Page 101 of Jump or Fall
Chuckling, he said, “Karena may have the pedigree, but you have the brains.” His thumb traced slow circles on her back. “She won’t be bothering you anymore.”
***
“You must be proud of yourself.”
Mara bristled at the shrill words, but barely glanced up from her coffee. She’d spent the night in Dawson’s bed.
“You’re going to come for me tonight, doll.”
He knew she zoned out when he touched her, so last night he’d done things differently—he hadn’t just taken what he wanted. Any time she tried to slip out of her skin, he’d pull her right back into the moment. A sick part of her wanted to rub it in Karena’s face, tell her every little detail.
Was this how women like her were made? Hating each other so much they ran straight into the arms of their tormentor?
No. She would never feel the way Karena did about Dawson. It didn’t matter if he could make her body betray her.
Mara took another sip, ignoring the furious lunatic glaring at her.
“I’m talking to you!”
Karena seized her arm and spun her around. Mara reacted on instinct, jerking back and slapping her hard across the face. Her palm stung, but the look of complete shock was worth it.
Karena gaped, hand flying to her reddening cheek. “You can’t touch me, you stupid whore!”
She lunged, slamming Mara into the counter. Trapped with nowhere to go, Mara struggled to break free.
A flash of metal caught her eye.
Karena hadn’t noticed the knife yet.
Mara drove her knee up into her stomach, making her double over. Karena let out a pained wheeze and loosened her grip just enough for Mara to break free.
Unable to reach the knife, she grabbed a pan from the drying rack.
Karena regained her footing—and saw it lying there.
Shit.
Smirking, Karena snatched it up and turned the blade over in her hand.
“Since Dawson won’t do it, maybe I’ll carve up that face of yours.” She took a step forward, slashing at the air. “Maybe I’ll even keep one of those freak eyes.”
Mara swatted at her with the pan while backing away.
Karena ran toward her. Mara swung, but missed, ducking away to avoid the knife. She bolted through the kitchen.
Adrenaline surged through her veins. All this time she’d feared Dawson’s claws, and now she was going to be cut to pieces byher.
“Why can’t you just die!” Karena shrieked.
Mara scrambled through the house, lungs burning.
Get to the stairs. Hide in your room.
But that would slow her down. She couldn’t risk it.
She turned the corner and ran straight into Max, toppling him over.
Before she could even blink, Karena was on her, the blade sinking into her shoulder.
