Page 127 of Vicious Desire (Fallen Royals 4)

And then a memory sparks, so loud I should’ve remembered it before.

“It was because her dad returned it to your office, isn’t it? You were there,” I ask.

“James and I were meeting with your father when Appleton arrived,” Lawrence says.

Riley squeaks, and I glance back at her.

Maybe she didn’t know he returned it. The fact that he did it publicly was the icing on the cake. He made sure everyone knew how our team had fucked up, letting sensitive information fall into the hands of his daughter.

Her fingers slip into my back pocket, and I try not to react.

I have no idea who she’d call. Yet, I get the impression that even if Lawrence is locked away, people will keep coming for her.

“Riley didn’t give the prosecutor’s office any new information,” I inform him. “Our whole plan was centered around diverting attention from the fact that Courier knew—and hated—the man he killed. Anyone with a brain knew that this case was next to impossible.”

She stills.

Maybe she thought she had done something irreparable. Helped her dad, the case.

The only thing she hurt was our relationship… and I’m still left wondering why.

I push that aside, because Lawrence is approaching. He glares at Riley over my shoulder.

“Okay,” he finally says. “Consider yourself lucky, girl.”

I stay still as he motions to Kaiden, and they cross the gym to the outside doors.

“Holy shit,” she whispers.

The doors slam behind them, and we’re left in silence.

I don’t know if I’m pissed at her or them, but the relief that we’re safe slides into anger. How did we miss the fact that she was being stalked by the West family? A huge family in New York City with—alleged—Mafia ties.

Fuck.

“They must’ve been behind Noah getting hurt. He refused to say—”

Her head whips around. Sirens scream in the distance, racing toward us.

“What did you tell them?”

She shakes her head. “I didn’t say anything. I just dialed nine-one-one and hoped they could hear some of what you were saying.”

I grunt. I don’t really want another altercation with Masters, but it might be too late. The door opens again, and the detective strolls in.

“Well, you sure know how to keep your fathers in business,” Masters calls to us. “You two all right?”

So cavalier.

I roll my eyes. “No thanks to your sad police work, Detective.”

He chuckles. “Still got a fighting spirit, I see? Even in the face of danger. Maybe you were meant for the other side of the court room. Come on, now.”

Riley starts to go, but stills when I don’t follow.

She turns around and raises her eyebrows.

We still have a hard conversation ahead of us, but right now? I think I may have just figured out my future.