Page 65 of The Monster I Am
Bexley grins, pinching my cheek. “You’re so cute when you’re protective.”
“I’m not joking. They are taking it too far.”
Her eyes soften, holding mine. “Don’t blame yourself,” she murmurs, voicing the guilt I most definitely have inside at the moment.
It’s true though. None of this would be happening if it wasn’t for me. If I hadn’t said those words, my father would be none the wiser, and Liv wouldn’t have sent the Willowbrook cohort after her.
It’s my fault that she’s being targeted. And it’s my fault she got hurt.
Even if she hasn’t admitted it.
No one is speaking up about the incident. The three of us already tried to interrogate the possible culprits. But other than Perkins, who conveniently disappeared from classes for the rest of the day, we have no idea who else was involved. Even then, we only know it was Perkins because Soph heard his voice shouting at Bexley before finding her on the floor banged up. I also have my suspicions that the shady dealing I witnessed between him and Liv probably has a little something to do with it all too. Perkins may be an idiot, but he’s physically strong, and extremely easy at being convinced to do something if there’s a benefit for him too.
The thought of him putting hands on Bexley has me convincing myself that orangeismy color.
“It is my fault,” I answer, deflated. “I’m better than that, Bex. I should have realized we weren’t somewhere private. And I should have done more to protect you.” Pausing, my face hardens. “The only reason I’m not already going after him is out of respect for you. Because you better believe I want nothing more than to make them all pay for it. I know a great spot on my running trail to hide a dead body.”
Bexley’s eyes dance with amusement as she fails to fight back a grin. “Wow. We’ve jumped from love confessions to promises of murder. Honestly, what more could a girl ask for?”
“Three dicks and an endless supply of caffeine?”
“Well, shit,” she breathes out. “You’ve just raised the bar, Astor.”
“Consider it done then. Good job breaking Hunter, by the way. He seems much less stressed now. I was nearly about to smother him.”
My joke is cut off as Lawless Dragons starts playing—one of their new songs—the pair of us glancing down at my ringing cell. I tense up when I spot the name flashing across the screen, on the verge of rejecting the call when Bexley places a kiss on my cheek.
“You can answer it if you need to.”
I grimace. “I have nothing to fucking say to him, Bex.”
Her lips linger on my cheek, breath tingling my skin. “You can’t avoid him forever. And I’m here for support.”
My eyes close as I allow myself a brief second to indulge in her touch. Realizing she’s correct, I curse under my breath, hitting the accept button just before it rings out to voicemail.
“Father,” I answer coldly, opening my eyes and locking them on Bexley’s. Her gaze is firm, unwavering as she sends me silent strength.
The usual detached tone doesn’t take me by surprise, but his words do. “Why is that girl in my house, Rylan?”
I don’t know how he knows. I haven’t told him about the camera I installed. But I wouldn’t put it past him to have his own hidden ones somewhere.
“She has a name,” I snap back, not bothering to deny it. “And she’s here because I want her here.”
His gruff laugh is loud and clear, Bexley’s eyebrow cocking at the sound. “You stupid boy. One day you’ll thank me for this, Rylan. I know what’s best for this family.”
“And you think the best option is to bribe her into leaving?” I growl.
“Hmm,” he agrees. “It worked for your mother, didn’t it? They are very alike. Trust me, Rylan—one day you’ll look back on thismoment. Whether you have regrets is dependent on your next move. I’d choose wisely.”
Bexley’s warm hand cups my cheek, and it’s only then I realize it’s because I’m shaking with unbridled anger. I’ll never forgive him for making her leave. He tried to justify it back then as well, and for a while there, I disgusted myself for believing his reasoning.
But now I know everything he does is for manipulation and control. And if he can’t control someone or something, he makes them go away…
“I choose her,” I reply firmly, holding Bexley’s gaze. “Every fucking day.”
I hang up the phone before I can fully implode and unleash nearly two decades of unspoken thoughts. Bex reaches for the device, carefully slipping it out of my death grip and pocketing it as I close my eyes and try to calm myself.
I can be a real asshole. Hell, Bex has been on the receiving end her fair share of times when I was still under his influence. I don’t want her to see me like this—have to deal with the anger I have for that man when he’s already threatened her because of me.
