Page 17 of Double Dare

I nod and try to steady my breathing. “You’re sadistic,” I whisper.

“And you’re a bitch,” he remarks, leaning down and clamping onto my ass with his teeth.

The pain is worse than his spanks. With them, the torture was at least spread out from his massive hands. This is concentrated to one spot though, and I’m already more than sore.

With every bit of strength I can muster, I push myself up and make the hold his teeth have on me fall. Jumping to my feet, I stand in front of him and reach out to deliver a strike of my own across his face.

He catches my wrist, and his eyes burn into mine as he smiles. My blood dribbles from the corner of his mouth down to his chin. “Go enjoy the night, love. I’ll be watching.” Dropping my hand, he uses his thumb to wipe the trail of blood on his face, then sucks it off his finger.

“Fuck you, Adrian.” I seethe, turning to storm out of the VIP booth.

When I make it to the door, I hear him speak before I close it. “I’ll fuck you when you stop acting like a brat.”

As I rush down the steps, the music gets louder. The bass beats in my chest and only fuels my anger and embarrassment. When I make it to the door, I open it and look for indications of the bathroom. With the small neon sign readingRestroomsin sight, I start my trek. Maybe I can break out a window and escape, but that leaves Dario in Adrian’s path, and I’m not sure I could live with that. So, I opt for cleaning myself up instead and acting like this entire thing never happened.

I get halfway through the dance floor when someone grabs my arm. It isn’t aggressive like I’ve grown so accustomed to, so it’s a little shocking. Turning around, I see a man who’s a good foot taller than me with ashy hair and pretty blue eyes.

“Wanna dance?” he asks, shouting over the blaring music.

I know I should say no. Really, I do, but if Adrian wants to be a prick, I’ll show him I can too. At this point, he’s been pulling all the strings, and I’m sick of it. I have nothing in my arsenal against him, so I might as well do what I know will get a rise out of him.

I nod and step closer to the man, letting his hands rest on my hips before looking up to the blacked-out glass I know Adrian is watching from. “What’s your name?” I ask, leaning even closer.

“Adam. And you?”

“Danica.”

He nods and moves his body in sync with mine, letting the music push and pull us with its beat.

We dance for a few songs, and I’m surprised, and thankful, Adrian hasn’t stormed down here and made his presence known.

When the song ends, Adam leans into me. “Want to get some fresh air?”

Saying fuck it to all expectations Adrian has for me, I nod and let him lead me off the dance floor and to the back door. I’m already pushing boundaries and breaking rules that haven’t even been discussed, so why not go all out.

Adam pushes open the big metal door and steps out into the alley. I follow, wrapping my arms around myself to try and fight the cold air. Out here, it’s quieter just like in the VIP booth, and there aren’t any people. At least, none I noticed at first.

“So, where are you from, Danica?” Adam asks, reaching into his jacket pocket for a cigarette and lighter.

I shrug and lean against the brick of the building. “Here, I guess. We moved to Port Howe when I was ten.”

He nods, taking a drag from his cigarette and blowing the smoke out around us. “I see. Did you come here alone tonight?”

I tip my head. “Kind of a weird question.” I laugh, pushing off the wall. “Are you trying to ask if I have a boyfriend?”

He shakes his head with a grin. “No. I’m asking so I know if anyone will come looking for you.”

His reply doesn’t make any sense to me until a pair of arms wrap around the back of me and hoist me in the air. Immediately, my fight or flight kicks in. Obviously, I’ve never been a good fighter. That’s abundantly clear in my dealings with Adrian, so right now I need to run.

I kick my feet behind me, doing my best to try and break free from the hold this random person has on me. As I squirm and wiggle, I keep my eyes on Adam. Slowly, he stalks forward as two other men appear from the shadows behind the dumpsters.

“So did you?” Adam asks again.

Seeing as I can’t get free, I go with my gut and hope like hell it works. “No. I’m here with Adrian Youngblood.” I try to sound braver than I am, but my teeth clatter together, showing them just how fearful I really am.

I drop Adrian’s name, hoping it will steer them in the direction of letting me go because everyone in Port Howe knows him. And everyone in Port Howe fears him.

Amusement flashes in his eyes. “Even better. We have Adrian’s bitch!” he shouts, throwing his cigarette down and raising his hands in the air like he’s thanking God.

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