Page 158 of Wicked Promises (Fallen Royals 3)

“You’re safe.” He offers his hand.

I let him help me up. Caleb rises with me, keeping one hand on my hip.

The detective’s attention goes to Caleb’s wrists. He points out the obvious: “Duct tape.”

“Claire bound me,” Caleb says. “It’s a long story.”

“No doubt. Josh is waiting for you both outside, as are your foster parents, Margo.” He lifts his chin toward the door into the main diner. “Let’s go out the front.”

“That’s it?” I ask. I can’t help it. “It’s over?”

“Claire tried to run. She’s in custody. We have some questions for her, and then… we’ll figure out where she goes from there.”

“She said she didn’t act alone,” I blurt out, stopping. The journal is back in my pocket, safely tucked away. What kind of evidence will it actually be? Anyone could’ve written in it.

I can see Robert and Lenora huddled together by an ambulance, and my stomach twists.

I continue, “There are things you don’t know. Big-picture things.”

Masters nods. “There’s a time to figure all that out, okay? Right now, I’d like to see a happy reunion. Don’t want to keep them waiting, right?”

Caleb laces his fingers with mine, squeezing my hand.

Masters walks out the front door, holding it open for us, but Caleb keeps me back.

“Whatever dark hole you crawl down,” he says, pressing a kiss to my temple, “I’ll drag you out of it.”

Tears fill my eyes.

That’s exactly what he did.

And he’ll have to do it again, because I’m still there. Drowning in the past that’s suddenly right in front of my eyes.

36

Caleb

I wrap my arm around Margo’s shoulders. She’s shaking like a leaf, but I don’t think she even realizes. Her expression doesn’t change from the worried scowl when we go outside, crossing the street to where the ambulances have parked.

Robert and Lenora rush toward us. They surprise me by not waiting until we’re separated. They throw their arms around both of us, so it’s like a weird, crying huddle.

I pat Robert’s back, but my gaze is on Margo.

There’s something in her expression that has me on edge.

The concern, more than anything, is the driving force pushing away my anger. She went into the diner when she knew Claire was dangerous. I could’ve handled it, but Margo played right into Claire’s hand. Of course Claire wanted the three of us in the same room, with herself in control.

The EMTs check out Margo and I as soon as Robert and Lenora release us. We sit on the back step. Margo’s hand is loose in mine.

She’s still not here.

“Caleb,” Mr. Black calls. He puts his hand on my shoulder once he gets to us. “Thank God you’re all right.”

“We made it out in one piece,” I say.

Margo shakes her head. “Did we?”

“I think Uncle David has Amberly,” I tell him. “Can you tell Detective Masters?”