Page 44 of Wicked Promises (Fallen Royals 3)

Liam stands behind Matt. Theo to my right.

And then there’s Matt Bonner, on his knees in the center.

“Who was your alibi, Bonner?” I ask. When he doesn’t answer, I crack my knuckles. The demons are coming out to play, and there’s no one here to reel them back in.

I think even Margo would be okay with this.

“Why did you take her?”

His gaze would cut through me if he wasn’t such a fucking coward.

Sudden clarity hits me. I hate him more than I’ve hated anyone in my life. Dad, Uncle David, the way I used to feel about Margo… it’s all dust compared to the fury welling inside me.

He hurt her.

Took her.

Tied her up and left her to die—

“Just fucking hit me already, Asher,” Matt growls. “Because I’m not saying a goddamn thing one way or another.”

“We’ll see about that,” Theo mutters.

“Who owns your loyalty?” I squat in front of him. “Honestly, Bonner. What the hell would make you clam up?”

He shakes his head. “Someone scarier than you lot.”

I snap my fist out, connecting with his nose. Pain radiates down my arm. It’s a sharp feeling, like squeezing a piece of glass. It wakes me up.

All of my senses come to life, exploding through me.

Blood gushes from his nose, and he brings his hands up to his face.

But he doesn’t say anything. Hardly protests.

“Cut him loose,” I order.

Liam frowns.

“Cut. Him. Loose.”

Eli pulls out his knife and cuts through the tape on his ankles, then his wrists. It’s painfully similar to how we found Margo.

Matt shakes out his arms and stands quickly, spinning in a circle.

“Eyes on me, Bonner,” I growl. “You hit me, you get to walk out of here. Right now.”

His eyebrow goes up. “What’s the catch?”

“No catch.”

Liam steps forward. “What are you—?”

“Hit me, Bonner,” I goad. “You took Margo, and I think you did it to get back at me for something. Jealousy?”

“Jealous of you?” He lunges for me, swinging wildly.

I easily dodge it.

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