Read Damned and Cursed (Book 6): Broken Home for Free Online Page B

glass in his hand.
    "I've had better rat poison," he said.   "But this wasn't too bad."
    He shot to his feet, and Janet responded in kind.   Grabbing Sarah by the wrist, he took a step back, and Janet felt like she was the one who would be sick.   She walked around the table to approach, but a look from Byron froze her in place.   Elizabeth rose from her chair and tried to pull on Byron's arm.
    "Let go of my sister!" she shouted.
    Tears ran down Sarah's face.   "Mom!"
    "Don't do anything," Janet pleaded.   "It was my idea.   Please!"
    He took another step back, dragging Sarah with him.   He shook his head.
    "I thought you were smart, Janet.   But obviously you're just another dumb, foolish mortal."
    Janet's jaw dropped as Byron opened the sliding glass door.   Still holding Sarah, he stepped outside and reached out to snatch something.   She barely got to Elizabeth and took her in her arms when Byron dragged both Sarah and Mark inside the kitchen.
    "No!" Janet shouted.   "What are you doing?"
    "I didn't want to keep the future lovebirds apart."
    "Let me go!" Mark shouted, thrashing in Byron's grip.
    "I can't do that, killer," Byron said.   "You're a part of our wonderful party here now.   Would you like some tea?"
    "And you call me foolish," Janet said.   "His mother will come looking for him.   What are you going to do then?"
    Byron laughed.   "The longest she's gone without even thinking about him is eight hours.   She knows where he is, having fun with his little girlfriend in their clubhouse.   We've got plenty of time before old Mary pries herself away from the couch and her sex toys.   Don't worry, Janet, we've got everything under control."
    "Byron, please," she said.   She hoped using his name would reach something within him.   "You don't want to hurt these kids."
    "Stop talking.   You have no idea what I want."
    Mark had trouble keeping his balance, but managed to stomp on Byron's foot as hard as he could.   Byron didn't flinch.   He simply leaned down to stare into the boy's eyes.
    "Look here, killer.   I know you probably watch a lot of action movies.   You figure you can be the big hero, save your little girlfriend and her family.   But let me tell you—"
    Byron didn't finish his sentence.   He barely moved out of the way in time to avoid being smashed in the face with a glass.   Mark's stomping of Byron's foot, as ineffective as it was, gave Janet the distraction she was looking for.   She'd grabbed the empty glass and took the two steps across the kitchen.   Swinging as hard as she could, she had every intention to shatter the glass across Byron's head.   If the glass didn't break, she would beat him until it did.
    But Byron saw her coming, and pulled his head back just in time.   The missed attack sent Janet sailing, stumbling over her own feet.   She could barely process what happened.   A hand shoved her from behind, and the next moment her wrist was on fire.
    Janet was lying on her back.   Byron had subdued her easily.   Her wrist was twisted at an odd angle, pinned above her.   His knee pressed into her ribs, forcing the air out of her lungs.   She tried to twist and struggle, but Byron applied more pressure to her wrist.   She cried out in pain.
    "Now, now.   Hush, Janet."   He looked up and pointed at the children, who stood in a line.   They were all in various states of tears.   Elizabeth reached out and nearly stepped forward, only for Sarah to pull her back.   "If any of you move an inch, I kill her.   You'll see your mother dead, before your very eyes.   It'll be an image that stays with you for the rest of your miserable lives."
    The children didn't move.   Mark reached out and took Sarah's hand.   Elizabeth continued to bawl.
    Byron returned his attention to Janet.
    "You keep pushing the limits of my patience."
    "Byron, please—"
    "Don't speak.   The less you say, the less chance you have of pissing me off.   Just remember, you did this.   You