Page 84 of Dare To Fall

“I know you’re there. Why are you following me?”

I step forward. “Because I know the area, and you don’t. I don’t want you to get lost.”

“Why did you bring me here?”

“I told you why. We need to talk.”

“I don’t want to talk to you. Don’t you get it?” Her fingers curl into fists. “I don’t even want to look at you. You make me sick!”

“I know.” My voice is soft. “I’m sorry, Ari.”

Her lip curls. “You’re sorry? The monster is sorry? For what? What are you sorry for, Eli? For almost killing me or for not finishing the job?”

“I can’t change what happened, but if you—”

“Leave me alone.” She reaches down, scoops up a handful of rocks and throws them at me.

I don’t even try to avoid them, and they hit my chest and arms before bouncing off and falling to the ground.

“I can’t leave you alone. Not out here. Come back to the cabin. Let me explain.”

“Explain?” Her laughter is shrill. “You mean twist the truth until I don’t know what’s real and what’s pretend?”

“No, I—”

“I said leave me alone!” She spins away and sets off again.

I shove my hands into my pockets and follow her.

Chapter 54

Arabella

Shoulders hunched, I walk until my legs hurt, aware of Eli shadowing me the whole way. The anger inside me seethes and builds. He’s trapped me here, and now he won’t leave me be. I’m pretty sure he’s just worried I might find someone to help me escape.

“Ari, enough. Stop,” Eli calls from some distance behind me. “You’ve been walking in a circle for hours. There’s nothing out here.”

“You’re lying.” I snap, not turning around or slowing my pace. “There must be another cabin out here somewhere.”

“There isn’t. My dad bought the place because it was so remote.”

I huff. “Of course, he did.”

“Let’s head back.”

Fingers close around my arm, and I flinch away. Swiveling, I find Eli right behind me. I shove him away. “You’re insane!”

He rubs his face with one hand. “I’m just trying to keep you safe.”

“Safe? Safe?” I stare into his beautiful face, his slashing cheekbones and black lashes framing his green eyes. “You broke me.”

Eli doesn’t say a word.

My anger boils over, coursing like molten lava through my veins. “You made my life miserable. I was choking on air while you tormented and bullied me.”

His jaw flexes. “I was protecting you.”

“Protecting me?” I give a scornful laugh. “Maybe in your screwed-up head, but in reality, you’re the villain, Eli. The bad guy. The bully. You turned my world into a living hell.”

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