Edge of Love by E. L. Todd Page A

Scarlet standing in the parlor with Mike. She was alone with
him again, and it enraged me. I knew Mike would never seduce
Scarlet no matter how hard he tried, but it still pissed me off. I
had to protect her from this asshole.
    I didn’t look at her. “Stop this
now.”
    He smiled triumphantly. “What? Trouble
in paradise? So the sound of the headboard was just you jerking
it?”
    I glared at my brother.
“This needs to end. I’m sorry for what I did to you six years ago, but this
vengeance needs to stop.”
    “ That means I must be
getting close.”
    Scarlet stepped away while we spoke. I
could tell she was uncomfortable with this conversation.
    “ The only way you will
have Scarlet is if you rape her. I have no doubt about her
commitment to me. Even if she was drunk she wouldn’t touch you. But
I want this to end anyway. Let’s try to go back to what we
were—brothers.
    Mike shook his head. “I have
absolutely no interest in that.”
    I clenched my fists. “How long is this
going to go on for? After Scarlet and I are married and have kids?
Just get over it already.”
    My brother crossed his arms over his
chest but didn’t speak.
    I stared at him. “You already slept
with Penelope. What more do you want?”
    “ But she didn’t break up
with you, nor did you end the relationship. I will steal the love
of your life just like you stole mine from me.”
    “ You are
pathetic.”
    “ And you’re a piece of
shit brother. You’ve never been family to me.”
I said nothing. He’d done a lot of things to hurt me, but those
words stung the most.
    “ And I didn’t even have to
try with Penelope. She crawled on top of me and started to ride me.
I didn’t have to do anything. And I will fuck Scarlet—”
    I pushed my brother into the wall as
hard as I could. The idea of him touching Scarlet sent me to the
brink. I was livid that he discussed his rendezvous with Penelope,
but referring to Scarlet is what set me off. I punched him in the
face twice before he processed what was happening. My knuckles
stung as I collided with his cheekbone. I felt the blood drip from
my fingers.
    Scarlet stepped away and stayed clear
from our fight. Mike pushed me back then slugged me in the nose. We
used to play around when we were younger, but neither one of us
were being playful now. I wanted to hurt Mike as much as possible.
I knew he felt the same way. He pushed me against the wall and
punched me in the ribs. The painting fell from the wall then
crashed to the floor. I kicked Mike away then shoved him against
the table across the room. The vase sitting on top toppled over and
shattered on the ground. It was so loud that I couldn’t hear my own
breathing. Mike punched me again and I returned with my own strike.
He had blood dripping down his face, and I knew my face looked the
same.
    Our father ran down the stairs when he
heard us breaking down the house. “Boys! Knock it off!”
    My mom screamed. “Stop them,
Andrew!”
    My father grabbed my shoulder but I
pushed him back. Then I punched my brother in the chin.
    My mom screamed again. “STOP
IT!”
    My dad tried to pull Mike away, but he
was pushed against the door. There was too much bloodlust between
us to abandon this fight. This wouldn’t be over until one of us was
unconscious or dead. Mike grabbed my arm then kicked my knee, and I
punched him in the side of the head.
    “ Should we call the
police?” my mom yelled. The fight was getting out of control. I saw
mike search for a piece of shattered glass to stab me with it. I
glanced at the back board of the painting and considered using it
as a weapon. This wasn’t just a misunderstanding or an argument. We
wanted to kill each other. I couldn’t care less that he was my
brother.
    Scarlet’s voice broke my
concentration. “Sean!”
    I blocked my brother’s punch, but I
didn’t hit him again. Her voice steadied me like an alarm. She was
frightened and scared, and that made me hesitate.
    “ Sean, stop!” I obeyed