Page 80 of The Monster I Am
“I’m not finished with her yet,” Dad snaps.
Soph flinches at his raised tone, and I’m seconds away from giving the demons a green light and letting them wreak havoc.
“Soph,” I repeat. “Now.”
It doesn’t slip past me that at this very moment, I’m speaking to her just like he is. But the intention is as polar opposite as possible. I’m sure she knows that.
I hope so, anyway.
Spinning to face me, Dad inhales before crossing the maroon carpet, stopping inches away. “I said—”
“I really don’t give a shit what you have to say,” I cut him off, eyes flaring as my curled fists start to shake by my sides. “Besides, let’s be honest here—even though I know that’s a weakness for you. You just want me. Soph was just leverage to get me in the office. Right?”
We all know the answer. Which is probably why I don’t get a reply. I use his angry silence to repeat myself to Soph, and thankfully, this time she stands and moves out of the office quickly.
When I hear her bedroom door close down the hallway, I turn and walk. Closing his office door, I lock myself in with the monster whom I share only a last name with.
“Get on with it,” I spit out, facing him again. “And leave her out of this.”
Dad’s eyes narrow sharply, and he stalks toward me again. This time, he doesn’t hold back, and even though I expect it, I’m not quick enough to stop the powerful backhand he gives me across the face.
A small growl emanates from my throat as I snap my head back in his direction. “Well, if that’s all you wanted,” I start. “I’ll be leaving.”
“Sit down,” he hisses, throwing a look of disgust before turning on his heel to the desk. “We’ll discuss your disrespect after.”
“I’ll stand, thanks.”
Pausing slightly, back muscles tense, and I brace myself for round two. My cheek is stinging and throbbing painfully, and glancing at his hand, I spot his class ring. Great—it’s going to bruiseandis probably bleeding.
Better me than Soph, though. I’ll take his abuse any day if it means protecting her.
“I’ve received word from Marcus that your behavior at the academy has been unacceptable in accordance with Willowbrook standards,” he replies, ignoring my previous comment. “Apparently, both yourself and Sophia have been gallivanting around with Bexley Spencer from Cedar Heights.”
Those demons are inching closer to being unleashed, a reaction I wasn’t fully prepared for. But hearing Bex’s name come out of his mouth, I’m ready to go to war.
This was never about Soph. This is about Bex.
I should have known.
With a raised eyebrow, I fold my arms slowly while shooting him a bemused look. “Is there a point to this conversation or are you just repeating facts? I’m not one of your witnesses on the stand.”
He glances up coolly from his chair, retrieving a pen from its metal holder on the desk top. “You’ll cease your interactionswith her immediately.” Turning his attention away, he begins signing documents, signaling my dismissal.
“No.”
The scratchy sound of the pen halts as the air thickens around us. “No?” He repeats in a deadly tone, slowly looking up. Well, at least I know where I get my theatrics from. “It wasn’t a request, Tai. Be thankful I’m giving you the opportunity to end things before my intervention.”
My eye twitches as the scratchy noise returns carelessly. Before I realize I’m doing it, I’m moving toward him. I snatch the pen out of his hand and toss it to the side, forcing him to acknowledge me.
“If you touch her,” I growl. “I will chase you down. Whether that’s here, in fucking Europe or the damn North Pole.”
Slowly, Dad rises to his feet to meet me face to face. It’s clear by the murderous look in his eyes that he’s beyond any general meaning of livid, but hey… so am I.
Bring it on, asshole.
“Are you threatening me, child?”
“No,” I answer without missing a beat. “I’mpromisingyou. And save your attempts at belittling me. I’m your child only on paper.” Leaning across the desk, I pluck the half-signed document, tearing it down the middle into two. “And that’s how I feel about paper.”
