Page 46 of The Tenth Circle

A question I would’ve asked when I approached them if I was still in my right mind. Not that it matters, the result would’ve been the same regardless.

Actually, scratch that shit. If they did, the fuckers would’ve had a cold date with the coroner.

“No. I-I wanted to do it.”

Levi’s jaw tightens almost as hard as mine, since he, too, has seen Theory as a sister since we were kids.

“Well, I hope you enjoyed yourself…because it’ll never happen again.”

“Sthaint…pleasthe listhen.”

“Oh, no, baby girl. You listen. You will not befriend. Talk. Smile. Share class notes with any fucking guy in school except the Royal Heathens.”

Theory swallows, and I know how bad she wants to argue.

That I’m too protective, overbearing.

Unhinged when it comes to her.

That one day I will have to accept the fact she’s not a little girl anymore—and stop beating the shit out of any guy who looks at her the wrong way because of it.

Yeah, well fuck that fucking shit.

“Sthaint…I’m not gonna?—”

“Yes you will!” I boom. “And don’t even think about sneaking behind my back, because you know I’ll find out. Send you away,lock you the fuck away if I have to.Killwhoever he is without losing a lick of sleep.”

She gulps but says nothing.

“Do. You. Hear. Me?”

I know I’m being controlling, but this is a dangerous world we’re caught up in. One I’ve been fighting to keep her away from.

Theory stares up at the ceiling, contemplating her life choices.

I watch her closely, waiting to see if she’s going to make the smart one, because Iwillgo back to finish the job on those guys if she doesn’t.

Humanity be as damned as my fucking soul.

Thankfully for the JV’s, baby girl decides to use the brain our dad spent over a quarter million dollars nurturing by sending her to the most well renowned all-girls Catholic boarding school.

In Switzerland.

And as much as it sucks not seeing Theory for months at a time, it puts our minds at ease knowing there’s been no boys or trouble.

Unlike Riverside.

Which will now become Theory’s home thanks to my father’s newfound leniency when it comes to his daughter.

Makes no fucking sense, just like his religion.

With a defeated sigh, she says, “I’ll sthay away from g-guys, okay?”

I pull her in for a hug again, and she squeezes me even tighter than before.

At the end of the day, no matter how frustrated my sister gets, it’s never enough to diminish her love for me as an older brother.

The same goes for me when it comes to her.