Page 88 of Wicked Games (Fallen Royals 2)

I grab the notebook Riley has on her lap and clear my throat. “I was wondering if you could help me. My friend’s dad had a public defender about eight years ago, and all she can remember is the name Tobias—”

“I’m sorry, young lady. I worked for a prosecutor in Oregon before I transitioned to defense, and I’ve been at this office for fifteen years.”

Not a public defender, then. I close my eyes. “I’m sorry to have wasted your time. Thank you.” I hang up and drop the phone, falling back on the bed. “Well, that leaves… one. Not very good odds.”

She shrugs. “One is all we need. You’ll recognize him?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, let’s go to New York City then.” She stands, pulling me up with her.

“Wait, now?”

Riley snorts. “No. I’m sure we’ll figure out a time to sneak away.”

My phone rings. Caleb’s name flashes across my screen, and I promptly turn it facedown. I’m not avoiding him, per se… but we’re investigating why he knows my dad’s lawyer.

I don’t want to lie to him, and I can’t exactly tell the truth. What if he tries to stop me?

He could. He has the power to stop me in my tracks, at least temporarily. Nothing could stop me for good. And so, we’re avoiding. Big time.

“He’s going to get suspicious,” Riley says.

“I’ll deal with it later.”

Her eyebrow lifts. Almost as soon as my phone goes quiet, Riley’s starts up.

“Hey, babe,” she says.

I stare at her. Babe? When did that happen?

“Um, yeah, she’s with me—”

“No, Riley—”

She hands me the phone, looking apologetic. “Caleb.”

“Obviously,” I mutter. I take the phone and put it to my ear, announcing, “You’re interrupting girl time.”

“Girl time.”

My breath hitches. I haven’t heard that dangerous edge to Caleb’s voice in a while.

And yet, I continue on. “Yep. Riley and I were enjoying the peace and quiet. Catching up after a long day at school—”

“Where were you at lunch?”

I flashback to the first time he asked me. Then, it was to embarrass me.

Let’s play a game.

“Busy.” I grind my teeth together. “Why?”

I can practically hear his shrug. “Let’s say I care.”

“That’d be a new one.”

“You’re on dangerous ground here, Margo.”

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