Page 104 of Wicked Promises (Fallen Royals 3)

“You have the knife, Margo?” Liam asks.

She nods.

“Good.”

I roll my eyes. “Let’s hope she doesn’t have to use it, yeah? Now, let’s get the hell out of here.”

Downstairs, we wait by the door while Margo says her goodbyes. It’s hard to watch. She latches on to Robert and doesn’t let go for a long while, and he doesn’t force it. In fact, his eyes are closed, and he hugs her just as tightly.

The crash affected them more than physically.

“Margo,” Lenora says. “We’ll pick you up at eight to go into school. The principal wanted to make sure we were on the same page about your schoolwork.”

She nods, biting her lip.

I want to touch her.

Shield her from all this shit.

God, I was an idiot for ever wanting to break this beautiful, strong girl. She stands tall even as her world crumbles around her, while people are out to get her. In the face of tragedy and anger, she’s collected.

If I had it my way, I’d take her far, far away. To somewhere no one could hurt her. We’d live a happy life away from literally everyone. Have outrageous sex everywhere, get her pregnant, marry her—maybe not quite in that order.

That dream pops.

I don’t have my way. I have an inheritance controlled by my uncle for another four months, no power, no control.

No fucking clue.

She walks toward me, and I focus on her dark eyes. They’re glazed with unshed tears, but she still smiles at me and holds out her hand.

I take it and pull her close.

“Remember my promise,” I say in her ear. “No matter where you go, I’ll find you.”

It used to be a threat, but now…

It’s much more than that.

Norah and Josh give Margo two big hugs when we all walk in, and that seems to shock the hell out of her. She stands frozen for a minute, then relaxes into each of them.

“We’re going downstairs,” Eli tells them, giving his mom a peck on the cheek. “We ordered food.”

She smiles and pats the side of his head. “You all deserve some happiness.”

I agree. Especially Margo, who’s beginning to resemble a ghost with her paleness.

I haven’t released her hand since we left her house. Even in the car, and climbing out, I didn’t let go. Her bag is over my shoulder, and I guide her downstairs. She comes willingly, squeezing my hand softly.

The boys appear a second later with drinks, passing out the sodas. We all flop onto the couch.

“Lydia is the connection,” she blurts out. “I’m sorry, Caleb. But—”

I wave off my words. “I know.”

“Why is she working at that diner?” she demands. “Lenora mentioned something about the will, but—”

I rub my eyes. “Yeah. That.”

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