Page 137 of Wicked Dreams (Fallen Royals 1)

“Yes?”

“What a lovely greeting, nephew. Are you not in school?”

I shake my head. “Had to run an errand.”

My uncle is silent. “We heard about your old friend’s unfortunate incident.”

Now I’m quiet. How the hell did my uncle hear about Margo? I’ve taken care not to mention her.

He chuckles. “Relax. We’re not doing anything… yet.”

“Aunt called Amberly, didn’t she?” It all snaps together. Loose pieces that suddenly make sense. “Which means she didn’t leave town.”

“I really don’t appreciate you threatening people, Caleb. I thought you learned to be better than that.”

To maneuver better.

Yes, I thought I had, too.

Margo has me all twisted around.

“What can I do for you, Uncle?”

“Stop by the house after your… errand. And keep it between us.”

“Got it.” I hang up on him. He’s not the most sociable person. I’m surprised he didn’t hang up on me first.

I sit in the driveway for a second, then get out and walk into Margo’s house.

It’s interesting how the Jenkinses have made her feel so at home, but she’s unwilling to call it that. She’s gotten used to moving around so much, she seems to have forgot what stability looks like.

Maybe she never had it to begin with.

She’s asleep on the couch, curled on her side. I close the door quietly and kick off my shoes, then go and kneel next to her.

There’s a furrow in her brow. Her lips are pinched.

Even though she’s sleeping—I can tell she isn’t having a good dream.

I smooth back her hair and smile as she exhales.

“I’ll keep you safe,” I tell her.

I don’t know if I’m telling the truth or not.

My feelings are all mixed up.

When I look at her, I see… her. But I see our past, too. Every fucking moment reminds me of the day she ruined our lives. One confession.

I begged her not to, but she did it anyway.

She whimpers in her sleep.

I loosen my grip in her dark hair, smoothing it out again. I should go, but I can’t stop touching her.

She blinks and focuses on my face. The smile that spreads across her lips rips my heart out. Even so, tears spill down her cheeks.

“Why are you crying?” I swipe the tears away, but they keep falling.

---