Page 125 of I Dare You
Thisis the guy who ruined my life.
A laugh bubbles up.
Kit slips his fingers through mine, offering support.But now that I can finally put a face to the name, I know I’ve got this.Jack Bloom is an insignificant speck in my world, and I’ll take great pleasure in destroying him.
I push the vodka away and stand.I don’t need it.
Kit nods as we’ve gone over the plan.
It’s simple.
When I go to the bar, I behave in a shy and unassuming way, knowing Jack will likely offer to buy me a drink.Jack’s need for power and control drives his vile actions toward women.
So I’ll let him think he’s won and then strike.
Thanks to Jupiter’s guidance, I know how to seduce a man in a situation like this.With Kit, however, it was different as it’s real.But this isn’t.This is me playing a part.This is me getting what I want, and what I want is to hear Jack scream.
Just how he made me.
Knowing Kit is watching, ready to protect me if I need, fuels my fire.
I feel the eyes of men closely examining me.It’s as if I’m at an auction, parading my wares.There’s only one goal here, and I don’t intend to fail.
The moment I make my way to the bar, Jack and his friends make it obvious they like what they see.I shyly brush away a strand of hair that has slipped free behind my ear.
“What are you drinking, sweetheart?”asks one of Jack’s friends, who’s wearing way too much cologne.
“I’m not sure,” I reply as I pretend to peruse the cocktail menu.
“You look like a sweet kinda girl.Or maybe you’re looking for something a little spicy?”
I barely contain my laughter because who the hell speaks this way?Is this supposed to be sexy?Or perhaps this is his pickup line.Whatever it is, I want to gouge out his eyeballs and use them in a martini.
“Oh, Harrison, quit it,” says a voice that, although deeper than I remember, sends shivers down my spine, and that’s because that voice belongs to Jack.
Gone is the lisp I remember, and in its place is the tone of a man who reeks of arrogance and control.
Jack and I lock eyes, and it’s clear there’s no recollection of who I am.Not that he even knows what I look like, since he never saw my face that night.The fact makes me even more determined to destroy this asshole.
Harrison snickers and gets up, walking away.
“Sorry about my friend,” Jack says sweetly.
And now, I get it.
Each man in this circle of friends plays a role.One is the slimeball, while the other is the nice guy, apologizing for this friend’s crude behavior to reveal what a nice guyheis.When they’re all predators.They work in a pack.Nothing but animals.
But Jack is the worst of them all.
Was Jack’s nature innate or learned?Either way, I’m doing the world a favor by putting him down like the rabid dog that he is.
I immediately focus on Jack, letting him see I’m interested before shyly glancing away.I pause to collect myself.Memories of him raping me are so vivid, I can taste my tears and vomit as I struggle to breathe.
He’s winning.Again.
But not this time.
I take a soft, deep breath and slip into the skin of someone other than me.
