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    Dare
    Dare
    Dare
    Ebook219 pages2 hours

    Dare

    By Erin Lee and Sara Schoen

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Dare

    A horrific romantic suspense

    by

    Sara Schoen

    Erin Lee

    The truth is that Amber Colbright has waited her entire life for a guy like Reese Shaw. Fresh out of college and ready to start a new chapter, the couple has big plans for a serious life together. Recently engaged, they are off to a great start with decent jobs and an even better first home. But the real world isn’t so simple.

    In order to play with the big kids you have to get a little dirty. It’s the first life lesson she’s learned since the day Amber received an anonymous message from a cyber stalker with the initials ‘TD’ who claims to have Reese in captivity. Play with me.

    The kidnapper’s demands are simple: No police. No help. No harm.

    “Just a little game of Truth or Dare and you can have your life back.”

    At first, it seems like a joke. But when Reese doesn’t return from a mandatory job training on the coast, everything changes. Caught in a twisted game for the cyber stalker’s amusement, Amber must throw away everything she’s learned about caution. First, comes the private chat room. Next is the live stream video where her fiancé begs her to just “play along.”

    Last, Amber must ultimately decide whether or not to take the final taunt.

    “It’s easy,” TD swears: I dare you. Come find me…

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherCrazy Ink
    Release dateApr 20, 2018
    ISBN9781386202493
    Dare
    Author

    Erin Lee

    Erin Lee lives in Queensland, Australia and has been working with children for over 25 years. She has worked in both long day care and primary school settings and has a passion for inclusive education and helping all children find joy in learning. Erin has three children of her own and says they have helped contribute ideas and themes towards her quirky writing style. Her experience working in the classroom has motivated her to write books that bring joy to little readers, but also resource educators to help teach fundamental skills to children, such as being safe, respectful learners.

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      Book preview

      Dare - Erin Lee

      Erin Lee & Sara Schoen

      Crazy Ink

      COPYRIGHT © 2018 by Erin Lee and Sara Schoen

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission.

      PUBLISHER’S NOTE: THIS is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

      Book Layout © 2016 BookDesignTemplates.com

      DARE/ Erin Lee & Sara Schoen.—1st ed.

      ISBN 978-1978420625

      Dedication

      Truth: You’re more than enough.

      Dare: Show the world all you can be and ignore those who put you down.

      For anyone bold enough to take the dare, strong enough to face and admit the truth, and determined enough to save not only themselves, but the ones they love.

      But he who dares not grasp the thorn should never crave the rose.

      -Ann Bronte

      CHAPTER ONE

      Amber

      MY FINGERS DANCED, causing the new diamond ring on my finger to sparkle in every small speckle of light it caught. I couldn’t be happier. I never imagined I’d find a guy like Reese while in college, and I definitely didn’t think we’d be engaged, moving in together, and starting our lives together in such a high fashion. My parents had rented us their old house, starting us off in a wonderful neighborhood, set up with everything we could need, and saving us a bit of money.

      Reese had taken the money we saved on the house, and about three months’ salary at his amazingly high paying job for a recent graduate, and bought me a three-stone diamond ring. I guess it paid to be a computer science minor for him. He had skills he could sell and even if the job wasn’t exactly what he wanted, he made it work. Just like he always said he would.

      From the day we met freshmen year, he told me he knew I was the one for him. That’s who he was, blunt, forward, and at times a little raw around the edges. It was me who was a little apprehensive at first. He was tall and gangly, had frat boy written all over him, and just seemed to be trying to see if I would take the bait and be his first college fuck. He didn’t get sex, until nine months in, and even after that, he worked his ass off to impress me. He’s persistent. I’ll give him that much. He spent a lot of time texting me, going to lunch on campus with me, going to parties with me, and taking me out on dates. I had fallen for him early on, but I still made him work for it before he got the prize he wanted.

      He joined the school’s swim club and soccer team, cut his shoulder length black hair, gained some muscles and kept his chiseled features, and in no time, the guy my friends made fun of me for dating became lusted over by everyone I knew. To say I wasn’t pleased by that turn around would be a lie. I had been ecstatic, but I kept it to myself. He was happy, and so was I, and that was enough. Even to this day to have someone who’s caring, loving, determined as hell, and really easy on the eyes is a blessing. I felt like I had hit the jackpot. I thought I hit it after three months of dating when he didn’t leave and find someone better, but he stuck with me. I couldn’t be more thankful.

