Free Dare To Love Series: Dare Me Again (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Cora Seton Page A

living room.
    “Right, so you decide to drive eight hours from Buffalo on a whim because you’re sad and missed me?” Isabelle looks directly into my eyes, concern written across her face. Taking a deep breath I can smell coffee, vanilla and baby. Baby Noah. I’ve been wanting to see him, hold him, squeeze him, but not like this. Not under these circumstances. It’s oddly quiet in here for someone having a baby. “I’m not stupid Deena, what’s really going on? Does it have something to do with the massive bruise on the side of your face?” Isabelle continues frowning at me. Of course she would catch that right away. Why wouldn’t she? Isabelle has known me almost my whole life. She leads me over to her plush white couch. Slipping down to sit on the cozy softness, I wonder how she keeps it so clean with baby Noah around here. Her husband, Gabe Dare, has given her such a better life than she had with her ex. At times I’m jealous.
    “Focus Dee, what’s going on? There’s no reason you would drive here in the middle of the night, show up on my doorstep unannounced early in the morning, if you weren’t in trouble. You know I’m here for you, what can I do to help you? Are you in trouble? I thought you got a restraining order against Michael when you got the divorce? How’d you get knocked around again? Why didn’t you call the police?” Her voice is full of concern, hands wringing in her lap. Iz is normally so composed, so put together that this is unlike her. I must have really messed up to have her fidgeting.
    “Breathe Iz, I can only answer one question at a time!” I can’t contain my cries and begin sobbing again.
    “Shh, it’s going to be ok. Gabe will be home shortly, I just texted him. He’s turning around and coming right back. We won’t let anything happen to you.” She wraps her arms around me and I cry into her shoulder. After a few minutes of trying to calm myself, I lean back into the couch, closing my eyes. I rub my temples, sighing. The front door slams shut, as loud footsteps come towards us, causing me to jump.
    “It’s just Gabe hon,” Iz pats my leg from next to me.
    “Isabelle, what’s going on? What’s the emergency?” A concerned Gabe Dare towers over us and I’m just as intimidated by him as I was when I first met him after they got married. The man exudes power. I hadn’t been able to make it to their wedding. My controlling husband, Michael Dorn, forbid it. I had to wait until they visited Niagara Falls and Iz’s friends and family, just to see her. I open my mouth to explain, but end up stammering. A hiccup escapes my mouth. Iz’s arms wrap back around me, making me feel better immediately, giving me a slight boost in my ability to tell this story.
    Gabe slips into the chair across from us, patiently waiting. Well, not very patiently. This is Gabe Dare we’re talking about. His cold hard stare would normally intimidate anyone he meets, but not me. I don’t intimidate easily anymore. His mouth is set in a grim line. The lips tightly pressed together, his forehead wrinkled as he stares me down. Sighing, I lean forward on my knees. Covering my face with my hands, I try to explain in a way that won’t make me look guiltier than I already am. Who knows, at this point, I could be wanted for murder.
    “When I filed for divorce against Michael, he was in jail for beating me up again. I got an attorney the moment I left the hospital. I thought, maybe having an attorney would keep Michael away from me. Maybe it would keep him in line. I was wrong. My attorney did nothing but bill me for everything and not help very much. Michael was still harassing me, still showing up drunk at all hours, threatening me. I had enough. I got the restraining order based on the marital domestic violence.
    “WHEN I WENT through his office, trying to find our marriage license and other important paperwork, I found some photos and a flash drive. They showed some men standing around bags of