Page 78 of Dare To Fall

“Stop fucking fighting,” a voice growls in my ear.

Chapter 49

Eli

“And you’re set on this? You can’t think of any other way?” Kellan twirls his car keys around one finger.

“I’ve spent all week trying to think of another way. This is all I have. It makes sense.”

“No, Eli, it doesn’t make any fucking sense at all.”

“It makes sense to me. If you don’t want to do it, just say, so and I’ll figure it out myself.”

“Fuck that. You know I’m going to help you. I just need to make sure you’re not doing this from some crazy headspace.”

“I’m not crazy.” My voice is soft. “I think I’m actually more clear-headed than I’ve been in weeks.”

“Maybe crazy is the wrong word.” He unlocks his car and we both climb in. I had my car sent back home after Arabella keyed it, so I’m relying on Kellan to drive. “Desperate might be a better description.”

I laugh quietly at that. “Maybe. A little bit.”

He reverses out of his parking space and drives off the school grounds. I turn on his stereo and connect it to my phone. A few seconds later, ‘Bath Salts’ by Highly Suspect blares through the speakers.

“You know you shouldn’t play this kind of music when I’m driving. It makes me put my foot on the gas.” Kellan lowers the volume so he can talk to me.

I tip my head against the seat and close my eyes. “It also keeps you awake. There’s a five-hour journey ahead.”

“Oh, I see. You’re going to nap, while I drive.”

“I think I’m going to need all the sleep I can get before we arrive.”

He chuckles. “Yep, you’re definitely going to be sleeping with one eye open for the next week.”

“Do you really think it’s a bad idea?” I straighten.

“It’s a fucking abysmal idea, but you’re right. It’s the only option you have, so we’ll run with it and see what happens.”

***

Her knee barely narrowly misses connecting with my dick, and I shift position, straddling her waist.

“Fuck’s sake, stop it!” I grab her wrists and pin her hands above her head, while I pull off the ski mask with my free hand. “It’s me.”

The remaining color drains from her face, and her struggles become wild as she tries to buck me off her body. I expected her to fight, to scream, to try and escape. I am prepared for all of that. After what happened the last time she saw me, it’s no surprise.

And it’s why I did things this way. She would never have agreed to speak to me if I’d asked.

“Ari, please.”

She spits in my face, hurling curses, and somehow manages to get one hand free. There’s a sharp sting across my cheek as she rakes her nails down it.

“Get off me. You bastard. Get away from me!”

Her hand slams into my chest twice before I can catch hold and resecure it above her head with the other. “Listen to me.”

But she doesn’t. She’s too busy screaming at me.

“Ari, it’s okay.” I release her hands and roll off her, rising to my feet. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

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