Page 105 of Wicked Promises (Fallen Royals 3)

Eli grunts. “Story time.”

“It’s not that interesting.”

“Sure it isn’t,” he counters. “Just your mom’s entire motivation may rest on that one day. One moment where her life went…” He whistles, miming something falling and exploding.

I grit my teeth. “Fine.”

And then… Well, I do what I’ve been trying to avoid for a long time. I remember.

Past

Mom held me close. She hadn’t touched me in three days, but today she was a leech. Sucking my energy out of my body.

That’s what I told myself, anyway.

It was the day before the funeral, and all we had been wearing was black. My shirt was starched and scratchy under my suit jacket and pants, and the tie strangled me.

I didn’t understand why we had to get so dressed up to read Dad’s last words. They were just words on a piece of paper.

Uncle David and Aunt Iris came into the room. She ruffled my hair, which Mom immediately finger-combed back into order, and Uncle David knelt in front of me.

“How are you holding up?” he asked.

I shrugged. I just wanted to go home, but home was different now. Colder. Margo was gone, too, and I couldn’t figure out why. Her parents were gone. Mom hadn’t said a word about it, just locked the door to the guest house and… walked away from it.

She’d tucked the key into her pocket, and I wasn’t sure where the Wolfes had hidden their spare. If Mom caught me digging around in the grass, in their planters, she’d yell and cry.

Margo’s house was collecting dust, and my soul was, too.

It was dramatic. Ian would say I was being a sissy, but she had pulled a piece of me out when she left, and I was… abandoned to rot.

“Lydia,” Uncle David greeted her, straightening up.

“Did you come all the way to Rose Hill for this?” She sniffed.

“Wouldn’t miss this for the world.” He winked at me.

I didn’t know what that meant, but Mom yanked me closer to her.

The lawyer walked into the room and paused beside Mom. “Good to see you again, Lydia. I wish it was on better terms.”

She nodded.

“My son is transferring to Emery-Rose next year.” He looked down at me, then got on my level. “Would you do me a favor, Caleb? Keep an eye out for Eli Black. I’m sure he’ll be needing a friend when he goes to a new school.”

I nodded.

“Caleb might not be at Emery-Rose next year,” Lydia informed him.

Mr. Black shrugged. “Perhaps not. I guess we’ll see.”

He crossed to the table and opened his briefcase. There were chairs around the room, but no one was sitting. Relatives I didn’t know very well were scattered around, plus Uncle David and Aunt Iris. Mom at my back.

“No matter what happens,” Uncle David whispered to Mom, “you have a place with us.”

She stiffened. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Careful, dear,” Aunt Iris cooed. “The wolves may come out of the woodwork if you show… weakness.”

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