Page 85 of Wicked Dreams (Fallen Royals 1)

“I was looking forward to finding an empty bed.” I cross my arms and lean against my doorframe.

Her fingers play with the buttons on her blouse. “Quite the scene you made tonight.”

“Which is why I’m particularly surprised at your visit.”

She shrugs. “Thought you might want to know someone from our past found you.”

I tilt my head. “Let’s cut to the chase, Amelie. What do you want?”

“I want…” She gets up and comes closer, touching my chest. “You.”

I laugh. I can’t help it. Even if I wasn’t all-consumed with thoughts of Margo, Amelie leaves a bad taste in my mouth. “Not gonna happen.”

Her hand winds into my hair, and she pulls me down to her. I indulge her kiss for a second, watching her closed eyes. She makes some noises in the back of her throat.

I don’t feel anything. I shove her away.

She stumbles back, falling on her butt, and bursts into tears.

I sigh and open my phone, shooting off a quick text before recrossing my arms. “Who’s found me?”

Amelie pushes to her feet, glaring at me. “Who do you think?”

I shake my head. There’s only one person who Amelie would know about… one person with whom Amelie would know I don’t want involvement.

“Get out,” I snap.

“But—”

“No buts, Amelie.” Anger floods through me. “If you don’t leave right now, you’re going to wish you never set foot in here.”

She throws her shoulders back. “Don’t worry, Caleb. I already wish that.”

She stomps past me, up the stairs, and slams the front door shut behind her.

Eli comes down a split second later, whistling. “Wow. You doing Amelie behind Margo’s back?”

I grunt. “Fuck, no.”

“Then what did she want?”

I shake out my limbs. I need to go to the gym, work off some of this sudden anxious energy. She could ruin everything.

“Caleb.” Eli waves his hand in front of my face. “What did Amelie want?”

“To warn me,” I reply dryly. “Pretty sure she was looking for any excuse to come down here.”

Eli laughs. “Yeah, man. Sure. Warn you about what?”

I heave a sigh. May as well tell him. After all, I pretty much owe him for the rest of my life. Oh, but he’s going to freak out. “If you say a word of this to anyone, I’ll kill you.”

He nods. He’s used to my threats—takes them in stride and thinks something is off when I don’t threaten him.

“Margo’s mom is back in town.”

Eli pales. “Fuck.”

I nod, but it’s jerky. “She’s going to get in the way. I told her—”

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