Page 12 of Vicious Desire (Fallen Royals 4)

For a split second, I admire his self-control.

“Leave,” he orders.

I smirk, touching my lip. It’s already hot to the touch. I spit blood onto the floor and cross to the counter where my phone waits. I tap a few keys, then show them the instant replay: talking, Noah’s first lunge. My confused expression, and then the final blow.

I could’ve been an actor in another life.

Noah glowers at me, and the girl gasps.

Blackmail. I don’t have to spell it out for him: he could go to jail for this. Lose more than just this cushy job.

I’d take everything from him.

“I’ll be in touch.” I stride out the door and cross the street.

My truck is right where I left it this morning, parked inconspicuously two blocks down.

My face is already throbbing. I slide into the driver’s seat and pat the steering wheel. I flip the visor and examine my jaw.

Well, then. It’s already a mottled blue, getting angrier by the second. I prod the inside of my cheek with my tongue, finding where my teeth sliced the skin open.

Seeing him through the window the other night, I had assumed most of the muscle he’d packed on in high school had been lost. I’ll cheerfully admit that I was wrong.

Oh, this is going to be a brilliant shiner.

The truck roars to life, and I grin.

It’s finally happening. Six months of planning, and the scales are tipping back in my direction. It wasn’t just Riley—it was her whole goddamn family. They’re all going to pay, one at a time. They’re all going to be under my thumb by the time I’m done with them.

One down, three to go.

5

Riley

I hover by the door. Noah should be home soon—his shift at the tattoo parlor was supposed to end twenty minutes ago.

Dad is working late again.

Mom is locked in her room.

Finally, it swings open, and I jump forward.

Noah throws his hands up, yelling.

I scream at the sudden noise, my heart rate skyrocketing.

“What are you doing?” he hollers.

“I was waiting for you.” I press my hand over my chest and try to catch my breath. “Why are you so jumpy?”

“Because you’re lurking.” He tosses his keys on the mail table and kicks off his shoes. “Why were you waiting?”

I glance outside. I’ve been working up the courage to go search for my water bottle, but I’ve only made it so far as putting on running gear. My left shoe has a spot of blood on it that I haven’t been able to scrub out, and my knees… I could say I rubbed them with a cheese grater and it would be believable.

Noah gestures to the stairs.

He’s got a point—a wordless, silent point.

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