Page 38 of Dare To Fall

A shadow falls over my table. I lift my gaze and find Garrett, Bret, Kevin, Jace, and Evan surrounding me.

Garrett drops down onto the chair beside me. “I was a little disappointed you weren’t in your room last night. We couldn’t find you anywhere. I was looking forward to peeling off that pretty dress you wore.”

It was them.

Clutching the coffee cup tighter between my hands, I focus on the heat of the liquid inside but don’t reply.

They came for me. He’d threatened they would.

“We had a party without you.” Evan snickers. “Left you a present.”

“Looks like Arabella had some fun with someone else.” Bret points out. “Makes me wonder where else he left his mark.”

I flinch when Jace’s not-so-gentle fingers brush one of the bruises on my neck.

“Did you spread your legs for Kellan last night?” His voice is rough, and I don’t miss the hint of envy. “You were practically fucking him on the dance floor.”

Garrett’s hand lands on my thigh under the table and inches upward. “Bella, Bella, Bella. If you’re that desperate for dick, we’re more than willing to give you what you want.”

I grab his wrist before he can get any higher. “Leave me alone.”

He smiles. “But you like our attention, don’t you?”

I have to stop myself from darting a look in Kellan and Eli’s direction to beg for help. Every reaction I give will be seen. No one is going to help me. No one ever does.

“Slut.” The high-pitched shriek comes from the right. I have a split second to raise my free hand to protect myself as Tina throws the contents of the cup she’s holding all over me. I cry out as pain sears over my forearm.

Chapter 23

Eli

Kellan stops me before I wade into the group of boys crowding around Arabella. When Tina comes screaming from out of nowhere, he grips my wrist and pins it to the table.

“Don’t fucking move. I’ve got this.”

He rises to his feet, brushes his hands over his thighs, then strolls over to where Tina is screaming obscenities in Arabella’s face.

“Ladies … ladies.” He slips through a gap between Evan and Bret, putting himself between Arabella and Tina. “I’m sorry, my love.” He holds out a hand to Tina. “If I’d known you have feelings for me, I’d have absolutely let you get on your knees and suck my dick. Darling, you should have said something.” His fingers clamp around her wrist. “Let’s go and resolve that right now.” His eyes flick toward me.

I stand and move toward the doors.

“Get the fuck off me, Kellan.” Tina tries to twist free.

“No, no. That’s not how it works, my sweet.”

He pulls her toward the door. I slip through it before she spots me. The last thing I want to do is leave Arabella alone to deal with the jackals inside, but I understand the look Kellan threw at me.

It’s time for the Monster of Churchill Bradley to come out to play.

If we’re right and this is all about reactions, then I’m going to give Tina one she’s not going to forget.

Kellan steps through the doors, Tina in tow. My hand flashes out, and I have her pinned to the wall by her throat before she realizes Kellan has released her. Crowding close, I press my mouth against her ear.

“How many times do I have to explain to you fucking idiots that you do not get to play with my toys. You remember that video of you with the girl? Do you want me to release the other one where you’re fucking her pussy with your tongue?”

“Eli!” She squeaks my name.

I flex my fingers. “What you’re going to do is go back in there and apologize. If her arm is burned by what you’ve just done, I’ll be doing the same to you.”

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