Page 56 of The Monster I Am
If there was even a slight chance I might have welcomed him back into my life, he’s made sure that’s gone.
We all agree to hold off confronting Max for now, and for a brief moment, IthinkI’ve gotten away unscathed from the other thing. But, of course, Tai circles back, kicking his legs like a giddy child.
“So…” He grins. “What are you going to do about Hunter now?”
Standing at the entrance of the black doors, my eyes scan the front of the house slowly.
This is perhaps the worst idea in the entire history of bad ideas.
The answer to Tai’s question came from a not-so gentle push from him and Rylan. Apparently, all of their fathers were out at some stupid charity thing.
After Hunter had filled them in on the situation, he’d told them he was going back home to blow off steam. I should haverealized that even though I’m not the subject of their devious plots, I can still be entangled in them.
Which is why I was basicallykidnappedand dropped off in front of Hunter’s house with the code to get inside.
He’s going to murder me. I hope it eats at Rylan and Tai’s conscience. It would serve them right for throwing me into the snake pit.
Great—my place of death is going to be in Dean Lannister’s house. How embarrassing.
Letting out a shaky breath, I count to five before punching in the code before I can chicken out. The guys have assured me that the place will be empty except for Hunter, but still, I enter slowly, casing out the joint.
Classical music booms from upstairs and double checking there’s no bodies around, I start climbing the steps, following the sound. Creeping on my tiptoes down the hallway, it leads me to a room at the end of the house, the door wide open as sunlight beams brightly inside.
I hide outside the door, sneaking a slow glance inside in case the Dean is lurking around.
Even with his back to the door, I relax—only slightly—at Hunter’s frame. My breath hitches as I take in the sight in front of me, as it dawns on me that the classical music is coming from Hunter himself.
Sitting at a large grand piano facing a wall of glass windows, Hunter’s hands shoot across the keys rapidly, creating a sad melody.
My feet move on their own accord, drawn to the music and Hunter. There’s something about the way he plays so beautifully that makes me curious. At the same time, my heart hurts listening to the powerful melancholic notes, wondering if he’s feeling as fucked up as I do.
I walk around the side of the piano into his line of vision. If he’s surprised by my appearance, he doesn’t show it, hands still flawlessly moving uninterrupted as he locks eyes with me.
Hunter keeps playing, eyes watching me intensely. I move forward, resting my elbows on the cool, black lid.
His fingers start to slow, the rhythm fading and growing softer. “What are you doing here, Bexley?” he asks in a curious, guarded tone.
“Why didn’t you tell me that you were the one who pulled me from the fire?”
Hunter’s lips twitch into a small smile, still playing a slow beat. “Would it have mattered?”
“Of course it would,” I answer. “It just doesn’t explain why you’ve been so hostile.”
He laughs dryly. “Are you sure about that?” He questions. “You’re a smart woman. I’m sure you can figure it out.”
Clenching my jaw, annoyance fills me when he looks away, arrogantly falling silent. I wait for him to elaborate or talk, but he just continues playing, gaining speed and volume again to drown me out.
Narrowing my eyes, I hoist myself up on top of the piano lid, crawling until I’m in front of him so he has to face me. Swinging my legs on either side of him, Hunter has no choice but to pause as I restrict his ability to reach the keys.
“Bexley,” he says with a warning. “Don’t.”
“Why did you kiss me?” I demand, locking my legs against his arms.
Hunter’s eyes burn into mine. “Duchess,” he cautions, this time with a low growl.
I press harder. “You could have let me die, Hunter. But you didn’t. You could have left me alone to spiral last night, but you didn’t.”
He places a hand above my knee, squeezing. “It doesn’t mean anything.”
