Page 44 of Reins

I wonder if my brother’s even realized I was gone? Probably when they had to cook for themselves.

Creeping back down the hall, I turn the corner into the living room—

And run directly into Eli.

“What the fuck, Lyn?” he growls, his arms crossing his chest. “Where have you been?”

Then his cold, pale eyes settle on the bag over my shoulder.

His back hunches and his fists come up as the rage seeps into his gaze like a poisonous cloud. “Where the hell are you going?” Menace drips from his raspy words as he takes a step closer.

“My horse foundered in the woods,” I stammer the story I’ve prepared. “I’m going back out to help her.”

He rakes his scowl down my body, then back up to wrinkle his nose. “I don’t fucking think so.”

Before I can react, his hand snakes out and grips my throat, pulling me to him as he chokes off my air. “You’re gonna tell me the truth.” Spittle plasters against my gaping cheek. My mouth opens but no sound can escape. “Where were you?”

His fingers lighten just to let my answer free.

“Petun—”

He cuts me off with a stinging slap, knocking me out of his grip to crumple onto the floor. “Liar. Try again.”

Struggling to catch my breath, I fight the pain that’s radiating from my elbow and hip to try to drag myself away. “I was, Eli.”

I don’t see his foot move, but the toe of his boot connects with my side to send an explosion of agony through me.

“Don’t even try that shit. Were you out whoring around? Telling people about us? Where’d you go, Rosalyn?” He leers over me, his palm lashing out to smack my face and arms with every question.

Coughing, I gasp and curl on myself.

He rips the bag off my back and jerks it open. “For your piece of shit mare, huh?” He waves the photo album next to my ear. “Gonna show her sappy pictures to make her better?”

With a single stride, he pitches the album into the low flames in the brick fireplace.

“No!” I cry as the embers spark, licking the fabric wrapping the cover.

He swings his palm with such force, it makes me fly backwards.

“She isn’t here to save you. You have one choice.” Eli reaches down to yank my braid until my head is arching painfully. “Tell me the truth.”

When I hear the snap of his knife locking into place, ice rushes through me.

The sharp blade presses my throat with a bite. “Or I’m gonna feed you into that fire one piece at a time and no one will ever know.”

It eats into my skin when I swallow hard. “Please don’t,” I whisper.

My resolve cracks as his scowl deepens, distorting his features into raw rage.

Holy shit. He’s really going to do this.

Just as his muscles bunch for what I know will be the severing slice, all the strength leaves my body.

“I was with him,” I whimper, my cowardly admission completely deflating me.

“Who?” His yell washes over me in a burning wave as the edge digs deeper into my throat.

I don’t want to.