Page 182 of Dare To Break

He releases me, sits back and grins. “I might just send this to Travers so he can see what he’s missing.”

I scramble back into my bra and top, then scrub away the tears leaking from my eyes. “You got what you wanted. Now take me home.”

I huddle in my seat, and keep my face averted away from him as he starts the car. Staring out the window, I watch the scenery pass by, my thoughts centered inward. Not even my music can soothe me this time. I shudder at the thought of what he might do with that photo.

Maybe I should have just taken a risk with the dark and hitchhiked?

I breathe a sigh of relief as we finally pull up outside in the circular drive of the house. Even before Jace comes to a halt, I’m unbuckling my seatbelt.

“See you back at school.”

Jace smirks. “Have fun with Eli, and let me know if you need a lift back.”

He pops the trunk but neither of them gets out to help me with my case. I’m exhausted, my nerves are frayed, I feel violated, and I just want to get as far away from them as possible. I take out my suitcase and walk up to the door and ring the doorbell. Jace’s car takes off down the road before the door opens. One of the maids greets me with a smile, and I’m ushered into the hallway.

Eli is leaning against the living room door when I enter. Kellan is behind him, and he gives me a friendly smile. My stomach lurches at the sight of both of them.

What’s he doing here?

I don’t delude myself for a second that this hasn’t been planned.

Everything inside me wants to run in the other direction.

Elena emerges from another door, dressed in a figure-hugging pale blue dress. “Arabella, where have you been? You’re late.”

I tighten my grip on the handle of my case. “I got a lift with a friend.”

“Eli arrived home ages ago.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her this isn’t my home, but I swallow the words down like a bitter pill. “I’m going to my room.”

Her eyes narrow on my face. “You look pale.”

I force a weak smile; aware we still have an audience. “I got a little car sick.”

“Go and freshen up, and then we can spend some family time together. There’s a bowl of strawberries in the fridge if you want a healthy snack.”

The last time I tasted one is seared into my brain. I blink fast to stop the burn of tears and duck my head. “No thanks.”

I grab the handle of my suitcase and rush up the staircase.

Chapter 116

Eli

“What the fuck?” It’s the fourth time I’ve uttered the phrase since coming home.

I stop in the doorway. Elena fucking Travers has redecorated the dining room. It’s no longer covered in gray wallpaper, with dark wooden floors. The long table, which was able to seat twelve, has been replaced, and the expensive landscape paintings that graced the walls are gone.

Now there’s a smaller black table in the center of the room, surrounded by six high-back upholstered light gray chairs. The wooden floor is still there, but a textured white and gray rug breaks up the darkness. All the walls have been painted white, aside from one, which is now a deep blue. A large painting is positioned centrally on that wall. The crystal chandelier that had hung above the table has also been replaced. Now it’s a small cluster of pendant lights, giving a less formal look to the entire room.

My jaw clenches. I fucking hate to admit it, but it looks good. Less formal dining and more family intimate. It pains me to like it. But the artist in me appreciates the subtle elegance. She must have hired an interior decorator. There’s no way the woman could have come up with this alone. This, the kitchen, the entrance hall, and the garden have all been updated and I haven’t been able to criticize any of the fucking changes.

Arabella and my father are already seated at the table. She looks up when we enter, then away as soon as our gazes clash.

“Eli! Kellan!” My dad rises to his feet and skirts the table to grab us both. He pulls the pair of us into a rough hug, then waves a hand at the room.

“Didn’t Elena do an amazing job? Come, sit down. Kellan, you’re seated on the right. Eli, sit next to Arabella.”

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