Page 40 of Cruel Abandon (Fallen Royals 5)

Sky’s head in the clouds. Can you see the stars up there?

I jolt, jerking out of his grip. My eyes can’t possibly open any wider. It felt like someone whispered that in my ear. I haven’t heard it in so long, the voice is almost a stranger’s. But I’m pretty sure Liam has said that to me before.

I just can’t place when.

He regards me carefully. “You okay?”

I shake it off. “Fine. Do I seem not fine?”

“You look like you might pass out.”

“Oh, that. Nope, totally normal. Just wondering if you’re hiding handcuffs in there. If that’s like, your master plan. Get me to go willingly into your house and then lock me up forever. What a way to keep a girl safe, right?” I’m babbling.

He grins. “Don’t tempt me.”

I blanch.

He disappears inside, and I step up to the threshold. It seems decidedly normal. A huge open room, kitchen and living room and dining room all separated by different furniture. I lean in, trying to see around the kitchen.

“Skylar,” Liam barks. He strides back over, pausing about five feet away.

I jump.

“Why are you still out there?”

“Um…” Why, indeed? Because I’m a wreck? Because while that kiss is burned into my memory, I’m afraid it might happen again?

He raises his hands in surrender. “I’ll be a gentleman. One-time offer, but I’m good for my word.”

I suck in a breath, then let it out. “Okay.”

One vulnerable moment won’t kill me.

12

Liam

Sky is a quiet force. She’s always had a magnetism about her. That’s why I got into trouble at Howl when she was there. I thought I had seen her in the crowd and Baker almost won because of it.

I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a girl in my apartment. There’ve been quick fucks here and there, in cars or their apartment, but if you invite someone over, they suddenly don’t want to leave.

Somehow, I don’t think Sky will have the same inclination.

Not that I’d mind.

Having her here is weirdly normal. Comfortable. As normal as it was to see her sitting at my dining room table in the mornings before high school. She occasionally caught a ride with me, but more often than not she was only there to escape her parents.

They fought.

Hard and loud.

She never said as much, but I caught my parents talking about it a few times. How Sky had a feral look in her eyes after too much of it. Enough yelling would drive a person mad.

So she took refuge with us, and more specifically, Jake.

I hated that they were friends, or even remotely friendly.

Sky was mine. I found her, I helped her climb out of the muck, I did that.