Page 66 of The Monster I Am
“Ry,” she whispers. “Look at me.”
Shaking my head, I blindly snake an arm around her waist so she doesn’t think I’m mad at her. “I need a minute, Bex. God, I fucking hate him so much.”
She molds into me, her scent already doing more to calm me in this moment than that man has ever achieved in my entire life.
“I need you to look at me,” she murmurs softly but full of strength, both hands cupping my face. “Please.”
I open my eyes, unable to resist. She leans forward, capturing my lips in a gentle kiss. “I love you,” she breathes out.
That asshole is long forgotten as an unfamiliar warm and captivating feeling spreads through my body, embracing every single fear, doubt and regret I’ve ever had.
“Thank fuck,” I say with a laugh, relieved. Bex lets out a squeal as I crush her against my body, hugging her tight.
Let him do his worst. Let him try.
He’s already stolen so much from me. I won’t let him take this.
He can’t take her.
I’ll fucking kill him without thinking twice about it.
“I should probably mention something weird,” Bex murmurs, fingers dancing aimlessly along my bare chest.
My eyebrow shoots up as I glance down at her, enjoying the feel of her naked body pressed into my side. “Should I be concerned?” I ask jokingly. “But if you need an ice pack, I can definitely get one.”
Bexley slaps my pec. “Hilarious,” she muses. “Good to see your ego is still intact. I was worried you’d turn into a lovesick marshmallow.”
“That’s Tai’s job,” I answer. “And you love my ego. You said so yourself.”
“I said I loveyou,” she shoots back. “Your ego still drives me fucking insane.”
I grin. “That’s not what you were saying ten minutes ago.”
Her expression deadpans as she shakes her head, muffling a laugh. “Can I finish my story or are you a lost cause?”
“Fine, proceed,” I mumble, running a hand along her back.
Nuzzling into me further, she rests her chin on my chest. “This is going to make me sound paranoid, but on the off chance I’m not insane, I had the feeling I was being watched today.”
Well that’s a damn buzzkill.
I still my hand movement, gazing at her. “I don’t think you’re paranoid or insane. What happened?”
Bexley frowns. “After I left Peyton with Steele,” she pauses, glaring at me as I let out a small growl at the mention of him. “I kept seeing the same car behind me when I drove home. But it would disappear before turning up again. So, I can’t be sure.”
“What did it look like?” I ask.
“Black standard kind of town car. The windows were heavily tinted so I didn’t get a look at the driver. But I mean, it could have been different cars. I just thought it was worth mentioning after everything.”
I nod, serious. “No—I’m glad you did. I wouldn’t put it past my father to be tailing us. Him and George have connections, and I’m certain I’ve pissed him off.”
Bexley strokes my cheek. “Pretty sure I pissed him off first.”
“I’m starting to get the impression that this feud has a darker history than they’ve let on,” I reply. “Did anyone ever explain why we have to uphold the tradition?”
She sits up slightly, deep in concentration. “No,” she says slowly. “Just that Willowbrook hate us and we hate them. Seems kind of stupid when you think about it. What about you?”
I shake my head. “The only information I’ve ever come across is that the feud started between two men decades ago. They had a dispute which they couldn’t sort out so they separated into the two academies. And when that still didn’t resolve the tension, eventually the fight nights were introduced.”
