I lower the volume on the walkie and open the door. Through the crack, I see Skylar looking up at me, sitting exactly where I left her.
Mine.
Let them try to take her from me.
I fucking dare them.
“Speak, Papa.” I close the door and head over to my kitchen, out of earshot. “I’m busy over here.”
“See, Jett, Grandpa and I are getting suspicious.”
Grandpa grunts his approval in the background.
I say nothing.
“We need proof that you’re not protecting her. Or worse, keeping her. Can’t let your first living-hide be your wife. You need to kill her.”
“She isn’t ready.” I fake boredom as best I can.
“You can still hurt her.” Before I tell himover my dead body, he adds, “That’s why I’m ordering you to bring her over here. To bear witness to her sister being tortured and murdered.”
Bronwyn’s had it coming—the pain, the humiliation.
Skylar, on the other hand, deserves love. Protection.
She shouldn’t be dragged into my family’s sickness. I’m not sure she can handle it. I don’twanther to handle it.
Then again…
This might not be such a bad idea.
I think, deep down, Skylar fantasizes about hurting Bronwyn. Maybe even killing her herself.
I see it in the dark glimmer in her eyes whenever her twin’s name comes up. It’s in the way her nostrils flare, then her cheeks redden with shame over her murderous desires.
Yeah, she wants it.
True revenge, not a talk. Not closure.
She’s after Bronwyn’s blood.
I can’t give her that. But I can offer her the next best thing.
Watching my family murder her evil twin.
“Fine by me.”
“Fine? Just like that?”
“Yes, fine.” As long as none of them gets close to Skylar. “When do we start?”
“That’s my boy.” My dad’s acceptance is too little, too late. I never needed it, and now, I need it even less. “Bring her over here in an hour.”
“I still think something fucking weird is going on, I’ll tell you that.” Jett must’ve asked for the walkie, sounding disappointed that I didn’t put up a fight.
My lips twist into a snarl. “Only weird thing is you shoving your nose where it don’t belong.”
I’m about to head downstairs when my brother adds, “Give her a big meal before you two come over. I want her throwing up all over the room.”
