Page 107 of Cruel Abandon (Fallen Royals 5)
The screen changes to show all four girls in a row.
“They can’t lump Whitney in with them,” I say. “She—she’s not even…”
“News likes to sensationalize things like this.” He pauses the television on their photos.
Something about them…
I step closer, my eyes narrowing. “I haven’t seen them all lined up together.”
“Sky.”
“It’s bugging me,” I continue. “Why?”
“Skylar.”
I glance over my shoulder. “What?”
“They…” Liam shakes his head. “They’re all… similar.”
I analyze them again. Blonde, pretty. Aside from Amber, they were popular girls. The well-liked ones.
Although not without their secrets. Whitney and the video. Amber and her abusive boyfriend. Dig deep enough and we’d find what Natalie and Jasmine were hiding.
“We should go,” he says quietly. He shuts off the TV and holds out his hand. “Come on.”
I take his hand and let him lead. Out the door, which he locks three different ways, down the stairs, to the curb. Theo leans against a sleek, canary-yellow car. I’ve never seen this one before, but it looks expensive. And fast.
He tosses Liam the keys. “If you hurt her, I’ll murder you.”
Liam scoffs. “I’m the best driver.”
“It’s not you I’m worried about.” Theo glares at him. “Do not, under any circumstances, give those keys to… anyone.”
“Trust me, I don’t want to drive it,” I cut in. “I think you’re safe.”
He snorts. “Not worried about you, either, Buckley.”
Liam rolls his eyes. “She’s in college.”
Who?
“She’s tricky.” Theo shrugs. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
I glance around. I never really got along with Theo. His dark and angry vibes scare me. He’s like Liam, multiplied by money and privilege. He was always a loner in high school, preferring to go to events by himself. He never had a girlfriend.
We all drooled over him from afar.
Now, he folds his arms over his chest and steps back.
Liam opens the trunk and tosses his bag in, then comes and gently extracts mine from my grip. He gestures for me to get in and shakes Theo’s hand.
The interior is black leather with yellow accents. It’s so clean, it can pass as brand-new off the sale lot.
Liam snickers. “This car is ostentatious.”
“We’ll be right at home in Stone Ridge with it,” I joke.
He starts the engine and lifts his hand to Theo… and then we’re off.