Page 178 of I Will Break You

I swing out of bed as Amethyst lets her into the house, and put on a hoodie and a pair of joggers. Even if the house’s deed is in Melonie’s name, it still feels like she’s encroaching on my territory.

Mrs. Crowley’s voice carries upstairs, with her complaints about Amethyst’s social media presence. When she mentions public sex, I slip on my mask and walk out of the bedroom.

Who filmed Amethyst and me, and where were they hiding? The only person I saw in the graveyard was Jynxson. He’s been with me from nearly the beginning and would never stab me in the back.

At the mother’s spiteful words, I walk out of the bedroom and continue through the upstairs landing to the top of the stairs. Melonie Crowley holds Amethyst in a full nelson and is driving her into the wall.

My nostrils flare. What kind of mother brutalizes her own daughter?

“That’s enough!” I charge down the stairs, ready to throttle the older woman.

Melonie staggers backward, leaving Amethyst slumped against the wall. She turns to the front door, trying to escape, but her fingerprints won’t activate the security lock.

I gather Amethyst in my arms. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah,” she replies, still sounding shaken. Tears glisten in her eyes, and her creamy skin is flushed. I’ve never seen her look so miserable.

“Go to the kitchen while I have a word with your mother.”

Her eyes widen. “What are you going to do?”

“Don’t worry about her.”

“Xero,” she whispers.

“Go!”

When she doesn’t move, I walk her down the hallway toward the kitchen. Her gaze darts to the cupboard under the stairs, and she shudders.

“I won’t hurt her,” I murmur into her curls, “but nobody disrespects my girl.”

She breathes hard, her head bowing. “You’d better not.”

I press a kiss on her temple and guide her into a dining chair. “Just a few questions. Nothing more.”

After leaving Amethyst at the table, I turn to where Melonie Crowley still scrambles at the door. There’s a phone pressed to her ear, and she’s reciting Amethyst’s address.

“What are you doing, Mrs. Crowley?” I ask.

She whirls around, her eyes hardening. “I know who youare.”

I flash my teeth at her from behind the mask and continue stalking toward my prey. “Go on.”

“You’re the man from the video who assaulted my daughter.”

“Assaulted?” I raise a brow, but the expression is lost behind the black fabric. “A moment ago, you accused Amethyst of craving humiliation, degradation, and pain. Now, you’re calling me a rapist. Make up your mind.”

Her nostrils flare. “You don’t scare me.”

“Then you’re foolish.”

“I’ve already called the police.”

My hand whips out and snatches her throat. “Then I’d better make what I’m about to do quick.”

“Let go of me, you deviant—” I cut off her tirade and slam her in the wall with twice the amount of force she used against Amethyst.

Wincing, she cries out but still manages to jab me in the ribs. The punch barely makes an impact, but I’m impressed with her attempt to fight. She brings her knee between my legs, but I move out of range.

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