      We had gone through life’s ups and downs together early on: Failing classes, being turned down for internships and jobs, discovering we hated our majors and then changing them, family deaths, and even my stalker who Reese helped me finally ditch. I hadn’t breathed as easily as I had after changing my number, gotten rid of social media, and cleaned out my life in general. I couldn’t have done it without him. Reese is my rock, the love of my life, and soon to be my husband. I smiled at the thought, feeling a warmth spread in my chest and take my breath away. I love that man.

      Hey Amber, Cami chimed, forcing me to look up from my ring and rejoin the outside world. She took the seat across the café table from me and plucked the menu from in front of me with her perfectly manicured nails. I smiled as I shook my head at my college friend. She had an interesting attitude, which typically involved an act first and think later mentality. It challenged my kill them with kindness approach. I had a feeling it stemmed from her being an only child, but she’d never admit it.

      I’m amazed you wanted to meet today. I thought you’d be busy setting up the house for when Reese came back.

      I need a break sometimes too, Cami. Reese will have to help me move some of the heavier stuff, but it will mostly be moved in when he gets back from training.

      I glanced around the small café, seeing the few regulars I recognized from every Saturday before. The metal tables and chairs reminded me of cafés I had visited while studying abroad in Paris, even though we were indoors. Reese said it was similar to what he had seen while abroad in Argentina, but they typically kept cafes inside for the cold winters.

      "Are you sure he’s going to want to come back?"

      She swept her dark brown bangs out of her face, continuing to peruse the menu even though she got the same thing every time we came.

      "I wouldn’t. Who gets the chance to have mandatory training in Hawaii? I don’t think I’d be back for a couple of months, you know, after winter passes," she said.

      I laughed lightly. Reese had just accepted a new job in the biology field, and would be starting in the state park as soon as he got back. He couldn’t be happier right now.

      Reese won’t do that. He wants to come home. He has building projects he wants to try, so he can have his ‘industrial’ furniture look. He doesn’t want me decorating the whole place alone, or he’d hate it. Besides, it’s too hot for him in Hawaii, and we have a wedding to plan. He wanted a short engagement, so he’s got to help me. I wouldn’t have minded being engaged for two years and having time to plan it on my own.

      I don’t know why he wanted it to be so short. I’d say the longer the better. Now you have to rush through it all. It’s supposed to be fun, not stressful.

      Cami called over the waitress and ordered her usual low fat Frappuccino with some brown sugar and extra whip on top, while I got a hot chocolate, which I would drink whether it was winter or not.

      What we really should be talking about is your bachelorette party, Cami said. "

      Don’t worry about that yet, Cami. I still have a lot to plan.

      Truth is, I didn’t want her to plan it. Knowing her, there would be strippers, booze, and mischief. It sounded like a good time until we ended up in the drunk tank like in college. I wanted a relaxing weekend at the beach or a casual night out, not a hangover that would lead into the next week.

      That’s the fun part to plan, but sure I’ll wait. Until then, tell me what’s been going on.

      I shrugged. Not a lot is different than last week. I spent all week between work and setting up the house. What about yourself? The waitress came by with our drinks and set them on the table along with Café Locos special biscuits with strawberry sauce.

      Well, I met a guy... She gave me a playful smirk that piqued my interest.

      Cami had dated one guy all through college, only to realize that she was the side chick. She had been devastated. She hadn’t known he was dating anyone when he asked her out, and it didn’t help that they had been together for three years when he told her. Turns out he was going to propose to his girlfriend of six years and he needed to start off the next chapter with a clear conscience.

      My eyebrows rose slightly and I set down my hot chocolate. Oh, yeah? How did you meet him?

      "Well, I haven’t met him yet, but we found each other online. I’m doing that Match.com thing. He’s really cute, and we have a date next week, so I can update you on our next coffee date."

