Page 298 of Wicked Brutal

Jane is behind her. Tobias is tucked against Jane’s side, both hands fisted in her shirt. All three. Breathing. Standing. Here. I count them the way Roman counted us, and something in my chest unlocks half an inch just seeing them upright.

Roman turns and sees them. “What are you doing?”

Ally flinches. Jane’s hand closes around Tobias’s shoulder.

Arthur looks past Roman. “Jane.”

Roman spins back. “Don’t speak to my wife.”

Jane looks at Arthur. Then Dad. Then toward our house — toward the lit windows across the yard where the mothers are waiting. I watch her make herself do it.

“I want to leave.”

Roman laughs. “No.”

Her face goes pale. But she doesn’t move. “I am leaving.” His smile disappears.

“You’re going inside.”

“No.” The word shakes. Roman hears the shake.

So does Tobias. “I wanna go.”

Dad closes his eyes for half a second.

Roman turns toward Tobias. “Go upstairs.”

Tobias presses himself closer to Jane. “No.”

Roman’s face changes. “What did you say?”

Jane immediately shifts in front of him. “Leave him alone.”

Roman stares at her. “Move.”

“No.”

Dad starts forward. Arthur catches him. “Walter.”

“He’s fucking scared.”

“I know.”

“Then get him out of there.”

“Not yet.”

Roman points through the doorway. “Tobias. Upstairs. Now.”

Tobias starts crying. “No!”

“Do what you’re fucking told!”

“Don’t talk to him like that,” Dad snaps.

Roman wheels around. “SHUT THE FUCK UP ABOUT MY SON.”

“THEN STOP FUCKING HURTING HIM.”