Page 62 of Dare To Break

He flops onto his bed. “Fuck, no. I’m going to lie here and look pretty.”

“Who for?”

“Myself, of course. Come and get me when you’re done, and we’ll go for breakfast before heading to town.” He lifts his head off the pillow. “You’re driving, right?”

“Where’s your car?”

He waves a hand toward the window. “Oh, at least a mile further from the school than yours.”

“A mile?” I repeat, my voice dry.

He huffs. “Fine. It’s parked next to yours. I just don’t want to drive.”

***

‘Johnny Wants To Fight’ by Badflower is loud in my ears as I pound along the path through the woods.

It’s early, and there’s mist rising from the ground, giving the whole area an almost ethereal feel. The stillness around me, the music in my ears, and the repetitive action of putting one foot in front of the other sends me into a meditative state, and I’m almost on top of the girl ahead of me before I spot her.

Her blonde hair is up in a high ponytail, and it swings back and forth as she jogs ahead of me. I manage to pull my speed before I crash into her and drop back a few yards. She hasn’t noticed me, and I slow to a walk until there’s a bigger gap between us before picking up speed. I measure my pace to hers, my eyes on her back. When the bench appears ahead, her jog turns into a slow walk until she stops in front of it.

I could jog past her, or I could stop. I’m tempted, I have to admit. It’s not dark, but we’re here alone. My dick stirs and so does my anger, and I’ve stopped before I realize I’ve made the decision. I’m behind her, near enough that I can see the light blonde hair that’s come loose from her hairband and the pulse fluttering at the base of her throat.

“Accidents happen to girls who venture into the woods alone.” I don’t know if she’ll hear me. This close behind her, I can see the earbuds in her ears. She jumps. That answers that question.

She spins. “Eli!” Her eyes widen, then dart past me.

“You’re out of luck, Princess. There’s no one to hear you scream.”

She takes a step back, and her legs hit the bench. I follow her, crowding into her space until she has no choice but to sit.

“When are you going to get the message and fuck off back to where you came from? You’re not fucking wanted here. You don’t belong.”

Her chin comes up and her chest moves as she sucks in a breath. “I have friends. You’re the one who doesn’t fit in, Eli.”

I smile, and the color drains from her cheeks. “Friends? You think they’re your friends?” My laughter echoes through the trees. “Lacy sees you as her pet project. Her new little doll that she can dress and pose in the positions she wants. Jace and the rest of the football team? They just want you on your knees, sucking their dicks. They’re not your friends, Princess. They’ll turn on you as soon as you stop performing tricks for them.”

Her throat moves as she swallows. “Is that what happened to Zoey? Did she stop behaving how you wanted her to? Is that why you hurt her?”

My mind blanks at Zoey’s name, and then anger, bitter and hot, surges forward. I have a hand around her throat before I even think about it. Forcing her head back, I shove her against the bench and lean over her.

“If I ever hear her name come out of your mouth again, I’ll break your fucking neck,” I snarl.

Her hands lift to claw at my fingers, and I squeeze, slowly trapping the air in her throat. Her eyes widen, her lips part, and finally, fear seeps into her expression.

“Understand this, Princess. These are my woods. You are not fucking welcome in them, and soon you won’t be welcome at the school either.” I tighten my grip, and she gapes, face turning red as she battles for air. “Stay out of my way, Arabella.” I give one final shove, and her head snaps back, hitting the wooden backrest of the bench.

Without another word, I twist away and continue my jog back to the school.

Chapter 41

Arabella

Fear roaring through my veins, I push off the bench and run in the opposite direction to Eli. I can still feel his fingers around my throat, squeezing the breath from my body. The memory of the hate in his eyes keeps my legs moving until I’m almost clear of the wood.

Oh god, he tried to strangle me.

My heart is thrashing so wildly in my chest. It’s as though it’s trying to burrow its way out past my ribs. I turn back, and search for any signs of Eli, but the path is empty.

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