Page 124 of Dare To Take

His lips compress into a line, and he shakes his head.

“It’s not me.”

“I know it’s not you. But it could have been.”

“What are you talking about?” Miles leans forward, eyes intent on Kellan.

“Nothing.” I answer before my friend does. “It’s not the same.”

“Isn’t it?” His eyes bore into mine. “Think about it, Eli. This was where you were heading before your plans changed. And where did you get the idea from? Someone else doing it. Is it such a stretch to think that you’re not the only one who had the same idea?”

My jaw clenches. He’s making sense. Too much sense. Has someone been behind the shit Arabella has been doing all this time? If that’s true … I don’t even want to finish that thought.

“How do we find out?”

“If I’m right, she’ll get another text with instructions. We need to watch her. Look for a pattern. Although I think it’s already there. She was getting messages in class this morning, and then she kept tossing you smiles.” He pushes his hair off his face. “How did we not see this sooner?”

“We weren’t looking for it.” My voice is soft. “If someone is behind this, I want to know who, and I want to know why she hasn’t told anyone.”

“Then we need to behave like we haven’t figured it out. If she does anything else, you keep control and don’t fucking react. Do you think you can do that?”

Chapter 76

Arabella

Bypassing the cafeteria, I give up on the pretense of going to have breakfast. There’s no point when the thought of food just makes me sick. My eyes feel gritty, and I sleepwalk through the campus toward class. The little sleep I did have was full of nightmares that left me soaked in sweat and screaming.

I’m numb.

This cycle is never going to stop. I’m stuck in an endless loop of destruction.

I’d been late back to classes yesterday, waiting for Eli to strike out at me. Instead, he and Kellan had sat and glared at me all afternoon. By the time dinner rolled around, I’d been thankful to scurry back to my room.

At least on Friday, there won’t be any classes as it’s the Valentine’s Day Ball, and we’ve all been given the day off. Just two more days of torture, and then I can stay buried in my room for three whole days.

I’m so lost in worry over what Eli might do that I’m not aware of someone beside me until a heavy arm drops around my shoulders.

“Are you looking forward to the Ball, Arabella?” Jace squeezes me tightly into his side. “We’re going to make it real special for you.”

Garrett leers at me from the other side of Jace. “I don’t think we need flowers and chocolate to get her pussy wet.”

I don’t respond. There’s no fight left in me to give.

Jace pulls me to a stop and swings me around. Bret and Evan stand in front of me.

Bret licks his lips. “You’ll spread your legs for us, won’t you, Arabella.”

“I bet she’ll be able to handle the four of us.” Evan joins in.

“Five. Brad said he wants a piece of this.” Jace’s grip on my arm tightens painfully. “What’s the matter, Arabella? Got nothing to say?”

I keep my gaze down, pinned on the front of his jacket. “I need to get to class.”

“Fuck, just look at her,” Bret mutters. “I think Travers broke her.”

“Are you the monster’s whore?” Garrett questions with a sneer.

All I want is for them to leave me alone.

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