Page 132 of Dare To Take

My gaze jerks to the other one, where it sits on my nightstand. I crawl toward it. I’d switched it on earlier to check for a response, but there had been nothing, as usual.

I tap the screen.

Sin: I’m sorry, Kitten. Meet me at the bench. Usual time. Tomorrow night.

I sit and just stare at the words.

Sin?

Sin has responded.

Am I dreaming?

This can’t be real. He’s left me hanging all this time.

Emotion thickens my throat, and a fresh wave of tears falls. I clutch the phone in both hands and bow my head over it in an agony of relief. Then anger stirs.

Me: Where have you been? I’ve been texting you for weeks.

Sin: I’ll explain tomorrow.

Me: Can I trust you?

I watch the dots undulate, stop, and start again.

Sin: You trusted me with your body. Trust me again. I swear, Kitten, I want to help you.

My tears fall harder, building in momentum until they are pouring down my cheek.

Help me? I’ve been desperate for someone to say that for so long. I crave it with every fiber of my being. My thoughts turn to Miles and what happened to him.

Can I really take the chance? Do I dare risk it?

Me: The last person I tried to talk to got hurt.

More tears surge, and a sob wrecks my body. This isn’t going to work. He can’t help me. No one can.

The dots start their dance again.

Sin: Kitten, I promise nothing is going to happen to me.

He doesn’t know that. I thought Miles had been safe, but it was just a lie.

What if something goes wrong? What if they find out?

Sin: Baby, I know you’re scared, and I’m so fucking sorry for not replying sooner.

Sin: Kitten, are you there?

I’m torn between the need to answer and switching off the phone. I suck in a shaky breath but can’t shake an impending sense of doom.

Next time, it won’t be a bunny.

Sin: Kitten, please answer me.

The desperate desire to confide in someone wins, and I shoot off a text.

Me: I’m here.

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