Page 53 of Wicked Games (Fallen Royals 2)

“Okay,” I say, “now tell us?”

She sucks in a deep breath. “When I was a sophomore, I dated a senior.”

Riley and I both stare at her. “Okay.”

“I was fifteen… he was eighteen.” Sav’s gaze bounces between Riley and me, then she blurts out, “We had sex, okay? And even if it was consensual—which it was—”

Riley makes a face. “Did someone threaten to tell?”

Sav bursts into tears. “Amelie told me to stay away from Caleb and his friends, or else she’d tell everyone what I did. She promised she would have Will arrested and labeled as a sexual predator.”

Riley’s eyes widen. “Holy shit. William Alistair? Theo’s older brother?”

Savannah wipes her eyes, trying to control herself.

I grab a tissue and pass it to her, tilting my head. “Do you still like Will?”

“I m-miss him,” she hiccups. “It was a secret. No one knew except for Amelie. But I broke up with him.... But he t-took me to the masquerade ball, and Amelie threatened to expose us again.”

“Do you believe her?”

She swallows, composing herself, and nods. “I believe she’d follow through on it. She’s big on threats… especially when she’s feeling threatened.”

“Wow,” Riley mutters. “You two pranced all over school last year, acting like the best of friends. It was a lie?”

“We were friends… for the most part. Unless I did something Amelie didn’t like.”

This is becoming more than just about Caleb—Savannah’s vendetta is about Amelie. It’s relieving to turn our attention away from the golden boy none of us can stand. Caleb’s brand of bullying is vicious. Amelie is eviler—and of the two of them, she needs to be put in her place more.

I grimace. “Okay, so any takedown can’t directly involve any of us, unless we want to deal with Amelie’s wrath. Which, I personally don’t.”

I hadn’t thought of Amelie very much in the years after I left. Savannah and I were best friends, and Amelie joined in. Once I was gone, she took my place and kept her head down. Savannah renounced me, and Amelie welcomed her back into the inner circle with open arms. Her beauty and lethal charm have kept her on the top of the food chain for too long.

And the same could be said about Caleb.

“Ah,” Sav says, glancing at the clock on the wall. “I’ve got to go. My parents will be expecting me.”

Riley stands. “Me, too.”

“We didn’t really decide anything.” Sav shrugs. “But if the name of the game is sabotage—baby steps, right?”

“Right,” I repeat.

I see them out, then go back to my phone. Unknown hasn’t replied, but I have a new text from Lenora.

Lenora: Robert had to work late, so I’m picking up dinner. Will be home around seven!

Me: Okay, take your time

.

It’s seven thirty. Clearly my words are unnecessary, because they’re not home yet. I clean the kitchen, putting the empty glasses in the dishwasher and running a wet rag across the island. Leaving a space how I found it is one way of staying out of trouble.

Even if Savannah, Riley, and I fail at the revenge we’re plotting, I can’t deny that it’s nice to have another friend.

I grab my backpack and trek up the stairs, slipping into my room and closing the door behind me. I whirl around, half expecting Caleb to be there. My window is cracked, a cold breeze blowing inside.

I cross the room and slam it shut. The snow is gone from the front yard—meaning any evidence of Caleb sneaking in is nonexistent. I let out a sigh and flip on the light. May as well do homework.

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