Page 27 of Double Dare

“So, because he didn’t actually leave town, he doesn’t get that cash?” Adrian asks.

I nod again. “But that’s not all. The only reason I dared him to leave is because I knew it’s what he wanted. My dad didn’t understand though—he’s never understood. He doesn’t treat us like his children. We’re more like investments if that makes sense. He wants us to dote on him and eventually work for him. Dario was in line to actually take over his company since he’s older, but he never wanted that. He wanted to travel and see the world. I thought I was just helping him do that, but I didn’t know our dad would cut him off when he left. So, the life he was used to—more money than he knew what to do with, people at his beck and call—it all disappeared when he did. And I guess he couldn’t handle that and turned to drugs.”

“Why’d your dad cut him off?”

I laugh again and push my back against the wall. “There is no telling. Nothing my dad does makes sense to either of us, but when I saw it happen—him severing all contact and credit cards—and Dario asked me to go too, I couldn’t. I didn’t want to leave everything I had behind, and I think he resents me more for that than anything.”

“You stayed because you didn’t want to lose daddy’s money?” Now he laughs. “Selfish.”

I roll my eyes with a shrug. “I never claimed to be anything else. At least I can admit what I am, unlike Dario.”

He nods like he’s finally understanding or trying to. Shifting the conversation back to where it was leading, I continue. “I thought the dare he gave me was retaliation for all of that—for pushing him out of town—but now I’m realizing that wasn’t it at all.”

“What was your dare?” he asks, staring at me in a way that scares me.

It’s almost as if he’s putting the pieces of his own puzzle together as I’m putting mine in place too. Like he knows the answer and doesn’t want to hear it butneedsto hear it.

“He dared me to make you fall in love,” I breathe, feeling a wash of relief and guilt.

He scoffs. “With you?”

I answer him with my eyes because saying it out loud is too absurd.

“I don’t love,” he states, looking down.

“I know.”

Flicking his eyes back to mine, he replies, “But he doesn’t have to know that.”

I tip my head. Maybe I should be hurt that the man I’m falling for in a twisted, sick way just admitted he doesn’t love me, but I always knew this is how it would be. I knew I didn’t stand a chance at completing my dare because Dario was asking for the impossible. But in the skewed reality I’m now living in, it doesn’t matter. Because although Adrian may not love me, there is something there. And just like me, he’s not ready to admit it.

“What do you mean?”

He stands from the floor and pulls me up with him. “I told you, you’re mine, and what’s mine doesn’t get walked over by anyone but me. We’re going to make Dario pay.”

Another instance I should feel something other than what I am. All my life I’ve looked out for Dario and loved him. He was my best friend and confidant, but he betrayed me without even batting his eyes.

Maybe Adrian is rubbing off on me more than I think because the thought of making Dario pay and ending this game for good does nothing but excite me. I’m sick of cleaning up his every mess. Sick of looking out for him when he doesn’t even do the same. But most of all… I’m sick of worrying about him.

“How are we going to do that?” I reply, feeling defeated.

Wrapping his arms around my waist, he leans into my neck and bites my skin. “Let me worry about that, love. This is my forte and what I do.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

DANICA

Three days is all Adrian gave me to think. Not like I really have a choice to begin with, but in these three days, I’ve come to terms with the dumpster fire that’s now my life. I’ve realized I’m stronger than all this shit—especially with Adrian by my side—and I’m not giving it up.

I shouldn’t want to see my brother murdered, because I know that’s what Adrian means when he says Dario will pay, but at the same time, why should I stop it? He didn’t have a care in the world when it was my life on the line. I’m done being his scapegoat.

“You ready?” Adrian asks.

Staring at myself in the mirror, I debate on the right answer. Really, there is no right answer. I know the moment I walk out that door and down those stairs, I’m going to be different. Up until now, I’ve been balancing on the line of good and evil, but if I go through with this, I’m diving into the bad side.

Into Adrian’s side.

“I’m ready,” I finally reply.

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