Page 55 of Dare
Sadiesuppresses a grin. “Maybe I was wrong about you.”
“Wereyou wrong about me?” Justus asks, sidling up beside her with a smile.
“Neverreally gave you any thought.” She dismisses him, which just eggs him on.
“Youdon’t have to think about me, sweets. The fantasy could never be as good as thereal thing. I’d be happy to come by tonight.”
“Don’tcall me sweets. And I don’t want stripper glitter all over my house, so I’llpass.”
Asnort of laughter comes from Jeremy, and Justus steps back, feigning offense.“I don’t wear glitter!” A smile stretches across his face. “Unless you’re intothat. I could pull it off. My buddy has a unicorn costume women seem to like.Sparkly unicorn turn you on? My horn is huge.”
Sadieturns to me. “Is he serious?”
Ishrug. “We’re never sure.”
“I’llgive Ayda your message.” She hesitates. “I’m worried about her. I know you’refacing charges, but, do whatever you have to do to keep her safe. She’s hadmore than enough pain in her life.”
“I’mon it,” I swear, walking her to the door.
“Thatchick wants me so bad,” Justus claims after she leaves.
Jeremyleans back and cracks his knuckles. “Yeah, I could tell by the way she wascompletely repulsed by you.”
“Youjust don’t know women. She’s playing hard to get.”
“Idon’t think she’s playing.”
“Eitherway.” He shrugs, and sits back down with his computer. A few seconds later, heshouts, “Got him! Dare! We got that motherfucker. Look at this.”
“Thequarter mil payment went to a Judge Powers. There was also a deposit sent toSarah Noort. She’s a court clerk in charge of assigning cases. I’d bet my leftball he paid her to make sure your assault case lands in Powers court, thenbribed Powers to throw the book at you.”
I’mon the phone with Mason in a matter of seconds. “We need to meet with thelawyer. I have evidence that I’m being set up.”
“Itbetter be good, because the prosecutor just upped the charges to aggravatedassault with a deadly weapon.”
“Ididn’t have a weapon,” I growl, gritting my teeth.
“Thenwe need to look into the prosecutor too.”
ChapterFourteen
Ayda
It’sbeen almost a week without Dare, and every day has been longer than the last. Idrag myself out of bed, work on whatever project needs done that day, usually abook cover or two, then head to the studio. Lisa offered me a full timeposition teaching her beginner class. After thinking about it for a couple ofdays, I accepted.
Ineed something to keep my mind occupied, and the only time I don’t feel likesomeone is slowly turning me inside out is when I’m lost in the beauty ofdance. Watching a class full of smiling, giggling elementary school kids fallin love with ballet the way I did is the high point of my day. The hours Ispend dancing alone after the last class help me stay centered and keep me frombrooding on what I lost.
Sadiehas been great, but I can’t impose on her anymore. I have to go home. I have toget back to my life. I’ve decided that moving would be the easiest choice.There are plenty of apartments available that don’t share a wall with the man Ilove, but can’t have.
Darehas stopped trying to get in touch with me. I guess after a week of sending hiscalls to voicemail and not answering his texts, he figured out I’m not going tochange my mind. No matter how much I want to.
Aftermy two afternoon classes are over, I pack up my stuff and head home. At least Idon’t have to worry about running into Dare, since he still can’t leave hisapartment. He recently met with the lawyer and prosecutor to reject a pleadeal. He’s going to trial. I know this because Justus and Sadie have beentexting back and forth all week. She says she’s not interested, that she’s justscrewing with him, but that didn’t stop her from showing me the most horriblepicture of him in nothing but a unicorn horn and body paint.
Imake my way to my door as quietly as possible, hoping Dare won’t open his andsee me. It’s going to be hard enough being able to hear him again. Thankfully,my lease is up in less than eight weeks and I can start looking for a newplace. I breathe a sigh of relief when I close my door behind me.
I’mchucking all of the rotten food out of my fridge when I hear my door closeagain. I knew Sadie would follow me. Suddenly, I’m looking at the floor. “Sorryabout this, Tiny Dancer, but Dare will never quit pestering me if I don’t bringyou to him. He’s a bitch like that.”
“Putme down, Justus!” I screech, bobbing over his shoulder as he carries me throughthe apartment and out the front door. “I don’t want to see him! I can’t!”
