Page 42 of Maximum Dare
Shit.
Feeling an attack of vertigo coming on, I spun around so I wouldn’t have to look.
Snapping my gaze back to Daisy, I realized she’d seen me. She stared at me with an inquisitive expression and surprise in her eyes.
Straightening my back, I tried not to look fazed, as though being this high up wasn’t an issue—as though this latest dare wasn’t anything to be worried about.
I glared at Ted as he strolled by me.
“Oh, look, it’s the hot Brazilian.” He was obviously peeved I was here, which proved that he planned to hit on Daisy at some point.
“I’m checking on Daisy.” I made it sound matter-of-fact, like if he wanted to get to her he had to go through me first.
“You’re her ex-boyfriend’s brother, right?”
“I’m her friend.”
“Want to join her?”
“That’s not why I’m here.”
“Scared?”
“Hardly. I’ve faced riskier situations.”
“Great, we’ll get you set up.” Ted called over to Daisy. “Yourfriendwants to join you. You okay with that?”
Daisy beamed with happiness. “I’d love it!”
I turned my head to stare at the security rail. “Is that even safe?” I asked in a low voice only Ted could hear.
“We’ve had the fire department give us their stamp of approval. Shall I tell Daisy you’re reluctant to join her?”
My jaw flexed at his arrogance. “Are you going over?”
“Already have. I never ask members to do anything I’m not up for.” Ted slanted a sly eye at me.
Within minutes, I’d signed a waiver I would usually spend a great deal more time examining. Then I slipped on a red jumpsuit, relieved that no one could hear my inside voice screaming like a little girl.
Questioning my life choices, I soon found myself strapped to a wire connected to a harness secured around my torso. In my muddled mind, I couldn’t figure out if I was trying to impress Daisy or not lose face in front of Ted and his staff. Both, I suppose.
Those emails waiting for me on my laptop back in that cozy hotel room now seemed particularly inviting. That unfinished beer was calling my name.
Thiswas the most ludicrous idea I’d ever agreed to in my life.
If I went ahead with this, I’d be suspended over a thousand feet in the air and facing off with death. I only had myself to blame.
Even more alarming was the way Daisy stood on the edge, staring at me as though I was her hero.
I couldn’t let her down.
I let out a shaky breath, pretending this was business as usual, and took my place beside Daisy. She flashed me a questioning look.
“Not staying in this hotel, too, are you?” she asked cheekily.
“No. Couldn’t let you haveallthe fun.”
She broke into a grin and her eyes lit up. For a split second I almost forgot I was about to flirt with death.
