Page 139 of Wicked Games (Fallen Royals 2)

Our jog turns into a walk, which turns into a climb.

And finally, we get to our destination. We’re dumped out of the woods into a clearing. I spin in a slow circle, taking in the view. The water tower that supplies half the town is on the opposite side of the field. But beyond that is nothing but treetops, the city lights flickering in the distance.

“Beautiful,” Margo says. She wiggles until I release her thighs, sliding down my back. “We came all the way up here to escape the police?”

Matt puts Hanna back on her feet, and she rushes to Margo.

The two of them hug while Claire watches.

Interesting.

Claire’s gaze flicks to me, eyes wide. She stares longer than necessary.

I watch her. What can I say? I’m not one to back down from a challenge—spoken or not.

“How did you know this was up here, dude?” I ask Matt.

Theo and Liam didn’t come with us—I suspect they peeled off and caught a ride.

Matt grins, going toward the water tower. “Our lacrosse team parties up here.” He unearths a cooler half hidden by brush. “Drink, anyone?”

“No,” Margo murmurs.

“I’ll pass, too,” I say. To Margo, I whisper, “Plenty of time for that later.”

She snorts.

Matt flips the cooler lid closed, shaking his head. “Just as well. It’s probably not cold.”

He types on his phone, then stuffs it back in his pocket.

“So, you two know each other.” Margo points from Claire to Matt.

“You told me to keep an eye on her.” He raises his bottle, tipping it toward Claire. “So that’s what I did.”

Something about this has made Margo suspicious, but she doesn’t say anything. Her attention bounces between her foster sister and my friend.

My phone buzzes, and I grab it eagerly. Honestly, this is the last place Margo and I should be—with her foster siblings and my friend who has probably watched a spy-cam video of Margo and I fucking. But I can’t see a way out of here without being rude… or leaving Margo’s foster siblings with Matt.

I’m not that big of a dick.

Liam is calling me.

“Yeah?” I answer.

“That was fucking wild,” Liam hoots. “Police are gone. Coach sorted them out, although they hauled away like a dozen kids. Not sure how Theo got out—ow, okay, I guess the deputy recognized his last name—ow, fucking hell, Theo, stop—”

I snicker.

“Shut it, Asher,” he says. “Where’d you go? Eli texted, said he and Riley would double back for you if you needed it.”

I exhale, motioning for Margo to come closer. “We’ll be at the parking lot in ten. Doesn’t matter who gives us a ride as long as someone waits for us.”

“Over and out,” Liam answers.

I stuff my phone back in my pocket. “Cops are gone,” I tell them. “We’re going to head down.”

Claire bites her lip.

---