Page 115 of Vicious Desire (Fallen Royals 4)

Someone drops a fork, and he stands abruptly. He scowls, fury radiating off of him.

My attention goes back to Riley.

She’s curvier this time around. Her breasts push against her tight black shirt. Her light-brown hair has streaks of gold in it.

I miss her and I hate it.

“I just don’t get it,” Liam says. “She doesn’t seem that bad.”

I blink. Is he talking about Riley? “What?”

“Margo.” He shrugs. “She seems pretty innocent to me.”

I grimace. “Don’t tell Caleb that.”

He will, though. Those two rub shoulders sometimes, and their brawls range from exciting to dangerous. I hate getting between them, but it’s usually the only thing that’ll make them stop.

“She’s not innocent,” Savannah snaps. She stares after Caleb like she wants to taste him.

It’s pretty fucking nasty.

Riley and Margo leave soon after Caleb returns to the table. He looks like the cat that drank the cream, satisfied with himself. And then he leans over and grabs Savannah by the neck, hauling her into him.

I hide my disgust—but Riley’s is written across her face.

She never was good at keeping her emotions under wraps.

They get up quickly and disappear.

As soon as they’re gone, my heartbeat picks up speed.

Fuck. That.

I stand, patting Liam on the head. “Be right back.”

He grunts.

I have a pretty good idea where Riley would’ve parked, so I go in that direction. I hurry to catch her before she leaves. Something sits heavy in the pit of my stomach at the thought.

She’s halfway across the parking lot when I yell, “Hey, Applebottom.”

I don’t know why I use that nickname. Why I keep using that nickname.

I like her ass. It’s fuller than it was a year ago, but it’s practically saying, Grab me, Eli.

“Where you running off to?” I ask.

“Just leave her alone,” Margo snaps.

Arrogant girl. No wonder Caleb is drawn to her.

“Come with me,” I say to Riley. “Just you, Applebottom. I don’t really care about your friend.”

I turn and stride away, knowing that curiosity and anger more than anything will push Riley to follow me.

And what’s my plan?

No fucking clue.