Page 56 of Dare
No!What if Talbot is watching? He said if I stayed away, he wouldn’t show up incourt, the case would get dismissed, and Dare would be okay. They’re about tofuck everything up.
Justusignores my pleas and threats and carries me into Dare’s apartment. He holds myarm a moment to steady me once I’m placed back on my feet, face to face withDare. Dare gives him a terse nod, and he sighs. “I know when I’m not wanted.”
Thefront door closes behind him, leaving me alone with a seriously pissed off man.His gaze singes my skin as it travels from my feet to my face, settling on myeyes. I have a million things I want to say, but I can’t seem to get my mouthto work. “Ayda,” he murmurs, then I’m in his arms, being kissed within an inchof my sanity.
Iknow I should leave, I should run far and fast for his own good, but my bodydoesn’t give a shit about what I think. It softens and molds to him, revelingin every stolen kiss and caress. “Fuck, I missed you,” Dare says, pulling metighter to him.
“Imissed you, too.” My fingers run through his hair. “But I can’t be here.”
Hisforehead touches mine and his breath wafts across my face. “I love you, Ayda.Stop running from me.”
Myheart swells until it shatters. He finally said the words I wanted to hear sobadly, but it doesn’t matter, we still can’t be together. “I love you, too,but…”
“No.No buts.” He leads me to the couch and pulls me down with him. “Just tell methe truth. What happened? I know Talbot or his father is behind this. I’mtrying to handle things, but I can’t fix it if I don’t know what’s going on.”
“Justwait until after your trial,” I plead. “It’s only a few weeks away. Then maybewe can see each other again. I have to go.”
“Ayda,damn it!” He grabs my arm as I try to rise. “Tell me! I’m going out of my mindhere.”
I’mexhausted, mentally and physically from the constant stress. Watching behind meevery minute, wondering if he’s there. If he is, it’s probably already toolate. As if it heard my worst fears, my cell dings with a text message.
-Haveit your way, bitch. He’s never getting out. And your day is coming.-
Daregrabs it and his face hardens, his cheeks going a deep scarlet. “He’sthreatening you?” The anger in his voice scares me. “Which one is it? Thesenator?”
Ican’t keep anything from him anymore. There’s no point. Tears overflow as Ireply, “First, promise no matter what I tell you, you won’t leave thisapartment. I’ve screwed up your life enough. Don’t get sent to jail forbreaking your house arrest.”
Iwatch as he fights to control his anger, swallowing it down. His voice issofter when he speaks again. “I won’t leave.” His hands grip my arms, making meface him. “Tell me.”
“Talbot.He said if I stayed away from you, he wouldn’t show up in court and the casewould get dismissed. You wouldn’t go back to prison. And if I didn’t, he’d gethis father to make sure you got the maximum sentence.”
Ibury my face in his chest. “I didn’t want to leave you. I love you. I wanted toprotect you, but I couldn’t, and now, now he’s going to—.”
“Shh,”Dare pulls me into his lap. “He isn’t going to do anything, Ayda. I told you.I’ve got this handled. You should’ve just come to me.”
“Idon’t want to lose you again.”
Hisbig palm is warm on the back of my head as he strokes my hair. “You won’t loseme. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
“He’swatching me.”
Dare’sentire body stiffens beneath me. “He said he’d be watching me. And just now, heknew I was with you.”
“Fuck.I’m taking care of this right now.” I’m afraid he’s going to break his promiseand go barging out the door to look for Talbot, but he grabs his phone anddials. “Mason? Yeah, I’ve got a problem. No, I didn’t leave the apartment! It’sTalbot, he’s stalking Ayda. Yeah, around the clock. She’ll be staying with me,so you can post him outside. Got it, thanks, man.”
“Masonhas a security staff. Someone will be with you at all times until this isover.” He pins me with a solemn gaze. “All times, Ayda. If you go to the danceschool, the grocery store, wherever, he goes with you, understand?”
Exhausted,I nod, and curl up beside him.
“Everythingwill be okay, darlin’. You just have to trust me.”
* * * *
Ifeel like a child being escorted around by a bodyguard, but it can’t be helped.I’m always accompanied by either Alex, who it turns out is Mason’s brother, orDevon, one of his security staff. One of them is always outside Dare’sapartment when I’m there, and they drive me to work at the dance studio, makingsure no one unfamiliar approaches me.
Daretries to convince me to take a break from teaching until this whole thing isover, but I refuse. I’ve just started teaching and I don’t want to let Lisadown, plus I’d go crazy being trapped at home all the time, watching Dare climbthe walls.
Alexwalks me into the studio, then takes a seat in the lobby while I teach. I havea new girl starting today, a seven year old with autism, and her mother bringsher a bit early so we can make her feel comfortable in the new surroundings.“Hi, you must be Ms. Light,” I say, walking to meet them. “I’m Ayda.”
