Page 135 of Dare To Fall

“You little bitch.” Lacy’s shriek echoes down the hallway.

As I turn, she comes at me with her nails. It takes a split second for me to realize she’s going for the necklace Eli gave me. I lift one hand to protect it, and swing my other.

The crack of my palm across her cheek is loud in the sudden silence. “If you ever threaten me or try to touch me again, you’ll regret it.”

Chapter 91

Eli

Kellan stops me, one hand on my arm, as I move toward Arabella and Lacy.

“She needs to do this alone.” His voice is low in my ear. “If you rush in and rescue her every time she’s targeted, it’ll just make them more determined. Let her fight this battle, Eli. She’s not weak. She just needs to figure it out for herself.”

It takes every ounce of self-control I have not to shake him off when Lacy launches herself at Arabella. But my concern is unnecessary. Ari’s hand flashes up and connects with Lacy’s cheek in a loud slap, which echoes along the hallway.

“If you ever threaten me or try to touch me again, you’ll regret it.” The threat is delivered in a cool tone, and then she turns, eyes searching me out.

Kellan’s hand drops and we both move forward to meet her. For a brief second, I look past her to where Lacy is standing, hand pressed to her cheek, eyes burning as she stares at us, then I shift my gaze down to Ari. I stroke a finger down her cheek, over her lips, then dip my head to kiss her, just a quick press of lips; otherwise, I’ll end up dragging her somewhere private for more.

“I like it when my little Hellcat comes out to play,” I murmur against her mouth, then straighten, so I can wrap my arm around her shoulders and tuck her into my side. “What was Lacy’s drama?”

Her hand slides around my waist and squeezes my hip. “Apparently, you belong to her.”

“I do? I don’t recall getting that memo.”

“It’s okay. I cleared up her misunderstanding.”

I stop in the middle of the hallway and turn to face her. “Yes. You did. And I’m so fucking proud of you for it.” I drop my arm from her shoulder and take her hand. “We’ve done the ‘fuck me’ part, you did the ‘fight me’ part, so I guess it’s time for the ‘feed me’ part of the day.” I lift her hand to my mouth and kiss her fingers, one by one. “Ready for me to play with my food?”

She turns scarlet. “You said at lunchtime. It’s only ten.”

“Lunch, mid-morning snack. What’s the difference?” I shrug. “I’m hungry now.” I tug her toward the doors which lead outside.

“You’re hungry?” Kellan catches up with us.

I grin. Ari’s cheeks darken further. Kellan rolls his eyes, then slaps my shoulder. “Fine. You go and do nasty things to your girl in public. I’ve got somewhere to be.”

I swing my head to look at him. “Oh? Where are you going?”

He smiles. “Just a couple of things I need to do. I’ll see you in English.” He picks up speed and moves ahead of us.

I stare after him, flicking my tongue piercing against my teeth.

“Is he okay?” Ari’s voice draws my attention back down to her.

“Hmmm? Oh … yeah.” But I’m not convinced. He’s up to something, I just don’t know what it is. “Come on. Snack time.”

***

Kellan doesn’t show up for English or lunch. Ari checks our room when she goes back to put on a pair of panties for the rest of the day, and reports that he’s not in there, either. When I text him to ask where he is, I get a winking emoji in reply.

Is he fucking around on Miles? I know he’s not with the swim team captain, because he’s sitting opposite me. Kellan has always been a bit of a free spirit where sex is concerned. I can’t recall him ever being in a committed monogamous relationship. But I know from the way Miles reacted when he walked in on the three of us, that the swim captain isn’t like that. He wants commitment, and if Kellan is getting his kicks elsewhere, then it won’t be long before Miles walks away from him.

“Do you think whoever it is still texts my other cell?” Ari’s voice is quiet.

Me and Miles both look at her.

“They don’t know I have a new cell. What if they were texting throughout spring break? I feel like we’re just waiting for something to happen. What if they think I’m just ignoring them?”

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