Page 47 of Cruel Abandon (Fallen Royals 5)

His grip tightens. “I can’t decide if the chase would be fun or just… a game to be won. Because you’re not that, right?”

I cock my head. “Does anyone want to be a game? Or prey?”

His eyes darken. “I think so.”

A thrill runs through me. Nothing serious with Liam Morrison—just a game. To see who wins… It’d be reckless. Stupid, even. He’s infamous on campus, has friends in high places, and knows my deep dark secrets.

Some of them, anyway.

But I know his, too.

“All right,” I whisper.

He pauses. “What are you agreeing to?”

“May the best woman win,” I say.

I duck under the railing and hop off the step, grabbing my bag. I dash down the stacks and straight out the doors. I’ll run all the way home if I have to—but I don’t think that’ll be necessary.

Mitch is waiting for me, leaning on the stone wall that frames the library’s garden.

“I had a feeling Liam was bluffing,” he says.

I take the coffee he offers me. “About me leaving?”

“Yep.” He glances behind us and sidles closer. “We can study back at my place, if you want?”

I hesitate.

“Oh, jeez,” he says. “I didn’t mean it to come off like that. Just studying. I can make dinner. When’s the last time you had a home-cooked meal?”

Well, it would be a nice fuck-you to Liam.

But beyond that… I could use some sunshine in my life. And Mitch smiling at me seems like the closest thing to sunshine that I’m going to get.

14

Liam

My mood is considerably bleaker after Sky leaves with Mitch.

The fucker is smarter than he looks.

Halfway across campus, headed back to my apartment, I am flagged down by Colt and RJ. They ran Howl but somehow escaped almost entirely free of scrutiny. I took the brunt of media force, and they’ve thrown some fights my way. Nothing major—nothing like Howl. But it keeps money in my pocket.

It pays not to rat out your friends.

“Where you going?” Colt asks.

They both pivot and walk beside me.

“Home.”

He grunts. “Nah, I don’t think so. You seem like you’re itching for a fight.”

And who am I to say no to that?

I’m worse than a junkie. Fighting—the money, the adrenaline—is my addiction.

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