“Fuck my brother.”

“Besides, I thought I was your little monster.”

I take her arms and lead her out of my room into the hallway, where the sun is almost too bright after the dark of my bedroom. As if out here, we’re exposed. Our dirty little secret is out in the open.

There’s movement at the end of the hall, and I spy Miriam disappearing into one of the empty guest rooms. I don’t bother with her, though. Now isn’t the time although given what I’ve learned, she’ll need to be dealt with. Instead, I march Mercedes into her bedroom.

“Get dressed. Then go downstairs and have breakfast. And after that, return to this room and read or do yoga or whatever it is you do but do not leave this room until I come for you.”

“Whatever it is I do? You’re such a fucking jerk, you know that?”

“Do you hear me?”

“So I’m sent to my room again like an errant child? Why? What did I do?”

“Do I need to ask Miriam to lock the door after breakfast?”

She exhales. “Just go do whatever it is you do if you’re so desperate to be away from me. Maybe Theron will appreciate my company—”

I back her into a corner and slam a hand against the wall. She jumps.

“I forbid you to seek out my brother.”

“You forbid me?”

“I forbid you. Am I clear?”

“I haven’t been forbidden to do something since my father passed away. I won’t be forbidden by you.”

“He’s dangerous, Mercedes. Stay away from him.”

“The only danger is you, Judge.”

I blink, draw in too thin air. When Mercedes and I come together, it’s like fire and ice. A battle of wills. Two beasts with our jaws on each other’s jugulars. For one to win, the other must lose, but what will the cost be?

“You don’t want me. Why do you care if I see him or not?”

“It’s not that I don’t want you. I can’t have you, Mercedes.”

“Because you don’t allow yourself.”

I sigh. She won’t understand. She can’t. “I don’t want to see you hurt, and he will hurt you.”

“You’re impossible. Your demands are impossible!”

“Enough!” She winces as if physically struck. “You’ll do as I say, or you’ll face the consequences. Am I clear?”

“Yeah, you’re fucking clear as mud.”

I open my mouth but close it again and walk out the door, leaving her staring after me. Being exactly the jerk she accused me of being.

29

Mercedes