Page 7 of Wild Fury (Fallen Royals 6)

I instinctively step deeper into the shadows. Until…

Well, fuck.

The car slows to a stop beside me, and the blacked-out window rolls down. Theo’s gaze rakes over me, up and down. From my windswept hair to the dress, to my shoes. Then slowly back up to my face.

“Get in,” he orders.

I take my own time appraising him. Summer has been busy. I went with my grandparents to Florida and almost threatened not to come back. One last hoorah as a graduation present before they move into their shiny new independent living apartment. He doesn’t look much worse for the wear, though. Cut jaw, piercing eyes. His dark hair is a bit longer on top than it is on the sides, pushed back. I’ve always wanted to run my fingers through it, but I resist.

“Get in the fucking car.”

I smile. His crazy is a black smudge on his soul, and I always seem to forget how much I crave it until I see it again. But tonight… I’ve had enough hands-on activities to last a year.

I circle around his car and slip into the passenger seat. It takes a minute to gather all the bits of my dress and arrange them so I’m not flashing Theo, then gently close the door.

He doesn’t move.

“What?” I meet his gaze.

“You’re beautiful,” he says quietly. Then, “Stop looking at me like that.”

I narrow my eyes. But really, I have to wear an odd expression. He just… he just called me beautiful, and this is the first compliment he’s ever given me. Out loud, anyway. I’ve felt his gaze burn my skin before. Felt his want. But he’s never given in to any urge to say it.

My stomach twists. This is so not the night for this.

“I’m not,” I manage, belatedly realizing he’s still waiting for a response. A denial I happily give.

He rolls his eyes and puts the car in drive. “You are. You’re looking at me like you don’t know me. Your beauty took me by surprise, and I’m sorry if that offends you.”

I cross my arms. “I’m not offended by my own beauty. I’m offended it took you this long to notice.”

He laughs.

I smile, too, and relax into the seat.

Isn’t it weird, how you can be yourself with your enemy?

Something occurs to me, and I straighten. “How did you find me?”

He turns onto my street. “I tracked your phone.”

Fucking hell. “How long have you been doing that?”

“I don’t know, maybe a year or two.” He smirks to himself.

“You’re kidding.” I twist toward him. “You can’t just track my phone without permission. That’s an invasion of privacy.”

He doesn’t respond. He rarely justifies himself. Pretty sure it comes with the air of entitlement and money his family is drowning in. So I hunt around for a subject that might bite him.

“How’s Will?” I ask.

His fingers tighten on the wheel.

William Alistair, Theo’s older brother. He had a fling with a girl from Theo’s school, caused a massive uproar, and promptly left the state. He’s probably doing big things over in Los Angeles or something. No one knows. It might be Hillshire County’s best-kept secret.

“Let’s talk about this hypothetical of yours.”

I sigh. “Let’s not.”

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