Page 50 of The Monster I Am
“What?” I question, caught off guard. “What do you meanbroke in?”
Her eyes stay fixed on the door with a look of perplexity. “I mean the door was locked, Hunter. But he just opened it and walked in.”
I wish I could say I’m surprised. Hell, maybe for her benefit I should pretend to be or something. But hearing this, I’m not at all shocked. Max loves the power that comes with his position, and if anyone was going to abuse privileges, it’s him.
“Right. What did he say?”
Bexley slouches her back against the chair. “He’s trying to bribe me to leave town. Well, blackmailing, I guess. They go hand-in-hand really.”
“Blackmailing how?” I demand, instantly regretting the harshness that accompanies my tone.
She either doesn’t care or take notice, though. “If I don’t leave by tonight, he’s coming after me and Rylan,” she says slowly, almost as if she’s emphasizing the severity of the situation.
Once again, I should be shocked by the information that Max is including his son in a threat, but I’ve got nearly two decades of first-hand experience with how our fathers operate.
I wish I had come to the realization sooner. It’s only since recently finding myself on the receiving end that I’m able to grasp how messed up it is—what price they will happily pay to get what they want. Very little is off the table when it comes to getting what they want and being in control, even if it means using their own children as weapons or sacrificing them as collateral damage.
“I’m calling Ry,” I announce, lifting the phone. Bexley suddenly snatches it from my hand, pushing to her knees so she can hold it out of reach.
“We’re not telling him,” she declares. “Not yet. Just give me some time to figure it out first.”
I cock an eyebrow at her. It’s cute that she thinks she has a choice. “Time? And what is it you hope to achieve within the next few hours?”
“I don’t know,” she shoots back. “But I’m not running off to beg for help from the wolves just because one of their own is holding a gun to my head.”
Leaning back, I stare at her coolly, all too aware at how close our bodies are with her looming over the top of me. “And this wouldn’t have anything to do with the fact Rylan told you he loved you, would it?”
Bexley’s face twists painfully. “No,” she claims. “Even if he hadn’t said it, I still wouldn’t be dragging him into this. Why am I not surprised you heard, though. What else did Rylan say?”
I chuckle, humming low. “Why are you so quick to assume the three of us all share our dirty little secrets?”
“Don’t you?” She snorts.
“Not anymore,” I reveal bluntly. “But to answer your question—Rylan hasn’t mentioned it. However, I can’t say the same for others.”
She slumps back onto her calves. “They know?” Her voice is quiet. “Of course they do. It would explain why Max Astor turned up here.”
I nod, not bothering to sugarcoat the bullshit. “According to Peyton, Liv overheard his little confession. Unfortunately, not much stays a secret for long with that cheer-psycho.”
Bexley’s head turns away, looking deflated. “I haven’t even had time to process it or talk to him. Now everyone else is all up in our business. Fuck—poor Rylan.”
“He’ll survive,” I tell her, amused. “But maybe you’re the problem here too.”
“Me?” She sputters. “How am I the problem?”
Our eyes meet. “You were quick to blame Rylan. When are you going to realize he’s not the person you keep trying to convince yourself he is? Same goes for Tai.” Pausing for effect, I dip my head, eyes narrowing. “You keep claiming to care about them, but every chance you get to blame or accuse them of something, you take it.”
Bexley frowns, hesitating. “Can you blame me after everything? Not long ago all of you would be happy to see me get hurt.”
“I always say you should judge people not by what you see, but by what you don’t,” I reply. “Like the fact that behind closed doors, those two idiots go out of their way to defend you every chance they get.” I reach over and tuck a loose tendril behind her ear. “Not only to me, the one person who might be able tooverlook their stupidity, but to people like Olivia. People who have the power to ruin them if they aren’t careful.”
“What?” She breathes uneasily.
“Idiots, like I said. That’s how much they care about you, Bexley. They are willing to throw away everything for you. If that doesn’t tell you what you need to know, then I’m afraid you’re a lost cause.”
Bexley shifts back onto her ass, resuming a fetal position as she tucks her knees to her chest. “Is that whyyouhate me so much? I’m a threat?”
“Youarea threat,” I agree. “But like I said, you’ve got me all fucked up.” Sighing, it’s my turn to look away as my voice drops lower. “I don’t hate you, Bexley. Not anymore. And it’s getting too exhausting continuing to pretend that I do.”
