Page 88 of The Monster I Am
Arch reaches over, grabbing my hand. He rubs my knuckles with his thumb. “Since when do you care what people think?”
I squeeze his hand. “Since I gained something I could lose. Something many people want to take from me.”
The admission is hard but I still force it out. Do I care about people knowing about my relationships? No. But I care about people seeing me as weak and a target, potentially going after the ones I want to protect.
Assholes like Max Astor and Marcus Lannister have made it clear they have no issue hurting their own children to get back at me. Thinking other people might feel different is a mistake I won’t make.
“Okay,” Arch finally says, conceding. “I’ll add you to the list.”
“Do you need ice? I’ll get you ice! Where do we keep the ice?!”
“Tai! I’m fine. Geez. Calm your ball sack.”
My cheeks flush bright pink as Mary graciously glides out of nowhere, alarm written all over her face.
“Is everyone alright?” She asks apprehensively, glancing between the three of us.
Soph rolls her eyes with a huff. “We’re fine, I promise. Tai is overreacting about nothing.”
He stares at her with wild eyes. “Uh, hello. She has a bruise forming on her cheek.” He points at me, waving his finger.
“I’m so sorry about this,” Soph says to me. “I’m going to arrange a DNA test because there’s no way I’m related to this wet sock.”
I look at her with amusement. “I think he’s jealous I’m spending the night with you.”
Tai flails his arms with exasperation. “You were punched in the face.”
“Oh, my!” Mary gasps.
I cringe at Tai, holding my hand up defensively before poor Mary equally freaks out. “During a scheduled, controlled fight. Which Iwon, by the way.”
I have to give credit to Archie. Despite his hesitation with me fighting, he knew what I needed most. Somehow he managed to have Tamara fight me—a thought which didn’t even cross my mind. But it was a great idea. She’s a clean, respectful fighter, and it was the perfect opportunity to redeem myself.
It was a close match and I’m almost ashamed to admit how much I enjoyed it. And yes… she landed her fair share of punches. But it’s nothing I haven’t received before so I have no idea why Tai is losing his ever-loving shit over one bruised cheek.
Soph wraps her arm around my shoulder. “Yeah, you fucking did!”
“You’re supposed to be on Willowbrook’s side,” I laugh.
She scoffs. “And not be the greatest bestie in the world? Over my dead body.”
Tai gapes at us incredulously. “Seriously? What am I? Chopped liver?”
“Chopped liver has a purpose,” Soph shoots back. “Go do your boring computer stuff or I’ll use my smudge-proof eyeliner to draw a dick on your forehead.”
He turns to Mary with pleading eyes. “Please tell me you’re on my side.”
She smiles warmly at him, grabbing his arm. “Come help me finish dinner, Bear. Sophia has this under control. You can be my special taste tester.”
Tai’s panic seems to have been fixed by good ol’ comfort food. After dinner, he was back to his relaxed, grinning self and enthusiastically waved me goodbye after we parted ways at the top of the staircase.
It’s definitely suspicious and I’d bet my first paycheck that it’s not the last I see of Tai tonight. He’s trying to lure his sister into a false sense of security, but Soph is much smarter than she’s given credit for.
Which is why she locks her bedroom door behind us.
“Idiot thinks he has us fooled,” she grumbles. “I’ll turn around for five seconds and you’ll be missing.”
“But at least I won’t be very far away?” I offer, comically.
