Page 45 of Monster

I shook my head. “I’m not hungry.”

One eyebrow raised at that. “I’m sure your stomach says otherwise.”

My stomach was a traitorous bitch.

As if to prove the point, it growled once more. Dominic smirked.

As if we were friends sharing a joke.

The smirk just revealed more of the face of the monster. Did he not feel bad for all the things he did?

“Just let me go,” I said. I didn’t know what more I could say. I didn’t know what he was doing, trapping me in this room, or why. It wasn’t like I was his enemy or the King’s Men’s enemy. I didn’t even know about them until I moved to Sacramento, and I could probably count on one hand how many times I had seen him at the school.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, wildcat.”

“I saved Braxton. I didn’t have to. Doesn’t that count for something?”

He nodded, agreeing with me. “It does. That’s why I’m keeping you.”

I blinked. “What?”

“I’m keeping you.”

“Y-you can’tkeepme.”

“You sure about that? I’m doing that right now.”

“I’m not a fucking stray on the street. You can’t just take me home and decide you’re going to keep me.”

He didn’t say anything for one long second, and that long second seemed to stretch out for an eternity.

It felt like I was drifting away from Earth, drifting away from reality.

This couldn’t possibly be my life at this very moment, could it?

“Come eat,” he said. “Lucy said you haven’t eaten all day.”

I shook my head but didn’t answer him. I didn’t think I could. Not with the lump the size of a golf ball forming in my throat.

He studied me. Then, without saying a word, he reached over and pulled me into his lap.

I struggled to get away, but he tightened his arms around me.

“Stop moving,” he said, leaning down until his lips touched my ear.

“Let go of me!” I screamed.

He tightened his grip even more, and I stilled when my thigh brushed up against something hard.

My breath caught, and I looked at him with horror in my eyes.

He wouldn’t…

He drew me closer to him, and confirmed I didn’t mistake that.

I let out a small cry, and he shushed me as if he was trying to offer me comfort.

But a fucking monster couldn’t comfort anyone.

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