Page 117 of Wicked Games (Fallen Royals 2)

I exhale and close the lid on the pizza.

Caleb comes up behind me, one hand sliding around my waist, and his hand splays over my stomach, pulling me back against him.

“Not hungry?” he asks. “After that?”

I shrug, glancing away.

Why can’t I just lean into happiness? It’s right there, begging me to take it.

“What’s wrong?” His breath hits my neck, followed by his lips.

I tilt my head to the side. His other arm comes around me, dropping the ice pack on the counter, then locking around my chest. I’m thoroughly encompassed.

“You can tell me.”

“Everything,” I whisper. “Everything’s wrong. Do you ever just feel sad for no reason?”

He twists me around, cupping my jaw and tilting my head up.

I keep my gaze on his chin.

“Margo.”

I press my lips together.

“You have every reason to fall apart,” he says. “My fault—I wanted you to break. But I changed my mind.” He frowns. “You changed my mind. Because you’re still…”

I’m hanging on the edge of a knife.

“You’re still good. A bit devious.” He winks. “But at your heart?”

“Stop.” I push away from him.

He doesn’t let me go. His fingers dig into my neck, and he tugs me even closer. “You stop. Don’t run away.”

I wasn’t is on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t voice it.

He releases me and grabs the box of pizza. “My head is killing me,” he announces to Riley and Eli.

They pause their conversation. Riley’s eyebrows jump up.

“Come on, Margo.” And then he just leaves. His feet pounding down the steps to the basement.

“You okay?” Riley asks.

If only people would stop asking me that. I force a smile. “Dandy.”

“Don’t let him push you around,” she says.

I scoff.

“She’s been on a roll standing up to him,” she adds, glancing at Eli.

He glowers at her.

“On that note, I’m going home.” She grabs her purse and slings it over her shoulder.

Eli jumps up. “What? Already?”

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