Page 43 of Wild Fury (Fallen Royals 6)

“You can get in the damn car or walk,” he says in an even tone. “You have till the count of five to decide.”

He can’t be serious.

“One… two…”

Shit. I scramble forward and grab the passenger door handle, flopping inside just as he says, “Five.”

He closes himself in and smirks. “That wasn’t so hard.”

“Everything about you is hard.” My face heats. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

He chuckles, and my heart skips. I don’t like the sensation. Or the way it’s picked up speed. Adrenaline, I tell myself. That’s all it is. He scared me, and so naturally, fear is the first response.

“You’re bleeding.” He’s staring at my knees, visible through my ripped jeans.

My jeans didn’t start off ripped.

“It’s fine.”

He can’t seem to look away.

“What’s your issue?” I ask.

His nostrils flare. “My issue is you.”

“Good, because my issue is you,” I retort. “Why do you even have to be so alluring? I’d be happy living my life without you in it all the damn time.”

We both breathe in the silence for a moment.

“This isn’t a one-sided thing?” I ask. “Because I see you and I get the urge to kiss you and then punch your lights out.”

He lets out a hoarse chuckle. “Neither of those things will ever happen, Lux.”

I straighten like he just electrocuted me. “Whoa, whoa, what’s with the nickname?”

“I think it fits you. You’re unique and, no offence, Lucy is an awful name.”

“No better than Theodore,” I mutter. “You have no manners. I’m lucky you don’t drop me in a ditch somewhere.”

He eyes me. “If I wanted you in a ditch, I wouldn’t have stopped.”

Oh, right.

We cross from Stone Ridge into Rose Hill, and it only just occurs to me how far from home I am. And how late it’s getting.

“You know I don’t live with my sister, right?”

He glances over. “Why not?”

“Because my parents hate my rebelliousness.” Which is true and sad at the same time. I tap on the window with my knuckle. “But you can let me out here. My friend lives down this side street.”

“Who?”

I cock my head. “You don’t know him.”

“Him?” He narrows his eyes. “Name.”

“For someone who has had minimal interaction with me, you’re being an ass.”

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