Page 74 of Dare To Take

“Christmas present from Dad.” My dad has been a car freak for as long as I can remember. He has a garage at home with over fifty different sports cars, all of which he takes out at least once a year. It’s a passion I’ve definitely inherited from him. My love of cars is beaten only by my love of art.

“The school is alive with rumors about your return,” he tells me once we’re settled at a table with drinks.

“What kind of rumors?”

“Your dad had to pay a million dollars for the school to let you return. Your stepmom sucked Principal Warren’s dick to secure his agreement. There’s a restraining order keeping you two hundred feet away from Arabella at all times.”

“I don’t think any of them are true. Pretty sure Elena wouldn’t have sucked dick on my behalf.” I take a sip of coffee. “Does Arabella know?”

“Not sure. She hasn’t said anything. Not that we have conversations. Our interactions mostly consist of her telling me to stop stalking her and me claiming it’s just a happy coincidence I’m wherever she is. I think she has other things on her mind right now, anyway.”

“Like what?”

He taps around on his cell and turns it toward me. A photograph of a blonde covered from head to toe in red … What is that? Paint? Blood? Something must show on my face because Kellan sighs.

“It’s food dye. Bret threw a bucket of the stuff over her head. Miles got to her before I did.”

“Did she report it?”

He shakes his head. “Don’t think so. Just disappeared to her room and stayed there. Silver lining. No one can blame you.”

“I need to talk to her.”

His eyes widen. “Eli, you can’t talk to her. Isn’t that the whole basis of the agreement for you to return to school?”

I scowl. “Like anyone gives a fuck about that.”

“The principal does. And he’s the only thing between you and getting thrown out for good before you graduate.”

I rub the back of my neck. “She’s blocked my number, so you’ll have to be the go-between to work out the fine details. I can’t meet her somewhere public, not until I know for sure she’ll listen to me.”

His eyes are troubled as he stares at me. “Okay, but I want it on record that I think it’s a really bad idea.”

“Noted.” I drain my coffee and stand up. “Let’s go.”

Since Kellan drove to town to meet me in his own car, we have to travel to the school separately. He’s ahead of me when we reach the gates, and he waves his lanyard at security as he drives through. Because I’m in a new car, I pull up and let the window slide down.

“Eli Travers.” The security guard smiles at me. “New car?”

“Lamborghini body kit. It’s really just a Chevy Spark.”

He laughs, hands me back my ID and waves me through. I close the window, sealing myself inside behind the tinted glass.

There are students everywhere. Some of them stop to stare as I drive through toward the parking lot. Logically I know they can’t see me through the tinted windows, but it doesn’t stop my mind from whispering about how they’re watching, judging, waiting to see what I do.

Kellan is out of his car and leaning against the side when I pull into the space beside him.

“Ready to go to war?” he asks when I climb out.

“Born ready.”

Chapter 48

Arabella

Unknown number: Travers has arrived. Intercept him on the way to the dorms. Give everyone a good show. If you don’t, we’ll send the video to your stepdad. He already thinks you’re a whore. The video will confirm it.

My hands shake as I read the message.

---