The Monster at My Feet novel Chapter 29

A violent, physiological shiver ran down Sylvie's spine, but beneath the chill, a rush of pure adrenaline flooded her veins.

He was back.

What exactly was the trigger for this guy?

She felt a desperate, almost manic urge to sprint out into the hall and hunt down the source of that gaze.

But Lucas awkwardly opened his mouth, accepted the strawberry, and scratched the back of his neck.

"It's fine. I can feed myself."

Sylvie kept her eyes locked entirely on his, her bright, innocent smile unmoving.

Under her intense stare, Lucas was the first to break eye contact, coughing to cover his embarrassment.

She stabbed another piece of melon. "Does your arm still hurt?"

Lucas felt a dizzying rush just listening to her sweet, melodic voice.

"No, it stopped hurting a while ago.

"It's just crazy that they still haven't caught the guy who did it."

Sylvie gasped softly. "They still haven't found him?"

"Yeah. The club's management completely covered it up, and the investigation just hit a dead end."

Sylvie's mind flashed back to the figure in black.

The back of his neck had been soaked in sweat, making his dark hair stick to his skin.

It made the small patch of exposed skin on his nape look impossibly pale, almost translucent.

"The whole thing is actually super messed up," Lucas lowered his voice conspiratorially.

"You remember Caleb Cross, right? He took the worst of it. He's still paralyzed in a hospital bed. His parents were furious and used every connection they had to hunt the guy down.

"But then, out of nowhere, their family business got hit with massive sabotage. They basically got a mafia-style threat to back off."

As Lucas spoke, he watched Sylvie's face. The way she was hanging onto his every word, her eyes wide with shock and undivided attention, gave him an incredible ego boost.

"We all think his family accidentally crossed a major underworld player. Who knows? I guess I just got caught in the crossfire."

Sylvie nodded solemnly. "That's terrifying. I'm just so glad you're okay. Thank you for protecting me..."

She lowered her lashes, looking incredibly fragile.

"Helena hates me even more because of what happened. I really don't know what to do anymore."

"Don't worry about it. I'll talk to my mom," Lucas promised fiercely.

Sylvie gave him a radiant, grateful smile, her face the picture of innocent vulnerability. "You're the best. Give me one second, I'll be right back."

She really didn't want to cut her bonding session with her new stepbrother short.

But the sheer intensity of the stalker's gaze was impossible to ignore.

She had inherited the absolute best of both her parents' genetics. She was brilliant, socially flawless, and beautiful.

She was the Student Body President at Griffin Academy and the absolute golden child of the family.

Within three sentences, she had Helena laughing endlessly, completely wiping away the dark, hysterical mood that had plagued her mother all week.

Naturally, the conversation shifted to the newest addition to the household: Sylvie.

"Mom, are you telling me Luke actually yelled at you over this Sylvie girl?"

"Yes," Helena's face darkened instantly at the mention of the name.

"You have no idea how manipulative that little bitch is. She plays the innocent victim to everyone else's face, but she's got your brother completely wrapped around her finger."

Lawrence glanced in the rearview mirror, finally speaking up.

"Helena, how many times do I have to tell you? Stop talking to Lydia about this. And frankly, you are completely biased against Sylvie."

That sentence was a dog whistle, immediately setting Helena off again.

"Are you saying this is my fault?! You didn't hear the vile things that little slut said to me!"

"Okay, Mom, deep breaths," Lydia soothed, gently massaging her mother's shoulders.

"I believe you. Don't worry, Mom. I'll make sure she learns how to properly respect her elders."

She easily defused Helena's impending meltdown.