Page 16 of Wild Fury (Fallen Royals 6)

“College is filled with dicks like that one,” I say suddenly. My foot leans harder on the gas pedal. The open highway stretches before us, a freedom like no other. “Don’t let a friendly face fool you.”

Lux is silent.

“And avoid the parties,” I advise. “Drinking, drugs—”

“Sounds like a good time.” She leans toward me. “You like to get high, don’t you?”

Sometimes weed is the only thing that can quiet my mind.

I sure as hell don’t admit that, though.

“Roommates. Sometimes you can trust them, but everyone—”

“Has an agenda,” she finishes. “Even you. Even me.”

“Especially us,” I correct.

“So, why are you bringing me to LBU, Theo? What’s your agenda?”

I really wish she hadn’t asked me that. It’s not like I’m in the habit of spilling all my secrets—even to beautiful girls who ask politely.

Today has thrown me off. I didn’t expect her parents’ solution to be to put us together, or for my mother to pull strings and get Lux into Lenox Bluff University. She’s about to be in my space, and the overwhelming emotion circulating through me is… panic.

“I don’t have an agenda.” And it’s the truth.

Keeping Lux at a distance works for me—until it won’t.

I flash back to the conversation with my mother this morning. My room smelled like smoke, I’m sure of it. Even just a trace would’ve given her a hint. I was only home for a few weeks, then right back to school.

Mom told me what happened, and neither of us were surprised.

“You’re on the football team,” she says suddenly.

I press my lips together and nod. “It’s inconsequential.”

“To what, murder?” She laughs. “Maybe I’ll follow in my sister’s footsteps and become a cheerleader. Put a little pep in your step.”

“No.” A growl slips from my throat.

I can picture her in the skimpy uniform for the whole damn world to see—and I hate it.

She grins. Her teeth flash out of the corner of my eye, and I shake my head. No one presses my buttons quite like she does. From fine to irritated in a split second. Irritated to mad even quicker.

This is why distance is best. When she’s around, I’m volatile. Look what happened last night. I lost control.

“Theo…”

Can she sense the tide within me turning?

“We’re almost there,” I force out. “I’m done talking.”

5

Lux

The campus is basically a castle.

Okay, not really. I doubt actual castles got built anywhere near Boston. But the architecture is reminiscent of old Europe. The gray stone exteriors, the tall spires, stained-glass windows. If this collection of buildings weren’t clearly part of a larger university, I would assume we had stepped back in time. As it is, the West Campus seems oddly secluded from the rest of the school. Five buildings huddle around a small quad. It has its own dining hall, a dorm, and classrooms. Even a little one-stop-shopping convenience store.

---