Page 18 of The Sweetest Revenge

Grabbing the keys, I shoved open the door, stormed around the car, and jerked her door open. "Get out, or I will drag you out."

"Why, Zaiden? What are we doing here?" When she didn't budge, I leaned down. "Okay." She quickly unbuckled and slid out of the car. My large hand curled around her thin arm, jerking her out of the way as I slammed the car door closed and shoved her into the side of the car.

"Where did you get that jersey?"

Her brows pulled together as her head dropped. She looked at her shirt like she didn't remember what she was wearing. "Kacie and I traded jerseys at the end of every year since 9th grade." Her gaze lifted, meeting mine. "It was our tradition. She gave it to me."

"Take it off," I growled, stepping into her and pressing my body to hers. I dropped my head so our noses were nearly touching. "You don't deserve to wear her jersey."

"Zaiden," she hissed, placing her small hands on my chest. She shoved me backward, and I let her. I needed some space between her and me to think clearly. "I didn't hurt her. She was in a car accident."

The fact that she couldn't accept her part in my sister's death only made me angrier.

"We were all at that party. I didn't kill her."

My lip curled into a snarl. "Take the fucking jersey off."

The wind picked up, rustling through the trees surrounding the cemetery. Moonlight broke through the clouds, casting Kacie's headstone in silver light.

Ariella's eyes flicked to the grave, then back to me. Something shifted in her expression.

"I loved her too, Zaiden." Her whisper barely disturbed the cemetery air. She touched the jersey over her heart. "She was my best friend."

I advanced until the heat of her body mingled with mine, until I could see the pulse racing in her throat.

"You don't get to say that anymore."

CHAPTER10

ARIELLA

Ireleased a shaky breath as adrenaline coursed through my veins. Zaiden brought me all the way out to Kacie's grave after dark when the cemetery was closed, and I had no idea what his intentions were, but there was no mistaking he was pissed.

I couldn't figure out why he thought I was responsible for Kacie's death. We'd all been at that party. Kacie left the party by herself in her own car. I wouldn't have been able to stop her any more than he could have or Sterling, or Journey, or Mila. For some reason, he needed to blame me.

"Take the fucking jersey off, Ariella." Zaiden's jaw clenched, a muscle twitching beneath the shadow of his stubble.

My throat tightened. Sweat beaded between my shoulder blades, trickling down my spine. I forced my breathing to steady. Whatever he was planning wouldn't end well for me, but panic would only make it worse.

My only chance was running, but I needed a head start.

"Fine." I raised my hands in surrender, watching his eyes for any shift in attention.

My pulse raced, and my heart pounded as I grabbed the hem of the black, white, and red jersey and pulled it over my head. Sucking in a deep breath, I tossed the jersey at his face hoping it would temporarily distract him and bolted, but he was faster than I was. He kicked his foot out, tripping me. Pain shot through me as I tumbled down, slamming into the hard dirt.

"Shit," I muttered, shifting to push up but froze when his boots squeezed my sides.

"You should know I enjoy the fight." The corner of his mouth curved upward, eyes glittering in the darkness. His hand slid against my scalp, fingers tangling in my hair.

I yelped as he jerked my head back.

He knelt, his breath hot against my ear. "I love the chase."

He released my hair with a small shove. I rolled to my back, my heart hammering against my ribs.

"Zaiden." I forced steel into my voice despite the tremor in my hands. My tone was a warning, a weak one, but still a warning.

"Did you really think you were going to hang out with your friends and party while my sister is dead because of you?"

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