Page 84 of Vile Boys

“What? How?” I mutter.

“I have my ways,” he says, tilting his head as he holds up the knife to show me. “Do you want to see for yourself?”

I shake my head. “Don’t hurt my mom.”

His voice is gravelly as he says, “Then break. Them. Up.”

“You’re a monster,” I tell him. “You’d rather destroy your father’s happiness than see him with a new wife.”

His hand slowly rises from my neck to my chin, his thumb brushing my bottom lip. “I can destroy you too if you’re not careful.”

“No,” I say.

He frowns and looks at Ares who beckons him, and he slowly steps away so Ares can confront me again.

“Oh, little rose …” Ares murmurs, towering over me. “Haven’t you learned yet we won’t stop until we have what we want?” I can see him smirk through that demonic mask. “If you won’t split them up, I’ll make it happen.” He holds up his knife, gazing at it like it’s some kind of toy. “It’s been such a long time since this blade last tasted some fear-drenched blood, and I’m sure your mother will be more than eager to run just like you.”

My eyes widen. “No. Don’t hurt her.”

I try to get up, but Ares shoves me down.

“Sit. Down,” Ares commands.

I swallow at the sight of his knife almost boring a hole into my forehead.

“Don’t hurt my mother, dammit,” I growl back.

Ares tilts his head. “And how are you going to stop me? Hmm? Indulge me.”

“You’re sick,” I hiss, the rain making my teeth chatter.

“You have no idea of the depravity I’m capable of.” He pushes the knife into my forehead, and I swallow away the lump in my throat as the blade slowly slides down my cheek and chin, as though Ares is carefully trying to peel away any resistance remaining in my body.

But I will not fucking fear him. I will not. I refuse.

And I will never, ever let them lay a hand on my mother.

“Take me.”

The knife pauses near the base of my neck.

“If you want to hurt her for her choice to love Jonathan, hurt me instead.”

The rain begins to subside while the two boys stare me down, their masks glinting with each strike of thunder.

“Crystal,” Caleb growls from underneath the mask. “Don’t fucking tempt me. Break. Them. Up. Or I will.”

“No,” I repeat. “They deserve their happiness.” I swallow down the cowardice building inside me. “And if you hold that much hatred against her, give it to me instead.”

A low, rumbling laugh emanates from deep within Ares’s chest, and he leans away, lowering the knife. “Well, isn’t this an interesting turn of events? The innocent little rose, offering her body up to the two most vicious men on campus.” His laugh abruptly ends as he pushes the knife into my chest. “You won’t survive.”

I take in a hampered breath. “Then I’ll die saving my mother.”

“Crystal …” Caleb groans, raising his head to the sky as droplets of rain still pitter-patter down from the sky occasionally. “Fine. Choose. Your mother or you.”

I take another deep breath before I sign away my life as I know it.

“Me.”

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