Dare Series Collection - Shantel Tessier Page 0,7

my body up to her chest and sit down on her. “Check her pockets,” I order Deke.

She screams out as she tries to fight me. Her hips buck, and she kicks her legs out, but Deke pulls a cell out of her back pocket. “It’s locked.”

“What’s the passcode?” I demand.

She clamps her mouth shut, and her eyes narrow. I like the fight in her. Most women would already be sobbing. I lean down and give her a threatening smile even though she still can’t see me. Lowering my voice, I say, “Either you give me the passcode, or I take it from you. What’s it gonna be, sweetheart?” A part of me wants her to make me take it. I love it when someone forces my hand—making the decision for me.

“I didn’t …”

“That’s not the only thing we’re gonna take,” Deke says, cutting her off, and then I hear him undoing her pants behind me.

“No!” she cries out. Her hands fisting as I hold them down above her head. “It’s retina … it’s a retina scanner,” she says in a rush.

“Fucking technology,” he growls. “What happened to the good ole days where you just flipped the phone open, and it fucking worked?”

He holds it up to her, my flashlight lies on the ground next to us, shining on her face. It must open because he pulls it back and starts to go through it. He grunts.

“What is it?” I ask.

“No videos or pictures. But there is something interesting.”

“I tried to tell you. I didn’t record it,” she says, panting. My weight on her chest makes it hard for her to breathe.

“What did you find?” I ask, ignoring her.

There’s a long pause before he finally says, “Austin Lowes.”

My brows shoot up. “As in Bruce Lowes?”

Silence.

I chuckle. “Well, well, well, I didn’t know he had a daughter.” She looks around our age. Seventeen, eighteen at the oldest.

She clamps her mouth shut. Interesting. She doesn’t want to acknowledge the bastard either. Good for her. He’s a sorry piece of shit.

“We don’t have time for this,” Deke growls, his patience wearing thin since he isn’t going to get to play with her. He stands and pulls out the gun tucked in the back of his jeans. “Let’s just kill her.”

She narrows her eyes up at the darkness. My eyes trace the blood on her wrists, neck, and chest. She’s too beautiful to kill. Too precious to destroy. Yet. He’s afraid she’ll talk, go to the police, but I’m not. She fears us. Thinks we’ll hurt her. She’s not wrong.

“Put the gun away,” I order.

“But …”

“Now.”

He tucks it back into his pants. “Let’s take her with us. I don’t trust her not to call the police afterward.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she snaps.

I almost smile at her bravery. “You’ll do whatever the fuck we say,” Deke replies flatly.

“She won’t call them,” I tell him. Placing both of her wrists in one of my hands, I run my free hand down the side of her face, smearing more of her flawless skin with blood. “Will you?”

She clamps her mouth shut.

He snorts. “You don’t fucking know that.”

“No one will believe her.” I lick my lips. “She’s covered in his blood. It’s underneath her fingernails from where she scratched my chest. It’s on her clothes. In her hair. As far as they’re concerned, she will be an accessory to murder.”

“You fucking bastard …”

I get a thought. “What did you guys do with the body?”

“Kellan got a call and had to leave; he rode with Bennett, so they all left. I told them we would take care of it.”

“Perfect. Call my phone with hers.”

“What? Cole, we don’t have time …”

“Call my phone with hers, Deke,” I snap.

He lets out a huff, but then moments later, I hear mine ringing in my pocket. They remain quiet, probably wondering what the fuck I’m thinking, but they’ll find out soon.

I stand up off of her, and she tries to scramble away, but I grip her hoodie and yank her to her feet. Wrapping my hand around the back of her neck, I start shoving her forward. She twists in my grip, and my hand slips, allowing her to get a few steps ahead of me. I run after her and fist her hair, pulling her against me. She whimpers. With my free hand, I grip her hip and press my front into her back. Her soaked clothes feel cool on my warm skin. Leaning my head down, I whisper in her