Page 63 of Dare To Fall

“Because I didn’t fucking do them either.”

There’s a pain behind my eyes. I pinch the bridge of my nose.

“I swear to you this wasn’t me.”

“Spring break is in two and a half weeks. You have until then to sort this issue out. I do not want to see you in my office again.” He nods toward the door. “Out.”

Kellan pushes away from the wall when I exit and falls into step beside me.

“Did you find her?”

He shakes his head. “She’s not answering calls or texts. She’s not in her room, the tomb, or the chapel.”

The pain in my head is getting worse. I rub my forehead. “Where the fuck could she be?”

“It’s not important. What did Warren say?”

“That if all the bullshit doesn’t stop, he’s kicking us both out.” I stop. “What the fuck am I supposed to do? If I retaliate, she thinks I hate her. If I don’t retaliate, they’re going to do much worse than …” I shake my head. I can’t even finish the sentence.

The pain behind my eyes is spreading. I press the heel of my head to the bridge of my nose.

“You don’t look well.” An arm wraps around my shoulders. “Let’s go back to our room and talk this out.”

“And what if they come for her again, Kell? Because I’m hiding away where she can’t fucking cause shit.”

He pats my shoulder. “We’ll worry about that later.”

***

It’s three am. Kellan is asleep across the room, but I’ve been tossing and turning all night. My head is still throbbing. I’ve taken a couple of painkillers which eased the headache for a little while, but now it’s back.

My cell … Sin’s cell … is in my hand. I’ve lost count of the number of texts I’ve sent. All ignored. I swing my legs off the bed and stand. Pulling on a pair of sweats and a t-shirt, I slip out of the door, and creep up to the next floor.

The lights are dimmed in the hallways and everywhere is silent. When I reach Arabella’s room, I stop and rest my palm against the door, pull out my cell with my free hand and text her.

Me: I’m outside. Open the door.

I wait.

Nothing. No response via text, and no sound coming from the room. Chewing on my lip ring, I study the handle, then pull out a bunch of keys. It takes four attempts before I find one that fits the lock, and I click it open and step inside.

“Ari?” I keep my voice low as I move across the room to her bed.

She’s huddled beneath the sheets, barely visible. I sit on the edge of the mattress.

“Ari?”

She doesn’t move. I sigh.

“I’m sorry. Why didn’t you tell me?” I scrub a hand down my face. “It doesn’t fucking matter. I crossed a line today. I’m so fucking sorry. I thought I could control it, but I can’t.”

I glance over at her. Her eyes are closed, breathing steady. I stand and brush a finger over her cheek.

“I’m sorry.”

Standing, careful not to disturb her, I walk out, locking the door behind me and head back down to my room.

Chapter 40

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