Page 159 of Dare To Live

I turn. She’s standing a stair or two above me, which puts her on eye level.

“Those flowers had to be delivered by someone here, and they have a key to my room. That means they could have a key to yours as well.”

“We already know someone here was involved with Evan back then and is probably still in contact with him now. They’re probably just trying to fuck with our heads.” I don’t even sound like I believe my own words.

“We shouldn’t have come here.”

“You think?” I set off down the stairs again.

“Did you mean it?”

“Mean what?” I push the door open with my foot and keep moving down the hallway toward my room.

“When you said you only came because Ivan said I would be here.”

“Why the fuck else would I come here, Hellcat? If I never saw this place again, it would be too fucking soon.”

Chapter 89

Arabella

I follow Eli inside his room and close the door behind me. From his tense shoulders and scowl, I know he’s angry. As much as I want to tell him how I feel, the moment is gone. He’s upset about the flowers, and now isn’t the right time to tell him I love him.

I unzip my cases and unpack. It doesn’t take long to have everything folded neatly away. He’s standing where I left him when I turn to face the room.

Eli says nothing. The intensity of his stare leaves me unsettled.

“What?”

“Why would Evan send you flowers when he was obsessed with me?”

I shrug. “He thought I was Zoey, remember?”

Eli’s frown deepens. “You think he’s still that delusional? If that’s the case, why was he moved to a less secure prison?”

I step up to him and brush my lips against his lightly. He returns the kiss. I chase his mouth when he pulls back. My arms band around his waist, and I relax into him, enjoying the way my body feels against his.

“I’m glad you came,” I murmur against his lips. “I’m sorry I never told you about the flowers.”

His eyes darken, jaw tensing. “Why didn’t you fucking tell me?”

“And when was I supposed to do that? We haven’t been in each other’s lives for ten years.”

“Elena would have told me if you’d mentioned it to her.”

“I didn’t want to worry her,” I admit. “Miles knew.”

“Is this why you took self-defense classes?”

“It made sense to be able to protect myself if I were ever in a dangerous situation again.”

He cups my jaw with one hand. “No more secrets.”

I nod. “Okay.”

“I mean it, Ari.” His grip tightens.

I hold his gaze. “I promise.”

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