If You Dare (Dare 3)

Another silence falls between us before he presses the button on the remote to turn up the volume. Ross’s laughter rises to the point it hurts my ears.

“Seth, what are you …?”

He turns to face me. Brown eyes full of regret. I push myself farther into the couch.

“Demi, I’m sorry.” I barely hear him whisper over the blaring TV.

“For what?” I look around the empty cabin. It sits on three acres, backed up to the lake with a small dock, there’s not another close by. You would only turn a TV up if you didn’t want someone to hear what you are about to do. “What’s going on?” He doesn’t answer. Instead, he places the remote back down on the coffee table.

I stand on shaky legs, picking up my bag. “I’m gonna go.” And begin to walk toward the door.

But he jumps to his feet and walks up behind me. He grabs my arm, spinning me around, and slams my back into the front door. “Demi.” He sighs my name, staring down at me.

“Stop, Seth.” I try to shove him away, but he doesn’t budge.

He pushes his body into mine instead, holding me captive against the door. Seth has played football all his life and got a scholarship to the University of Texas for his ball skills. He’s not a little guy by any means.

“Seth,” I snap. “Stop.”

His brown eyes narrow on mine. “I would if I could.”

“What the fuck …?” He grips my hair, cutting off my words, and yanks me from the door before slamming me face-first onto the hardwood floor.

BECKY

I drive down the gravel road with my windshield wipers on. I hate Collins, Oregon. It’s always cloudy and rainy, and I prefer sunny days and warm weather. I need to move to a beach where I can sunbathe all year round. Taking a deep breath, I get out of my father’s car and enter the clubhouse. I’m here to see Bennett.

“Hello?” I call out, the sound bouncing off the walls and high ceilings. Looking at the table that sits to my right, I smile when a black duffle bag catches my eyes. I remember all the things the GWS always keep on them from Austin’s journal.

“What are you doing here?” I watch a man step out of the bathroom at the top of the stairs. He stands there, drying off his hands with a white towel before he begins to descend the stairs.

I roll my eyes. “Cut the shit, Shane. Is Bennett here?” I need to talk to that fucker. He’s been ignoring my texts and calls. He doesn’t want to piss me off.

He shakes his head. “Just you and me.”

“Well, I’m not staying.” I turn to leave.

“Why are you here?” he presses.

“None of your business,” I call out.

“How’s your sister?” he asks.

I stop and turn back to face him as he hits the bottom step. “Taken care of.”

“Doubtful.”

“Why do you care?” That bitch will die after what she did to me. I haven’t decided what I’m going to do with Deke just yet, but Demi will suffer before I end her miserable life.

“I tried to get them to kill her.” He shrugs. “But he wanted to protect her for some fucking reason. They all did. From me. Ever since Kellan shot Austin …” He waves a careless hand in the air. “No one trusts me anymore.”

“No one should trust a shark,” I snap.

He laughs. “Deke will fall in love with Demi, you know. If he hasn’t already.”

“He’s supposed to love me.” I feel like if I say it enough, it will happen.

His lips curl up slightly, and he rubs his chin while looking me up and down. “No one can love a slut, Becky.”

I slap him across the face.

He slaps me back and growls. “Don’t confuse me with Deke.”

I want to laugh it off, but tears fill my eyes at the sting that lingers. “Austin hits harder than you.”

He chuckles. “Any girl Cole falls in love with would have to be strong.” He leans in close to my face. “A lesser woman would be dead by now. He would have torn her apart. She was made for it.”

“Whatever.” I roll my eyes, holding my hand over my throbbing cheek. “Fuck her.” I’ve now put her in the same category as my sister. They’ll both get what they deserve.

“Would you be saying that if she knew everything you’ve done?”

My heart begins to pound in my chest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“No need to play dumb, Becky. It looks ugly on you,” he whispers. “You know …” His hand comes up, and he runs his knuckles over my sensitive cheek. “Kellan and I were the closest. He told me everything.”

My breathing picks up. Fucking Kellan, I knew he’d fuck me over. That’s what these guys do. Their loyalty is only to one another, and even that weakened over the years as they grew older. “They’ll never believe you.” I decide on.