Page 54 of The Royal Flame
But I hate that I can’t be the strong one for Maddy at the moment.
So I nod, even though I fucking hate it.
17
CHAPTER
MADDISON
I’m sitting on my bed, staring at my phone, wondering why River hasn’t messaged me back. He hasn’t arrived either and it’s getting let. This isn’t like him, and it has me so worried.
Am I just being paranoid, though?
I’m not sure.
I restlessly tap my foot as I attempt to patiently wait. I have on my nicest outfit, the plaid dress, heels, and leather jacket I wore to orientation, along with the knee-high socks Lily had insisted I wear. My hair is pulled up in ponytail, mostly because I know if I end up getting into a fight with my mother—which has happened—she’s a total hair puller.
After a handful minutes tick by, I push to my feet, grab my purse and phone, and head out of my room to head to River’s dorm and see if he’s there. As I’m stepping out into the hallway, though, I spot him walking up the hallway.
His dark hair is styled perfectly, he’s sporting grey pants and a black shirt, along with nice boots, and he has his hands in his pockets. He look so perfect my heart skips a beat, but then my pulse falters at the sight of his pale face and bloodshot eyes.
I approach him. “What happened?”
His gaze drinks me in and normally, I’d be swooning over that, but not when he looks like he’s sick or something.
“I’ll tell you about it during the car ride to the restaurant.” He nods his head as he turns in the other direction.
“Okay.” I walk beside him while eyeing him.
His shoulders are slumped, and he barely looks at me.
My stomach churns. Is he rethinking helping me? If so, I should be relieved. I never wanted him to get mixed up in my shit show of a life. But my chest is trying to crush me to death at the mere thought of him bailing out.
I repeatedly tell myself to be grateful he may be bailing as we make our way outside and down to the parking lot where a limo.
“A limo?” I ask River when I realize it’s for us.
He nods, the wind blowing wisps of his hair out of place, but it only makes him look sexier. “I can’t drive right now, and this was the only driving service available last minute.” A small smile touches his lips. “Besides, I have a feeling you’ve never ridden in one before.”
“Hmmm… whatever made you think that?” I attempt to joke, but my nerves are spiraling out of control and the anxiousness in my tone makes that evident.
He frowns at that, but then offers me his hand. I place it in his and we finish the rest of the short walk to the limo where the driver is waiting by the back door. He greets us as we approach and opens the door.
River has me climb in first, says something to the driver, then hops in. The driver shuts the door and River rolls up the divider window. Then he blows out the loudest breath while rolling up the sleeves of his shirt.
“I don’t want to freak you out, but Finn insisted it’s better if you know. And he’s probably right.” He reclines back in the leather chair.
We’re sitting close enough that his leg is touching mine and I have to wrestle back the compulsion to reach out and brush my fingers along his knee.
“What happened?” I ask, rotating in the seat toward him.
He stares up at the roof for a moment before lifting his head and turning toward me. “On my way back from your dorm, someone from the society jumped me and drugged me up.” He glances down at his arm where a bruise is blooming.
“What the hell, River?” I grab his arm. He winces, and I quickly loosen my grip. “They injected you with something?”
He nods, swallowing hard. “When I woke up, I was in this secret room. Eli was there along with other members, and they said I was the sacrifice.”
Blood roars in my eardrums. “They were going to kill you?”
