Page 52 of Silent Oaths
Ishove away from the bed, stomping toward the door, my bare feet slapping against the cold wood floor.Angerfuels me asIstorm through the hall, down the stairs, and straight into the kitchen, where the three brothers stand like it’s just another day.
Likethey didn’tkidnapme.
Likethey didn’tstealmonths of my life.
LikeIdon’t dream of sinking a knife into each of them just to see how they’d bleed.
Thesound of their conversation grates against my nerves, their casual demeanor making my fury bubble over.
“Youthink this is normal?”Myvoice comes out screechy.
Threesets of eyes turn to me.
“Youthink you can just give me gifts and snacks and expect me to forget what you did?”Mypulse roars in my ears. “Youkidnappedme.Youruined my life.Ihateyou!”
Mybreath heaves.
Noneof them speak.
“Iwish you were dead.”Myvoice cracks, butIdon’t care. “Iwish all of you were fucking dead.”
Silence.
Mybody trembles from the force of it all, my heart hammering so violently,Ifeel it in my throat.
Andstill, they just stand there as ifIhaven’t just declared war.
Itear up the portraitJuliangave me in half, then into quarters, letting the torn pieces flutter to the floor like dead leaves.
WhenIlook atJulian, emotion flashes across his eyes.It’sgone as soon as it appears, but it’s there.Good.
Butit’s not enough.
Iturn, stalking into the dining room.Myfingers curl around the back of a chair, andIlift it and hurl it at the window.Theimpact rattles through the room, but the glass barely splinters.
“Letme out!”Iscream, grabbing the chair again and slamming it against the window, over and over.Mythroat burns with every desperate, furious cry. “Letme the fuck out!”
Armswrap around me from behind, locking me in place.
“Calmdown,”Maxwellmurmurs against my ear.
“Don’ttouchme.”Myvoice shatters asIthrash, kicking at his legs, twisting against his grip, but he’s stronger.
Thefight drains out of me faster thanIwant it to.Asob claws its way up my throat, and no matter how hardItry to choke it down, it breaks free.Mymuscles go slack for just a second as he holds me tighter, whispering, “Shhh, just breathe.”
Againstmy better judgment,Ido.
Ihateit.
Mybody melts into his, his warmth seeping into my bones.
Ijerk against him, but he’s already lifting me likeIweigh nothing.Hestrides into the living room and lays me down on the couch.TheodoreandJulianfollow, silently watching from the edges of the room.
Maxwellgrabs a blanket from the armrest and drapes it over me, butIshove it away. “Getthe fuck away from me!”Mythroat is raw from screaming.Itry to sit up, but my limbs feel sluggish.Iopen my mouth to yell again, but?—
Smack.
Thesting explodes across my cheek, silencing me instantly.
