Page 1 of A Monster's Obsession

Chapter 1

SASHA

Today my best friend is getting married, and she is absolutely, positively, miserable. I have never in my life seen Raven so unhappy, and we’ve known each other for a very long time. It made me feel bad because I had no idea what I should say to her. I didn’t know all of the sordid details about her shotgun wedding, I’d never even met or seen her groom, but I knew it wasn’t her choice. I wish I could protect my friend like she always did for me, but I’m helpless.

When she called me a few days ago frantically crying, I rushed right over to her apartment. Raven explained to me that she was getting married and wanted me to be her maid of honor. I was thrilled but shocked. Raven Bishops hadn’t had a boyfriend in almost a year. And after her disastrous relationship with Fred, she’d sworn off men. I had no idea where this new fiancé came from or why they had to get married so quickly. However, Raven assured me she would be fine as long as I was there for her. I promised her that no matter what, I’d stand with her. When she told me his last name, I had a sense of déjà vu.

“Don’t cry, Rae. At least he’s not ugly.” I tried to comfort her. The one thing she did like about her groom was his looks. She’d told me how handsome he was and I couldn’t wait to see him. I rubbed circles on her back. It didn’t work as Raven began to sob harder. I could feel the tears begin to well up in my own eyes. Raven is such a sweet person, and she didn’t deserve whatever bullshit her family put her through. She had always talked about her wedding day and how it is supposed to be special, a time of joy, laughter, and love. But all I could see was pain on my friend’s beautiful face.

I grabbed Raven’s hand and held it tightly, lending her as much of my strength as I could. When she took a deep breath, I knew that she would be okay. I smiled and fluffed my afro, our universal sign of black girl magic to one another. Raven smiled for a brief moment, and then she fell apart once more.

It was devastating to watch as she continued to get ready under duress. And even though the Bishops are one of the founding families on the island and more powerful than most, I still offered to help Raven leave. She declined my offer, saying it was her job to help her family. It’s funny how everything was always Raven’s job, and not anyone else’s.

That was the funny thing about my best friend; she had been the protector of everyone else since the day we met. However, she hardly ever stood up for herself, at least when it came to her family. The way her family treated her pissed me off.

Raven and I met when we were in junior high. I was a scholarship student at one of the private schools on the island. Raven and I both tried out and was picked for the cheer squad that year. I only tried out because the art classes at the youth recreational center were only three days a week, and I needed another after school activity because my parents had to work.

I’ve always been a free spirit and outgoing, but when I started attending the Founder’s Academy, I was intimidated. The kids there were all wealthy beyond my wildest imaginations, and they never had to want for anything. I, on the other hand, had to work for everything I needed and wanted.

I was one of the few scholarship students who attended the school and one of the only black students. Although Raven and I are the same dark chocolate complexion, her striking gray eyes and last name made her one ofthem. And although Raven treated me like I was her sister, she never let anyone say anything about me in front of her; I was never one of them.I would never be one of them.

As Raven finished getting ready, I prayed that whatever happened to my friend, she would find happiness. Raven was one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known, and she deserved to be happy.

I had to clear my mind of the melancholy feelings before I entered the church. As Raven’s maid of honor, I walked down the aisle before her. My gold strapless dress with a thigh-high split was by the same designer as Raven’s gown. My afro was fluffed to the Gods with a gold sequin flower placed at my ear. I pushed my shoulders back and stood tall so that I could represent my best friend. This high-society wedding was full of the important families of Founder’s Island, and they would never see me hang my head.

As I floated down the aisle, I made sure to keep my eyes directly ahead of me. I didn’t need to see the familiar looks of disdain. These people looked down on me because I didn’t come from wealth, and I had the nerve to befriend someone who did. They always expected me to use Raven, but I could never do anything like that. I’m not a user. I take pride in working hard and accomplishing things for myself. My parents taught me that the things you earn, nobody can take.

I continued to walk slowly to the music when my eyes landed on a man standing at the front of the church. I could feel my eyes grow wider from the sight of him. His frame was draped in a dark blue tailored suit with a matching bow tie. His dark curly hair was shorter on the sides and a little longer on the top. Anyone could see that he styled it to look like a beautiful mess, but it worked for him. The hair on his face was just long enough to call it a beard and not a five o’clock shadow, which caused him to look even sexier. But it was his bright green eyes which watched me so intensely that made me shiver.

I could not believe it was him. How in the hell did I not know the one man that I hadn’t seen in two years would be the best man at my best friend’s wedding?What the fuck is Monster doing here? We never talked about family; I had no idea he even had a brother!

My whole body was vibrating with anxiousness as I reached the front of the church, our gazes locked. His glowing green eyes were fierce with anger, and I know my eyes were shining with shock. There was absolutely no mistaking who he was, and I couldn’t run this time. I had to stand at the altar beside my best friend while Sawyer Nash stared daggers in my direction. I refused to look at him the entire time Raven and Lennox exchanged their traditional vows. When I moved to shield myself from his hot glare, he took a step back to see my face. I did my best to ignore him. I tried to focus on my best friend, but it was no use. I could feel the heat of his gaze so powerfully that I knew that I was in deep trouble.

***

As I continued trying to avoid running headfirst into my past, Raven tried to avoid her new husband. I’m not sure what happened between the church and the reception, but my friend is behaving like a totally different person. She was drinking everything within her reach, and since I’m the maid of honor, I was doing my best to keep her from embarrassing herself.

“Why doesn’t anybody like me, Sash?” Raven’s gray eyes were filled with tears.

“What? I like you.” I smiled at Raven, doing my best to comfort her.

“No. Not you. Myhusband.”Raven slurred as she pointed an accusing finger at Lennox, who was standing across the room staring at us.

“You’re just a sad drunk, silly. And don’t worry about Lennox. From the way he’s watched you all night, I’m pretty sure he likes you.”

“Really?” Raven smiled drunkenly, and I laughed.

“Yeah. Let’s dance some of this drink out of your system.” I pulled Raven onto the dance floor asSavagebegan to play.

We danced until I had to use the restroom. I sat Raven at a table and told her not to move. However, when I returned, I saw Raven being hoisted over Lennox’s shoulder, and they disappeared down a hallway. I could only hope that he would take care of my friend because I would really hate to have to kick his ass.

As the guests continued to party the night away, I found a chair to watch the rest of the festivities. Although I hadn’t consumed as much alcohol as Raven, I was still pretty tipsy and needed to sober up before I went home. I hadn’t seen Sawyer since the ceremony, and I was really hoping that he was gone.

“So you thought you could avoid me all night? MysweetSasha.” The deep rumbling voice vibrated against the shell of my ear.My Monster.The woodsy scent of his cologne tickled my nose and urged me to shift closer to him. But I held myself rigid, mad that I was foolish enough to think I’d succeeded in dodging Sawyer Nash.

“I didn’t realize you had a brother.” My voice was nonchalant. But my nerves were on edge. It had always been something about this man that made me want to run away and snuggle into him at the same time. I had the feeling that he’s dangerous because he exudes it, that’s why I nicknamed him Monster. He never denied or confirmed my suspicions, but he always answered to the name.

“We didn’t do much talking when we were together.” He sat placing one long leg over the other making himself comfortable. I couldn’t be mad at what he said because he was absolutely correct. Talking wasn’t the thing we were good at.