Page 1 of Toxic Obsession

Prologue

My bedroom door flew open, startling the shit out of me.

“Quinn, Brody needs your help,” my twin sister Bellamy said, her cheeks flushed, most likely from her frantic race up the stairs to find me.

I tossed my chemistry book to the side before I jumped off my bed. “Where is he?”

“In the kitchen with Dad.” Her voice climbed in pitch with each word. She motioned for me to hurry, then pulled on her long brown braid. Bell was scared as hell if she was tugging on her hair.

I grabbed her hand, nearly dragging her behind me as I hurried into the hall and down the stairs.

Brody’s scream tore through the mansion and my heart clawed its way into my throat. “That motherfucker.” I reached the main floor and took off running, my bare feet slapping against the white and black marble floors as I hauled ass toward the shriek.

Tearing around the corner, I screeched to a halt and silently walked into the kitchen. My fists clenched and unclenched, ready to deal with the bastard. Father seemed oblivious that I was in the room, his cheeks red with rage as he held Brody by the front of his grey polo shirt and hit my younger brother in the face.

“You little punk. You’re a pathetic excuse for a son,” he growled.

Brody’s lip split open and a trickle of blood ran down his chin. He thrashed about, trying to break free from Father’s grasp.

“Get your hands off him.” I took a menacing step toward him, my eyes blazing with rage. Father’s grip on Brody slackened and he let him go.

Brody stumbled to the ground, and I hurried over to him, crouching and scanning for signs of injury other than to his mouth.

Without thinking, I rushed forward and barreled into Father with my shoulder. He hit the floor with a loud thud and floundered beneath me as I pinned him down. My fist connected with his nose, and his warm blood coated my knuckles. I pulled my hand back again, ready to pummel him into unconsciousness when I heard Bell call to me from across the room. “Quinn! Don’t do it! He’s not worth your future.”

I struggled to get a hold of my anger and reminded myself that if my brother and sister witnessed me killing Father, it would scar them for life. But I kept my fist raised, urging him to challenge me just once more so I could finish him off for good.

From the corner of my eye, I spotted Bell watching us closely and ushering Brody behind her protectively. Blood bloomed from his lower lip, and I winced. I should have gotten to him sooner.

“Get him cleaned up.” I returned my attention to the piece of shit father I shared a last name with. “Touch him again, Adam, and I’ll fucking kill you.” My voice was low, full of venom.

He hated it when I referred to him by his first name, but he didn’t deserve to be called Dad or Father.

I seethed as I climbed off him, taking a step back in case he may still have a spark of energy left to battle me. A twisted part of me hoped he would find the courage to get up and fight so I could beat him to death, then spit on his lifeless body when they lowered his casket in the ground. Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I backed out of the kitchen. Adam had recently started in on Brody, and I wouldn’t tolerate it. He’d beaten my ass until I was fourteen, so it was only a few years ago when I had finally put him in his place. I’d worked hard to develop my strength in order to be able to take him down and defend myself.

At least now I was a junior in high school, and I could get the hell out of the house as soon as I graduated. Fuck, I wasn’t even planning on staying in Forest Dale, Washington. If I had my way, I’d be relocating to Oregon and attending Whitmore University, where they were known for their exceptional football program. I had every intention of being drafted and playing for the NFL, and Whitmore would provide me exposure to recruiters.

I headed back toward my room, wondering if Bell had taken my younger brother there to calm him down. I’d installed a lock on my door not long ago, so it was a safe place to hide when Adam was at his worst. My fists clenched so hard my knuckles turned white, and my chest tightened in anger. I was known for my temper at school, but it had all started with Adam. Fortunately, I was able to channel the rage through football, where I could tackle and hit motherfuckers without a second thought.

Hurrying down the hall, I passed both Brody’s and Bell’s rooms and reached mine. I attempted to turn the handle, but it didn’t budge.

“Bell, it’s Quinn. Let me in.”

Seconds later, the lock clicked, and the door cracked open. One hazel eye peeked through the opening before Bell moved back and allowed me in.

Brody sat on my bed, tears streaming down his cheeks. His brown hair stuck up in every direction, and his red-rimmed eyes peered up at me.

“Hey, man.” I sat next to him, the mattress creaking beneath my weight, and wrapped my arm around his scrawny shoulders. My little brother had just turned twelve, and even though he’d hit puberty, he wasn’t strong enough to take Adam. I hoped like hell he would be able to soon. Once he beefed up, he would be able to stand up to Adam, and I wouldn’t feel like a piece of shit for leaving him behind when I left for college.

I placed my finger beneath his chin and tilted it up. “Your lip is pretty busted up, but it’ll heal. I’ll get you some ice and Tylenol in a minute. Did he hit you anywhere else?”

His hand shook. “No. I—” He hiccupped. “I got a B on a test,” he explained, his voice trembling. “He said I was stupid.”

“Fucking asshole,” Bell said, pacing the carpeted floor. “Brody, you’re one of the smartest kids I know.” She hugged herself tight, as if trying to keep her emotions tucked inside.

Even though Bell and I were twins, her petite frame was five inches shorter than mine, and her features resembled my brother’s more than my own. Bell’s brown hair was behind her shoulder, and she fidgeted with the strings of her hoodie before pushing her hands deep into the pockets of her jeans.

“Quinn, you have to do something. We all realize he was building up to this. You and Iknowwhat he’s capable of.” Tears welled in her eyes until she shook her head and angrily swiped them away.

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