Page 18 of Monsters

He nodded.

“What’s he like?”

“He’s tall. Bigger than Dad. Throws his weight around like he owns the place. Like he owns Mom.”

“I’m so sorry.” The last six months had proven to be tumultuous for the Carter family, and it didn’t seem to be improving.

“He’s taken an interest in Mason,” Lucas continued. “I don’t know whether it’s because he’s the eldest and he can handle more, but he’s always on his case. He comes into the house and makes himself at home, eats our food, leaves a mess and beats on my mother. Mason tries to stop him but is hit with the consequences of disobedience.”

My heart was pounding in my chest. “Has he hit you?”

“A few times.”

I hooked my arm through his, and together we fell onto our backs staring into the darkness at the twinkling stars.

“What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know.”

“Come stay with me, Lucas Carter.”

“Okay, Gemma Sinclair.”

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