Page 50 of Wild Fury (Fallen Royals 6)

I spot Theo—just a glimpse.

Three days left.

Sebastian has badgered me. Every. Fucking. Day.

So you know what? I agreed. It took him eleven days to wear me down, and I’m ready to punch him for it. But he asked if I would go to the movies… and I said yes. Movies can be innocent. I’ll hold a tub of popcorn in my lap and keep my drink in the cup holder between us. Maybe we’ll go to a thriller—something to keep us occupied and not bored.

Ruby watches from her bed as I choose the ugliest sweatshirt. It’s brown-and-white tie-dye, the strings in the hood long gone, and about a size or two bigger than I should wear. I save this sweatshirt for lounging around, but not today.

“I don’t get it,” Ruby says. “Why go at all?”

I pause in removing the day’s makeup, turning to appraise her. “Because if I keep saying no, he’ll think chasing me is fun. I don’t want him to chase me—I want him to fuck off. So we’ll go on a crappy date and he’ll lose interest.”

“Not with the bet,” she mumbles.

I stare at her, not sure if I heard correctly. “Excuse me? What bet?”

She pales. “Um…”

“Ruby.” I drop the wipe and cross the room, sitting on the bed beside her. I grab her hand for good measure. “Please tell me.”

She shakes her head. “This can’t get back to me.”

I roll my eyes. “Who am I going to tell?”

Her expression says everything: the people who placed the bet, probably. And I can guess who they are, too. I set my jaw and wait her out.

“Fine.” She exhales. “Sebastian and my brother talked Theo into letting Seb have a fair chance at you. From what I understand, the bet was that Seb had to kiss you within two weeks, or else he would leave you alone for good.”

I swallow, suddenly sick to my stomach. “And if he won?”

“Then…” She grimaces. “I can’t repeat it.”

“Ruby.”

“Something about sex with an audience of one…”

Oh God. They didn’t just want to hurt Theo—they would’ve wanted to torture him after the fact. Bastards.

“I don’t love that look on your face,” Ruby says.

“It’s because I’m going to murder them.” I set my jaw, and my mind goes down too many paths to keep track of. How to hurt Sebastian. “Why would Theo even agree to that?”

“Because… they threatened to blackmail him.”

My eyes go wide. My heart might pound right out of my chest at this rate. My body keeps going hot and cold. “What?”

“With cheating.” Ruby clings to my hands. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve told you this days ago, but Hale swore me to secrecy. And you’ve just been so quiet, I thought those fourteen days might pass quickly. But then—”

“I agreed to a date,” I finish. “Like an idiot.”

I stand suddenly, pulling her up with me. “Get ready.”

“Lucy—”

“Rubix Cube,” I say sternly.

She narrows her eyes at me, then smiles. “I told you not to call me that.”

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