Page 44 of Wicked Dreams (Fallen Royals 1)

I fold myself into the armchair.

“You’re early,” he says. “Our daughter—”

I bite my lip. They haven’t talked about her, only mentioned her those two times.

He sighs and continues, “She was a rule breaker. If curfew was midnight, she’d walk in the door at twelve-ten without fail. It drove Len crazy. And then our foster was different, but in the same way. She wouldn’t show up at midnight. We’d be lucky if she came home by two.”

I wince. “That isn’t my style.”

“I know, Margo. And we appreciate it.”

I nod.

“We were worried about this transition, but you seem to have your head on straight. How did tonight go?”

“It was fun.” I will my thoughts away from Caleb’s hands on my body and focus on my brief moments with Riley. “Nice to get into the school spirit again.”

He looks down at his book and removes his reading glasses. “We know his family. He’s had a rough…” He shakes his head. “Did you know him when you went to school here?”

“No,” I lie. I’m not sure why it slips out of my mouth, because the truth will probably come out eventually. “Not well.”

He nods. “All right. I’m done with the inquisition. Len and I drew straws to see who would stay up waiting for you. I’ll admit I’m relieved to see you back in one piece before midnight, so I can go to bed.”

We both chuckle, and I follow him up the stairs. I wave goodbye at my room and close the door quietly. I hesitate to turn around, wondering if tonight, Caleb will be sitting on my bed again. If he’ll come calling more now that he’s…

I finally turn, but my room is empty. The window is closed. What was it Robert had said?

He had a rough…

Rough what?

My phone buzzes in my hand. I’d forgotten I even had it.

Caleb: Dream of me.

The fucker slipped his number into my phone.

I drop it onto my nightstand and get ready for bed quickly, more than exhausted. When I dream, it isn’t of him. It’s a nightmare.

My mother clutches my shoulders, holding me close.

It isn’t loving. She shakes me hard, my head snapping back from the strength of it.

“What did you do?”

Tears fill my eyes. The world becomes blurry. She keeps shaking until someone rips her hands off me. I fall backward, my head smacking off the edge of our kitchen table.

“Margo, tell me!”

I can’t stop crying. My whole body trembles with the force of my sobs.

My head hurts.

My heart hurts.

Why?

“Why?” Mom screams.

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