Page 49 of We Three Kings

Her head shakes across my chest. “No. We were allowed in the kitchen during mealtimes and the bathroom when we needed to use it. But the rest of the time we had to stay in our room. I guess that’s why we both had such good grades. We didn’t have anything else to do but read and study.”

Her laugh doesn’t sound bitter the way it should. She continues to amaze me.

“Thank goodness for the school library. I think I read every single book they had. One time I brought home so many the strap on my old backpack finally broke.”

The humor seeps away, and my body tightens from the despair in her tone.

“Melissa was going to spank me, but Gabriel wouldn’t let her and said it wasn’t my fault. She was so furious she told Craig when he got home from work, and he punched Gabe in the stomach.”

There seems to be more. As if her brother being worked over wasn’t enough to make her voice quiver. “Then what happened?”

“He made me promise never to tell anyone, but I guess since he’s gone, it’s okay now.”

I lift up and press my lips to the top of her head. “You can trust me angel.”

“I know.”

Thank fuck she knows. A huge sigh blows against my skin.

“Craig didn’t like it that Gabriel was old enough to stand up to Melissa. He kept punching him and sayingyou’re not a big man like you think you are. The next day Gabriel was in such bad shape at school that they called an ambulance for him. He lied and told everyone he got hit too hard in football practice because if Craig got in trouble Melissa probably would have beat me.”

God damn it. “That’s fucked up.”

“I kept hoping somehow the doctor would figure out the truth, but he didn’t. I wanted someone to know what was happening to us and help us. No one ever did. He came home from the hospital three days later and nothing changed.”

Unbelievable. How could they all have been so blind? “I don’t understand how they could’ve missed it.”

No answer. We both stew in our thoughts for a while. She quiets down while I make my plans for revenge. Her foster parents will suffer at my hand too. They’re going to learn the pain and indignity of gut punches and ass whippings.

“I guess that’s why Casey shocked me. I was used to it with them, but he always seemed nice.”

A slight smile graces her face when she looks up at me. “Now that I’m with you, I really know what nice is.”

“You are with me, and I’m not letting you go.”

The worry that always flickers in her expression vanishes, and she burrows back in, content with my claim on her.

Although I’m not nice or good or anything she deserves, it’s too late to accept anything but us together.

Seraphina

Istand up from my desk when the front doors slide open and a girl with super cute fuzzy pink gloves and scarf heads toward me with a white bag in one hand and a bottle of my favorite flavored water in the other.

“Delivery for Snow.”

“That’s me. Thank you very much.”

With a quick nod, she sets my food and drink on the counter. “Enjoy.”

“Thanks!”

She’s already jogging out as I respond. Lunch rush keeps her busy, I’m sure.

I peek inside the huge sack.

Sushi.

My heart flutters from Balthazar’s sweetness. When I had the rolls for the first-time last night and enjoyed them, he sent me more today.

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