Page 137 of Dare To Take

I stalk across the room again. I hate this out of control feeling.

Another glance at my cell tells me that my anxiety is too high for me to make sense of the numbers on the screen.

But my alarm isn’t going off, so I know it’s not time to leave yet.

Will she be there?

I sit on the edge of my bed, one leg bouncing up and down, my anxiety levels higher than they’ve ever been in my life.

Maybe I should text her to confirm.

I’ve purposely stayed out of her way today, to try and reduce the chance of her being told to do something to me. Kellan kept a watchful eye on her and reported earlier that she didn’t keep checking her cell, so maybe they’ve left her in peace.

Or maybe they know you’ve arranged to meet her tonight, and this is all a fucking setup.

I shake my head, denying the whisper that tries to convince me not to go.

What if she already knows you’re Sin, and this is just a way to get you outside without any witnesses?

She almost killed you once, with the GHB. Who’s to say this isn’t all part of the next step of their plan?

No, I don’t believe she’s part of this. No one could fake the fear I saw in her eyes.

What if the texts aren’t from her? What if someone else has the cell?

What if …

What if …

What if …

“No!” I snarl the word aloud.

Another time-check—nope, still can’t make head nor tail of the numbers.

How do I tell her it’s me without her thinking I’m fucking with her? Or worse, taking off through the woods. How do I explain that when all this started, my intention was to release the videos myself. She’s never going to believe it wasn’t me if I do that.

I rake a hand through my hair.

Fuck. I’m screwed, no matter what I do.

I jump to my feet.

I need some air, otherwise, I’m going to lose my mind. As I reach for the handle, there’s a pounding on the door, and someone shouts my name.

Chapter 84

Arabella

The second the clock hits an hour after curfew, I slip from my room. Every single tiny noise has me jumping out of my skin. I scurry along the hallway, my heart in my mouth, and make my way to the exit.

Please don’t see me. Please don’t see me.

The words chant over and over inside my head. It will only take one mistake for this all to go wrong. Stepping into the cold air outside, I suck in a breath. I have to be careful with the extra security the school now has. I duck back into the shadows by the wall of the building and scan the area slowly. Nothing moves. Nothing stirs. I stand frozen, willing my legs to move.

How many times have I done this before to go and meet Sin?

It feels like a lifetime ago.

---