Page 70 of Dare To Take

“I wasn’t.”

I snort. “You just happened to come here at the same time as I am?”

Kellan smiles. “Complete coincidence.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Here.” He straightens away from the door, and holds out a bag.

“What is it?” I don’t move to take it.

“A sandwich. You weren’t at breakfast again this morning, and you can’t keep skipping meals.”

“What are you? My mother?”

“From what I’ve heard, your mother wouldn’t have noticed that you weren’t eating.” He waves the bag at me again.

“I already got some food from the vending machines.” I don’t trust that he hasn’t poisoned whatever is in the bag.

. “You can’t live on candy bars, Arabella.” He takes a step closer. “I can take a bite out of everything if you don’t trust me. But, honestly, I’d rather not. It’s kinda gross. I don’t generally share body fluids with someone unless I’m fucking them.”

“Or Eli?”

His mouth tilts up. “He doesn’t count. We’re basically the same person.”

“You’re nothing like him.”

“Sure, I am. I’m all the nice parts that he’s missing. He’s all the nasty parts I don’t have. Together, we make one reasonably sane person.” He lifts the bag. “I promise. Nothing in here is going to hurt you.”

There’s something in his voice, a tone that makes me believe him, and I am hungry. I take the bag from him and open it to find a wrapped packet of sandwiches, a Hershey’s chocolate bar, and a drink. “How do I know I can trust you?”

Kellan’s burst of laughter bounces off the walls. “Paranoid much? Fine, don’t eat it.”

“I don’t trust this.” I gesture between us.

“This?” One eyebrow lifts.

I nod. “What are we supposed to be now? Frenemies? I don’t believe you’re being nice to me out of the goodness of your heart.”

“Didn’t I just get finished telling you that I’m the nice one?” He takes a slow walk around the altar. “Do you really believe Eli posted the video and the photograph?”

“Yes.”

“I get that you believe he has plenty of motive.” Kellan passes me and does another circuit of the altar. “I know how it looks, but do you really think he would be stupid enough to incriminate himself? Eli is an act-as-soon-as-the-mood-takes-him kind of guy, but he’s not stupid. Besides, with the computer skills I have, I’d be more the likely culprit.”

“You’re his minion.” I point out tightly. “You could have done it for him.”

“So suspicious.” He doesn’t sound upset, though, only amused.

“After what he did to me, why are you so surprised?” I turn away, clutch the bag, and stride for the door. “Thanks for the food.”

I leave the chapel and take off through the trees in the direction of the school. I’m not about to let Kellan mess with my head. Eli’s done enough of that.

I’ve almost reached the tree line when my phone pings. I tug it out of my pocket to check my messages.

Unknown number: Travers is coming back to school in a week. You are going to make his life miserable.

Eli is coming back to school?

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