Page 71 of Wild Fury (Fallen Royals 6)

“Who?”

“Everyone. They say you had sex with Theo.”

I wince. “I didn’t.”

“They’re saying he fucked you.” Her gaze is hard. “That you let him… do other stuff.”

“Well, I just said I didn’t.” I sigh. “Why do you give a shit, anyway? It isn’t like they connect me to you. Different schools, different features…”

The cheerleading princess and the quiet freak.

We don’t even look that much alike—and we certainly don’t have the same attitude. Not after being raised separate. I wonder if I’ll ever be able to cultivate that sense of sisterhood with her, or if our parents ruined it.

Ruined us.

“He’s furious.”

I wash my hands and check my slight makeup, then shove my glasses up my nose. “He’s always furious.”

She sighs and snags my wrist when I get close, pulling me into a hug. “Sorry.”

I squirm until she releases me. “Now’s not the time to get sentimental, Ames.”

Someone bangs on the door, rattling the handle.

She just rolls her eyes and steps back, flipping the lock. Immediately, another Emery-Rose cheerleader shoves inside. Her gaze lands on me, and she opens her mouth.

Amelie latches on to the girl’s arm and squeezes. “Don’t.”

“I—”

“Queen Amelie,” I mutter, slipping past both of them. Even her own friends would be so quick to say something cruel to me.

The bathroom exits out onto a narrow, dimly lit hallway. The men’s bathroom is on the other side, a few yards down. I hurry back toward the field, and I almost make it before someone grabs me. I’m shoved face-first into the outer wall of the bathrooms, and the person leans into me.

“Little monster.”

Theo, then.

I struggle against him, but I’m at a disadvantage. He lets me fight for a moment before stepping back, and I whirl around.

He towers over me. Dark hair, blue eyes, two lines of black smeared under his eyes. With the war paint, he seems more savage. This lighting creates sharp shadows on his face, enhancing the cut of his cheekbones and jaw.

Beautiful chaos. That’s what I saw as a kid, and that’s what I’ve been chasing.

He holds something up, shaking it to draw my attention down. Anything to break my stare, I guess. My camera dangles in his loose grasp.

I jump for it without thinking, and he scowls.

“You’ve been spreading rumors,” he says.

“Which ones?” I huff. “There are so many, I can’t keep track.”

His eyes narrow. “How many images are on here, I wonder? Any keepers?”

I suddenly can’t get enough oxygen in my lungs. “It’s a job.”

“That reminds me of a particular rumor…” He drops the camera and reaches out, shoving me to my knees.

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