Page 118 of Vicious Desire (Fallen Royals 4)

He waits.

“I think the family is in danger,” I spit out.

“The family—who, the Appletons?”

I keep my eyes on Riley, making sure she doesn’t come closer. “They’re afraid. Riley and Noah, anyway. Riley’s been having some weird stuff happen… nothing reportable, of course. But—”

The detective lifts his hand. “Riley’s father is a highly respected prosecutor for the district attorney’s office. There are some pretty high-profile cases going on right now, so I’ll make some inquiries. See if I can dig up a price on their heads.”

My stomach drops. Dad defends people like that—people who put fucking bounties on innocent girls’ heads.

“Whoa, whoa,” Masters says. “I didn’t say that’s what’s going on here. I saw that train of thought leave the station.”

“You don’t know what’s going on,” I snap.

“I know the Blacks don’t get along with the Appletons.” The corner of his mouth lifts, daring me to deny it.

I can’t. I’m standing here with a bruised ego and face, and Riley’s dad is in handcuffs at the opposite end of the hall.

“Probably had something to do with that case…”

I tilt my head, feigning casual confusion. Inside, though, my stomach plummets out my ass.

“What case?” I lie.

Detective Masters wrinkles his nose, disgusted. “Your father taught you well.”

Speak of the devil—Dad comes toward us.

“It’s like you summoned him,” I murmur.

To say Dad and I haven’t been seeing eye to eye since I started the assistant coach position would be putting things lightly. He was downright furious when I came home and announced my new title, mere days before his deadline.

The goal was to piss him off, but I thought it would blow over.

It didn’t.

He walks up to me, seeming ready to deck me himself and grabs my chin. He pushes my head to the side, taking a closer look at the bruise I’m sure is already visible. It hurts like a son of a bitch, and worse yet when Dad probes at it.

“We’re pressing charges,” Dad says to Detective Masters. “I want him arrested for assault.”

Oh boy.

“Dad—”

“Mr. Black, your son has already declined to press charges. Of course, he has the right to change his mind at any time.” The detective’s gaze swings back to me.

Now they’re both staring at me.

“No,” I say. “I already said no. Shouldn’t you get him out of handcuffs now?”

Dad rolls his eyes. “You heard him, Detective.”

Masters nods and heads down the hall, leaving me and Dad alone.

“You okay?” he asks in a low voice.

I frown. “He really hates the sight of me. Because of Riley?”

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