Page 45 of Dare To Break

I dash out of the building and sprint across the grass, heading for the tree line. The adrenaline driving through me burns the anxious feelings away. My sneakers pound against the earth as I aim for my target. Breathing steadily, I run fast, moving on autopilot as I watch for the bench.

It takes me a while to find it. Carved out of wood, it’s old and weather-beaten. My gaze immediately gravitates to the small black box that’s been left underneath it. Releasing a long low breath, I stand staring at it as my heart rate slows and the sweat cools on my skin.

I pull my earbuds out, and press stop on the current song playing.

Am I sure I still want to play this game? A voice cautions in the back of my head. An ember of common sense holds me captive as I listen to the silence around me.

“Yes,” I whisper, the want for this stronger than anything I’ve felt before. The need for that glorious, sweet rush I’ve barely tasted.

Crouching, I carefully pick up the box and then sink down onto the edge of the bench. When I open the lid, there’s a bar of chocolate inside. My favorite. A Hershey’s cookies ‘n’ cream.

Am I being watched? It’s the only way they’d know that.

The thought should be unsettling. Instead, my stomach tightens pleasurably, and I move restlessly on the bench.

My gaze shifts to the piece of cloth folded next to the chocolate. Keeping the box balanced on my lap, I lift the material up by the edge.

Everything inside me tenses, and a breath whooshes out past my lips.

I check for spectators, but I’m still alone, then stare at the strip of material dangling from my fingers.

Why a blindfold?

There’s only one way to find out. Standing, I take the chocolate bar and blindfold, and tuck them away into my pocket. I place the empty box where I found it, and head back to school.

At this point, I’m not sure if I should be scared or excited.

I’m sure about one thing, though.

I’m not ready to stop.

Chapter 28

Eli

Arabella makes no attempt to conceal her approach and I’m hidden in the trees by the time she reaches the bench. She takes the box I’ve left, and examines the contents. When she glances around, I duck down. I know she can’t see me. Kellan checked my location from every angle so that I could be here when she arrived.

She pockets the blindfold and chocolate bar, and hurries away. I pull out my cell and text Kellan.

Me: She took everything. Game on. Post the next dare. She’ll be back in the building shortly.

I receive a thumbs-up in response. Leaving Kellan to deliver the note, I head to the tomb. We’ve been fortunate that no one has ever tried to get inside it. I’m not sure why. They’ve explored every other part of the cemetery. Maybe they’re scared of the rumors of ghosts. Maybe they’re just content not to break open Lord Bradley’s resting place. Or maybe they’re not driven to know everything about where they live like I am. I’ve always been driven by a need to know everything about … well, everything.

I move around the tomb, my fingers trailing across the marble coffin situated in the center. If all goes well, she’ll find this place soon. Not tonight, but in a couple of days. When I’m ready. When I’m sure she is in too deep to back out.

When my cell chimes to tell me Kellan has successfully left the note, I head back to school. My guess is Arabella will go directly to her locker. She’s been checking it all weekend, waiting for a new dare. She’s already becoming addicted to the thrill. It’s been obvious in her behavior. I’m curious to see how far I can push that.

I detour along the hallway which holds the lockers and, sure enough, she’s standing in front of hers, the door open as she stares down at something. Her bottom lip is caught between her teeth, and the pose sends a shot of lust through me. I want to replace her teeth with mine. I want to bite into the soft, plump flesh and leave my mark. I want her on her knees, like she was in my dream.

She thinks she’s the predator. Her and her mother. Stalking rich families and draining them dry. But she’s about to learn that she’s met her match. She’s the prey now. To be stalked, toyed with, feasted on, and used.

I purposely let my shoe scrape across the floor, and she jerks, head turning. Her eyes widen when she spots me, and she slams her locker closed. I say nothing, moving forward at a steady pace. When I reach her, I knock into her with my shoulder, sending her back a step. The folded sheet of parchment falls from her grip.

She crouches and snatches it back up before anyone else spots it. I don’t acknowledge her and keep going, ducking my head to hide my smirk.

Kellan is at the end of the hallway. He pushes away from the wall and falls into step beside me.

“Well?”

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