Page 68 of The Monster I Am
I lean closer to inspect, lips parting in astonishment. “Is that from the night of the dance?”
The top part of the red dress gives it away, and Tai laughs. “Yep. My little Harley Quinn. We’re just going to ignore what happenedafterthat.”
“Oh—the part where I nearly died?” I tease. “Fond memories. Makes me think of a good smoky Carolina Barbecue. Pretty certain I’m at least twenty percent smoke and ash now. Who needs blood in their veins when I have microscopic carbon particles and toxic gases?”
“Maybe that’s why you and H are bonded now.”
“Because of the sooty carbon particles?”
“No, the toxic gases.”
“Gloating bastard,” Archie grumbles under his breath. I almost miss it over the chants and jeers from the other side of the room.
It only takes about two seconds to find who he’s referring to. Ry is standing on his little throne, hands clapping above his head. He points at the fighter in the cage, the two of them having a little moment of victory.
“If I were them, I wouldn’t celebrate too early,” I reply to Arch. “Parker is up next.”
Arch smiles smugly. “Yeah, but I’m not sure they are rooting for that particular match.”
The crisp, dry tone all but confirms my suspicions. I slap his arm. “I knew it! You all set it up on purpose.”
“Ow!” He groans, looking offended. “Obviously.You should be thrilled they are fighting for your honor by… not fighting?” Pausing, he tries to logistically explain the conspiracy. “Losing,” he clarifies. “That’s a big deal now that I think of it.”
I’m caught off guard in agreement. “Shit—you’re right. They have to know they will lose that match.”
Arch nods, a little stunned. “They must really,reallylike you.”
“Are you saying I’m not likeable?”
He snorts. “I’m saying that despite the obvious exile from their family obligations and expectations, those assholes hate losing more than anything. But for you… they’ll do it.”
“It’s a lesson,” I mumble back. “Perkins shouldn’t have acted without their approval.”
Arch’s eyebrow shoots up just as Parker enters the cage. “Right,” he says sarcastically. “Is that the story you’re sticking with? Did you get in the cage when I wasn’t looking and bonk your head or are you just deliberately ignoring the fact that the man jumping on a fake throne right now said he loves you?”
I grin, peeking over at Ry. Yep—still standing over the crowd and attempting to egg them on. Little do they know thatthisone is all for show.
Perkins struts into the cage with his head held high, basking in the crowd’s cheers for him. Argh. Talk about egotistical. I’m surprised with the size of his that he was able to squeeze through the cage door.
As usual, Parker looks completely at ease. He’s watching Perkins showboat with an unfazed expression, bored as he waits for the fight to kick off.
Hunter catches my attention from across the room, his head dipping slightly when we lock eyes. His lips twitch, and to anyone else, they would probably mistake it for the usual“We’re going to kick your ass”glance. But the subtle softening of his eyes and shoulders dropping makes my stomach twist.
Oh, shit. Butterflies.
Conniving bastards.
Okay—maybe I’ll admit that the idea they are dishing out a punishment in my honor is a bit of a turn-on. Many people would probably be surprised to learn that this never happens to me. It’s like never getting a single birthday present then suddenly being lavished and spoiled with expensive gifts.
I’ve organized my fair share of punishments—like making Joshua fight after he blasted my neon glowing pussy to others. But I’ve never had anyone fightfor mebefore. Not like this.
Arch is protective as shit but anything he’s organized or suggested always went through me first. And those three? Who could have predicted we’d end up here?
Not me—that’s for sure.
It would have been one bet that Ry would have definitely lost. But now he’s all in and I’m his wildcard.
I watch the last of the crowd disappear from the warehouse, the sound of gravel and engines revving outside.
