Page 12 of If You Dare

Acquitted. The word swirls in my mind like a raging storm. The same way that bogus judge’s verdict did.Not guilty.

How? How is that fucking possible?

“Shekilledsomebody.” I can’t keep the edge of fury out of my voice now. “Isn’t that enough?”

How can they just let her keep walking around and going on with her life like she didn’t do anything wrong? Where the hell are the consequences? My sister is in theground. And no one’s doing a damn thing about it.

Dean Forrester leans back with a sigh. “I understand this is a difficult time for you and your family—”

“Youunderstand?” I snort. The words are flying out of my mouth now, and fuck it. I’ve never been good at playing nice guy. “No, you don’t understand at all. If you did, that bitch wouldn’t be on this campus right now.”

Dean Forrester’s face pinches. His patience with me is thinning. “I’m sorry we’re unable to do more for you at this time, Mr. Novak. What I can suggest is avoiding Miss Harris as much as possible. From what I understand, she’s a sophomore and an English major. As a finance major, you shouldn’t have any issues with running into her on campus or in any of your classes. I expect as captain of the hockey team, you’ll be especially busy this year.”

If it were as simple as avoiding and ignoring her, I wouldn’t be here right now. But the reality is, I can’t get my mind off her. My thoughts always drift to my sister, and when I think of Chloe, I think of Violet. I fucking hate that my memories of my sister are now tainted with the image of her killer.

The injustice makes my blood boil. And no one else seems to give a shit. Not my parents, not the administration, and certainly not that fucking idiot judge. No one wants to do what needs to be done.

So I guess that leaves me.

Maybe there’s a reason she’s here. Even if she transferred, even if she moved to another state, I still wouldn’t be able to get her out of my head. I’d still be out for blood, no matter where she was, so maybe it’s actually better she’s stuck here with me.

I stand and hold out my hand to the dean. “Thank you for your time, sir.”

His brows lift as he shakes my hand and stands to walk me out, but I’m already through the door.

I will be judge, jury, and executioner.

I’ll get the justice my sister deserves.

Chapter8

After

Violet

As soon asmy shift is over, I beeline for my dorm room and toss clothes at random into my suitcase.

Aneesa, who is at her desk video chatting with a couple of friends, tells them she has to go and closes her laptop. She rushes to my side, still in her grass-stained soccer uniform. “What’s going on?”

“I’m leaving.” Mom will understand when I explain the situation. She may be disappointed in me right now, but she won’t want to see me tortured by the vengeful brother of my dead best friend.

“What, why? Did I do something?” Aneesa’s eyes are round. I almost feel bad for her, but I’m too preoccupied with being terrified for myself.

“No, it has nothing to do with you.” My hands tremble when I yank a pair of shorts from my dresser.

“So why are you leaving?”

“Because no one wants me here.” Tears prick my eyes. One day, and being back on this campus has already been absolute hell. I can’t believe I ever thought there was a chance I might survive this day, let alone this year.

Aneesa rushes to my side and grabs my hand. “I want you here.”

I brush away the tears. “Thank you, but there are some very dangerous people who don’t.”

She frowns. “Like who?”

I shake off her hand and return to packing my bag. “Like the brother of my dead best friend.”

Since he confronted me in the library, I haven’t been able to get his face out of my head. The snarl to his lips, the fury in his eyes that seared through me. He said he would kill me.

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