Page 207 of Always Love You More

He locks gazes with Jameson, a cruel smile pulling at his lips as he motions to me. “Bet you’ll be right at home with her, won’t you? All you have to do to see her future is look at your mess of a mother?”

How does he …?

Before I can begin to piece together how Carson even knows about Jameson’s mother, he’s slammed up against the wall, a knife pressed against his throat.

“You know nothing about her,” Jameson grits out. “And nothing about my fucking mother.”

I watch, wide-eyed, as he forces the switchblade against Carson’s neck until he draws blood.

Carson’s gaze is wild, his fists curled at his side, before he shifts, kneeing Jameson between the legs. I stagger forward when Jameson lets out a hiss, dropping the knife away from Carson’s neck.

Billy throws himself into the fight, pulling Jameson out of the way and standing in his place. Carson swings at him, missing the first time but connecting with Billy’s stomach on the second attempt. Billy wheezes out a strained breath, but the hit only seems to fuel him.

Jameson joins in, and they both start throwing hit after hit until Carson’s legs give out and he drops to the ground.

I inch closer as Billy backs away, our eyes briefly meeting before we both turn back to Jameson.

He looks lost, his gaze hollow, vacant.

Carson has his arms curled around himself, but Jameson doesn’t stop.

“Jamie!” I call out, but he just keeps going at him.

I try again, yelling his name, but it’s like he can’t hear me.

Carson groans beneath him, his body starting to unfurl.

“Jamie, stop!” I scream. “You’re gonna kill him!”

Nothing.

Billy shoots me a look before stepping forward and dragging Jameson away. He fights at first, trying to shove Billy off of him.

“Jamie,” I breathe, and his gaze finally meets mine. He goes lax in Billy’s arms, the fight leaving him.

He blinks his eyes shut for a moment, and when they open, he’s back. He looks me over, zeroing in on the bruise that’s coloring my leg.

Anger flashes across his face, and he yanks free of Billy’s hold, moving to crouch down beside Carson, staring at him in a way that makes my gut churn.

Pure fucking hatred.

I hold my breath as he leans in, his voice menacing. “If you ever pull something like this again,” he growls, “I’ll kill you.”

Carson doesn’t answer, doesn’t move.

I’m not sure he could even if he wanted to.

His eyes are fixed on the ceiling as Jameson closes the space between them.

“Do you understand?”

It takes Carson a second, but he eventually nods.

I wrap my arms around myself as Jameson clicks his tongue, grabbing Carson’s face. “Look at me when I’m talking to you,” he demands, digging his fingers into the bruise that’s already forming on Carson’s cheek. “And answer me properly.”

“I understand,” Carson struggles.

Jameson lets go roughly, shoving his head back. “Don’t make me regret walking away with you still breathing,” he says, pushing up to stand. Then he comes right to me, taking my hand.