Page 62 of Dare To Take

My footsteps take me to Churchill Bradley’s tomb. I curl my fingers around the solid metal padlock and pull, but it doesn’t give.

Has Sin been back?

It feels like a lifetime ago since I was here last. I place my palm on the metal door and lower my head until my forehead is resting against the cold surface.

Does he know I’m back? Will he contact me?

I’d do anything for the strength he’d given me before. It’s something I’m going to need for the weeks ahead. His words made me strong, and I need that right now.

I push away from the tomb and move toward a short column of stone beside one of the headstones.

“Hey. I brought you something.” I kneel and place the rose below the plaque that says Zoey Rivers, the red petals bright against the dirt. “I’m back, and I didn’t forget you.”

“You know, talking to a bunch of graves is kinda creepy.”

I twist my head around. Kellan leaning against a tree, watching me. “I was talking to Zoey.”

“She’s not buried here.” His voice is soft, his smile sad.

“I know.”

We stare at each other for a moment.

“What do you want?” I finally ask.

He pushes away from the tree and strolls toward me, hands shoved deep in his jeans pockets. “I’m just out here stalking girls brave enough to come into the woods.” His lips tip up. “You looked lonely.”

I rise slowly from the ground and brush the dirt off the knees of my black jeans.

“If you’re trying to take photos of me doing something nefarious, you’re going to be disappointed. Eli can fuck right off, and you can be a good little minion and go with him.”

I expect a mocking comeback, but his expression turns serious.

“Watch yourself around Jace. He’s still pissed over what Eli did.”

I toss my head. “And why the hell should I care?”

Kellan stills, tilting his head to study my expression and purses his lips. “You don’t know, do you? Jace sent Eli the photograph of you with your tits out when you came home for Thanksgiving.”

I recall the accusations Eli had thrown at me over the photo. “I know—”

“Eli beat the shit out of him.”

My heart jolts with shock. “What? Eli beat Jace up?”

Kellan nods. “For forcing you into that situation.”

I absorb the knowledge in silence.

Why the fuck would Eli care? He’s been sharing naked photos and videos of me with the entire goddamn world. Was he pissed that someone else had one of me? Does Kellan know that Eli and I had sex? Is that why he’s lurking to keep tabs on me?

I give Zoey’s plaque one last look. “I should get back to my room.”

“I’ll walk with you.”

“I don’t need an escort, especially from you.” I eye him with suspicion as I make my way toward the path.

Kellan falls into step beside me. “I’m just trying to be a nice guy here.”

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