, but to be honest, you both sorta just deserve each other, so go for it. If you kill him, I’ll kill you.”
I face away from him and roll my eyes. “Yeah, I’m sure Remi will just love the fuck outta you if you kill his brother.”
“He’s mine no matter how much he hates me.” God, they’re pathetic. “I know.”
I turn, walking back towards him. “You know what?”
“That you… I don’t know, love him?”
What the fuck?“No.”Yes?
“I saw it in Reaper City. I always knew you two would blow up. Just didn’t think it’d be like this. Do me a favour, though.”
