Page 127 of Dare To Take

“Hit me.” I repeat the words softly.

She shakes her head. I run my knuckles down her cheek, along her jaw, then wrap a hand around her throat. “Hit me.”

“No.”

I glance up at Kellan, who nods. I look like I’m threatening her, and my voice is too low to be heard by anyone around.

“Why not?”

“I don’t want to.”

My head tilts. “Tell me I’m a monster.”

Something flickers behind her eyes. I flex my fingers.

“Say it.”

She stays silent. Kellan nods again.

“I see you, Arabella.”

When she turns white, I know she’s taken it as a threat, a warning. It’s neither, but I can’t explain that to her. Not yet.

I drop my hand and walk back to the table.

“She didn’t hit you.”

“No.”

“You’d think she would, considering the other shit she’s done.”

“So, you think your theory is proved? That she really is following someone’s demands?”

“Certainly looks that way.” A half-smile lifts his lips. “She has her cell in her hand. I guess that someone is in contact with her now. This should be interesting.” He leans back on his seat. “Brace yourself. She’s on her way over.”

We both watch as she makes her slow way over to our table and stops just out of arm’s reach.

Kellan props his chin on his hand. “You don’t look well, Bella.”

Her eyes jerk to him, then settle on me.

“Do it,” I tell her. She stares at me. I smile. “It’s okay, Ari. Whatever it is, just do it.”

Chapter 78

Arabella

My eyes burn, the phone clutched in my grasp. I raise my free hand, swing it, and slap him across the face with no real force behind it.

Eli takes the tap, his gaze still locked on mine. I’m shaking so hard I’m surprised pieces of me aren’t falling off, or maybe that’s just the inside.

“I’m the monster.” The confession leaves me in a whisper.

My cell pings.

My eyes widen, and the tears spill free, and I turn away. I dart through the cafeteria and run blindly outside. My legs carry me across the campus and over the grass. The tree line comes up fast, and I rush along the path to the cemetery. I only stop when I reach the bench. Collapsing onto the dirt beside it, I suck in breath after breath. I’m dizzy from not eating properly, and it’s stolen all the strength I once had.

I see you, Arabella.

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