Page 4 of Wicked Promises (Fallen Royals 3)

“Her foster father was found at the scene of a car accident. She was not in or around the vehicle.” He stands as well. “From the condition of the car, she was badly hurt when they pulled her out of the wreck.”

“And you’re here?” I snap. “Questioning me when you should be—I don’t know, out there searching for—”

“Caleb,” Mrs. Black says, putting her hand on my arm.

I jerk away from her.

“No. No, this is bullshit. You say she’s missing, but what you really mean is someone took her.” I narrow my eyes at the detective. “Get the fuck out of here.”

“Has anyone been paying too much attention to Margo?” the detective asks. “Besides you. Her foster mother was unable to confirm anything, but I suspect Margo would’ve been more open to talking with friends.”

Fucking Unknown.

I’m no closer to figuring out who they are, but I’d bet I can find her faster than the Rose Hill Police Department.

Who knows how much manpower they have on a foster kid who’s been in the system forever? Who was once marked as a runaway? The detective is looking down his nose at her, even though he saw where the Jenkinses live. What kind of company Margo keeps.

He needs to leave.

“I don’t think so,” I say. “Nothing jumps out.”

He pauses, then nods. “All right. We’ll be in touch. Stay in town, hear me?”

I lift my chin.

Eli’s mom shows him to the door, and I beeline for my room. I shove my shoes on, lacing them tightly, and grab my jacket.

Eli intercepts me at the top of the stairs.

“Dude.”

“Get out of my way,” I snarl.

“He’s still out there, you jackass,” Eli says. “What do you think, he’s just going to tell you Margo’s missing and then drive away?”

I should’ve assumed he was eavesdropping.

“I know—” I grimace. “I don’t know who has her. But I kind of know.”

He rears back. “What?”

“It’s complicated.” Panic grips my throat. I tug at my hair. “Listen, we don’t have time for this. I lost her once. I will not let someone else take her from me.”

Eli stares at me for a moment, then he grins. “I’m in.”

I blink. “Huh?”

“I’m in. And don’t worry about the detective—just meet me around the block in five.” He shoots me a look, snatching my keys out of my hand and tossing them over my shoulder. “You’re not even supposed to be driving, anyway.”

He spins around, leaving me standing there.

With Eli… a little bit of hope comes back. We can find Margo.

I’m not ten years old, pushed along by my family’s current. I can make my own choices. And I will bring her home.

Past

Margo. Margo. Where did she go?

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