      I suppressed a groan. She knew I hated online dating things. Tinder had caused more trouble in my roommate’s life than she’d care to admit, and that had been a big thing over our college campus. It didn’t seem right to find someone online; you never knew who they were, but maybe it would have been different if Reese and I hadn’t connected right away.

      Cami, I love you, but are you sure this is the best idea? You’re going to meet some stranger who you’ve only talked to online.

      Everything in me screamed this was a bad idea. Maybe it was the criminal justice minor I picked up, or the television shows and movies that warned about this exact situation, either way, I wouldn’t go on an online date.

      This time, she shrugged. I figure what can it hurt? I haven’t dated anyone since Josh. I need to get back in the game. I can’t mope around forever. I look too good for that.

      She flashed a bright smile as her hand brushed along her heart shaped face. I didn’t argue she wasn’t pretty; I thought she was gorgeous. She had a mixed dark complexion from her parents, bright brown eyes, and a contagious smile, but her self-confidence had held her back ever since Josh.

      "Can’t you just wish me ‘good luck?’ Not everyone can be like you and Reese. Some of us can’t meet people the traditional way, we have to try something else."

      I didn’t say anything about it. I am just asking you to be cautious. You never know who these people are online, but when you’re honest, you give them everything. I just want you to be safe.

      I leaned across the table and placed my hand on hers. I thought she’d pull away, annoyed I didn’t jump up and down to congratulate her about the new guy, but she placed her other hand on mine and smiled. Her hand was warm from holding her coffee.

      Thank you for watching out for me, but I think it will be fine. Now that we are out of college, I think people are looking for actual relationships, not just fuck buddies. So, at least it won’t have any of that ‘are we going to hook up’ awkwardness. She over exaggerated her shudder as emphasis. I can’t go through that again.

      I laughed with her, gathering the attention of some of the patrons because I snorted when I laughed too hard. I can’t say I blame you. After what you and Hayley told me you went through while dating in college, I’m glad I didn’t.

      We laughed while reminiscing some of the awkward stories from college. Cami was halfway through reminding me of the guy Hayley met off Tinder who looked nothing like his photos, and she called us to get her out of it, when my phone went off.

      Thinking it was Reese, I grabbed it from my bag as Cami got to the best part. As she explained how she called Hayley fake crying to get her to come home and away from the guy, my phone buzzed again. I glanced at the home screen to see Unknown appear across the screen. Sliding the lock off, I saw two messages that stopped my world.

      Unknown: Hello, Amber. I’m TD. You may not know me, but I know you. Don’t worry you’ll get to know me soon. I’ve kidnapped Reese. To get him back, all you have to do is play a game with me. Are you ready to play?

      TD: Oh, be sure to answer when I call. I have a few rules to share. It makes for a better game.

      CHAPTER TWO

      Reese

      I SAT ON COLD CONCRETE in the corner of a dark room that smelt of cellar soot and gasoline. I had no idea when TD would return. Use it to your advantage. The longer my captor is gone, I decided, the more time I had to figure out where the fuck I was and how I’d get out of this mess. Focus. Don’t waste time. I need to get my bearings if I’m ever getting out of here. I’ve got to get to Amber. No one knows I’m even missing. No one will come looking. I’m on my fucking own.

      I didn’t think I was chained to a wall in a basement. I’d ruled out being in a cellar early on because I didn’t remember walking down any stairs. Up either. Maybe a warehouse? A garage? An auto body shop? I shook my head, wishing the fog from the drug would clear and wondering why I’d been dumb enough to take the Frappuccino—extra whipped—in the first place. I don’t even drink that shit. It’s a chick’s drink. Black. No sugar. No cream.

      As I lurched forward to give myself some slack in the shackles around my wrists, I contemplated ways to get my hands free that didn’t involve chewing them off. But with the metal cuffs behind my back and a chain thicker than anything I’d ever seen on even anchors from the small cruise liners that pulled into port around my old home town, Nantucket, I wasn’t very hopeful. Pulling and twisting, I angled my wrists in every position possible, hoping I could somehow break free.

      An hour or more passed. By the time I finally gave up, I actually wished for TD to come back. At least with my kidnapper physically present, I could work on getting answers. Why hadn’t I asked? If I only knew how much time I was working with...

      All I was sure of was that it’d be late before TD returned. I hadn’t

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