Page 13 of Double Dare

My mouth falls open. “You said you wouldn’t kill him if I came!” I scream.

With the man last night, it shocked me. It made me realize just how real all this shit is and how deep I’m in it. But now, I don’t even feel surprised. It’s like subconsciously I already knew this would be the outcome, and all Adrian wanted was to prove a point—a point he didn’t have to. I know he’s a fucking lunatic. I know he’s not scared of shit. But something deep in my gut tells me it’s more than that.

All his actions have a purpose, and that purpose is to break me.

I wouldn’t have known it before, but his words last night echo inside my mind, reminding me.Breaking you is going to be so fun.It’s too bad for him, though, that no matter what he does, I won’t give him the satisfaction. I’m going to remain strong and show him I can be just as bad as him.

Adrian stands from the chair and walks to where I sit on the table. Grabbing a lock of my hair, he brings it to his nose and inhales deeply. “No. I said I would kill him if you didn’t come. I never said I wouldn’t.”

Sliding off the table, I’m careful not to step in the pink liquid on the floor as I push him back. “Why did you kill him, Adrian? And why do I have to be the one to witness all this shit—why me? Before yesterday, you had no idea I even existed, and now you’ve made it your mission to torture me.” I ask the one question I still don’t have an answer to.

He shakes his head. “Because you’re a horrible faker. And as for your other question, ask your brother,” he spits back.

“Yeah, let me just dial up his number now. Oh!” I place my finger on my chin. “That’s right, I can’t because you took everything I own the moment I left the party with you.”

“You’re the one who came willingly, Danica, or have you forgotten? Up until this point, everything you’ve done has been willingly.”

“Willingly? Is that what you call putting a gun in my pussy?”

He scoffs. “You didn’t seem to mind it last night. Don’t be angry at me because you can’t get your own emotions in check. The moment you give in, things will get a lot easier.”

“Is that what this is about, me giving in? To what exactly?”

“You’re a smart woman. You’ll figure it out. Now, go take a shower and get his smell off you” is the last thing he says before exiting the room and leaving me to try and decode his cryptic words.

CHAPTER SEVEN

DANICA

ONE WEEK.

It’s been exactly one week since Adrian has even spoken to me. I’m sure the thing with the guard, or whoever the fuck he was, really put a damper in my plan—a plan I didn’t and don’t even have. It’s like the moment I think I have him figured out, he does a complete one-eighty. I clearly don’t know what I’m doing or how to make this shit work, but that won’t stop me from trying.

The one and only thing I do know for sure is he’s jealous. Why else would he have killed that guy for fucking me? I know he was trying to prove some sort of point, but it has to be more than that. That’s what I’m telling myself anyway to keep from going crazy, and I can work with jealousy.Maybe. It’s hard to try and conjure up a plan when I’ve been locked in this room and only allowed out for meals, but something’s got to give. He can’t keep me here forever—people would start asking questions.

I mean really, I’m not the closest with my dad. He probably hasn’t even noticed my absence, but Dario… I’m sure Dario has and is figuring out a way to fix this. At least I hope so.

I try not to think about him too much and worry myself with the unknown, but something in my gut keeps telling me something is off. He knew things he wasn’t saying when he gave me this dare, and hearing Adrian almost admit that Dario knows something I don’t only solidifies my thoughts that he’s involved, and not in a good way.

But all that does is make me circle back. If my brother is somehow my enemy, why would Adrian use his life as a threat? At this point, nothing makes sense, and I’m not even sure the sky is blue.

As I stare out the window, the lock on my door clicks before being pushed open. I’m not expecting anyone on the other side. It became very apparent the locks are computerized, so the thought of begging someone for help disappeared quickly. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are the same time every day, and right now, it’s time for lunch. Standing from my spot by the window, I make my way to the hall, then down the stairs.

Walking into the dining room, I find Adrian in the same spot he is every day—at the head of the table—and an even larger man sitting to his left. He’s slim, with gray hair, a full beard to match, gold rings on every finger, and the same walnut-colored eyes as Adrian.

“Danica,” Adrian starts, raising his hand to wave me into the room. “Come eat and meet my father.”

I make sure to keep my jaw off the ground as I look down at myself. Since Adrian has taken to ignoring me for an entire seven days, I thought dressing a little slutty would get his attention, and since he decided to stock the closet in my room full of lingerie, why wouldn’t I utilize it? Clearly, fishnets, a corset top, and thong were not how I intended to meet Bruce Youngblood, but alas, here I am.

“Um.” I point my thumb over my shoulder. “I’m going to go change first.”

Adrian stands from the table and stalks toward me, grabbing me by the elbow before I can flee. “Why, love? I’m sure my pops loves what you have on now.” He smiles, his lips pulling up into that sexy smirk he always wears before humiliating me or killing someone.

Yanking my arm from his hold, I shoot him a look full of venom before walking to the table and taking the chair across from his dad. “Danica Smith?” Bruce asks.

I nod with a fake smile as I try to cover my chest with my arms.

He returns my smile. “Dario is your brother?”

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