Page 48 of Dare
Aydalaughs aloud as I shake my head. “You’re the third person to ask that.”
Lisaturns to talk to someone on her other side, and I slide my arm around Ayda’sshoulder, settling back in my seat. “So, who else asked?”
Sherolls her eyes. “Like I need to make your head any bigger.”
“Itonly gets big for you, babe.”
Theaudience quiets as the first dancer takes her place on stage. I came today forAyda, as a show of support, and I really didn’t expect to enjoy the experience.But these kids are amazing. It’s not all boring ballet numbers set to classicalmusic like I expected. There are teams doing hip hop and routines that tell astory, which Ayda tells me is called Lyrical.
Theboy Ayda has been teaching finally takes the stage, and she grabs my hand,crushing it in hers. She is surprisingly strong for such a little thing. Idon’t think she takes a breath through his entire routine. Her eyes are brightand excited, and she murmurs to herself. In her mind, she’s up there with himthrough every step, jump, and turn, living it with him, as invested in hissuccess as his parents.
Thepassion and love she feels for dance glows on her face, and I can almost feelher yearning to be the one gliding across that stage. I wish I could’ve seenher then. Her hand relaxes a little in mine when his performance is over, buttightens again as they announce the winners.
“Yes!”She cries, turning to hug Lisa, and then me when he wins in his division.
Aydagrabs my hand and I accompany them backstage where she wraps Ryan in a bearhug. “I knew you could do it!”
Hisface is flushed with joy as his dad follows suit, hugging and congratulatinghim. Ayda is in her element here, laughing and talking with the dancers and parentsbackstage, happier than I have ever seen her.
Hereyes suddenly darken and she takes my hand. “I’m ready to go, okay?” She pullsme toward the exit.
“Hey.”She pauses reluctantly when I stop. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,”she mumbles, glancing behind me. “I just want to get out of here.”
“Ourcoats are in the dressing room. I’ll grab them.”
“I’llbe at the stage door.” Releasing my hand, she rushes off. What the hell wasthat? Ayda can be a bit eccentric sometimes, it’s part of her charm, butsomething obviously freaked her out. It’s not until I grab our coats and makemy way toward the door that I understand. Victoria Towne stands backstage,watching the dancers who are still competing.
Thisis the woman who stole Ayda’s chance to be a professional dancer. The bitch whogot her boyfriend to throw acid in her face and got away with it. Fear streaksthrough me. If she’s here, Talbot may be as well. As much as I want to confrontthe woman, Ayda’s safety is my first priority, and my heart jumps when I seeshe isn’t waiting at the stage door.
Iopen the door and red blankets my vision. Talbot stands across from Ayda,wearing a hateful grin. She backs away from him, her face as white as the snowon the ground, her hands rubbing her bare arms for warmth. “Get away from me!”
“LikeI want to touch you,” he sneers. “God, I really fucked you up, didn’t I? Noteven a mother could love that face.”
Herwince makes him smile. He has no idea how close to the bone that hit. There’sno one else in the alley to see what I’m about to do, but I wouldn’t care ifthere was. The fear in her eyes tears a strip from my heart and I’m going tomake sure she never has to be afraid again.
“Dare!No!” she calls as I slam my fist into his jaw, but I barely hear her. My earsare filled with the sound of rushing blood, and his jeering voice gloating overwhat he did to her. I don’t feel the cold or the one punch he manages to landbefore I get him to the ground and start pounding his face. I’m not trying to killhim, but I won’t be satisfied until his face bears scars as well as hers. SinceI don’t have any acid handy, I do the best I can with my fists.
Hegives up trying to hit me and instead uses his hands to block his face,attempting to roll over, but he isn’t getting me off of him. Straddling hischest, I throw punch after punch, breaking his jaw and sending teeth skitteringacross the pavement. This isn’t like when I beat up my uncle. I’m not blindwith rage, and I can aim my punches where they’ll do the worst damage.
“Ohmy God!” a female voice screams. “He’s killing him! Call the police!”
Afew seconds later, sirens ring out from a distance and Ayda’s pleading reachesmy ears. “The cops are coming, Dare! Please!”
Finally,I get to my feet, leaving the now unconscious Talbot bleeding on the pavement,his face resembling ground beef. Victoria must have been the one who screamedabout police. She’s standing outside the stage door in a leotard and skirt,tears pouring down her face. She flinches as I regard her. “Say one fuckingword to Ayda or come near her again and your face will match his.”
Theonly other person present is Lisa, who urges me to run, but I know better. Ibeat a guy half to death…again. I don’t need evading tacked on to the chargesI’m sure to face. “Make sure Ayda gets home okay.”
Lisanods, and Ayda throws her arms around me. “I’m sorry, darlin’, but I had to.”
“H-howdid you know it was him?” she stammers.
Shit.There’s no quick answer for that since I haven’t told her I’ve been cyber-stalkingher attackers. “I’ll explain later. I need you to call Landon and tell him whathappened.” I hand her my phone and car keys. “The password is Ayda. Now, stayback,” I order as the first cop arrives on the scene. “Everything will be allright.”
Ihope she can’t hear the lie in my voice.
ChapterTwelve
