Steel Princess (Royal Elite 2)

I’m supposed to push him away not pull him in, damn it.

I only come out of my stupor when the car slows to halt in the middle of nowhere.

And I mean the middle of freaking nowhere.

My limbs stiffen.

This isn’t the King’s mansion or somewhere in civilisation.

No.

The place appears deserted without any houses or people in sight. The only sign of human intervention is a dirt road that we must’ve taken to get here.

Countless pine trees stand in the distance, nearly colliding with the cloudy sky.

The only building in sight is a cottage-like house with a wooden structure and a small garden at the front.

My shoulder blades stiffen and I frantically watch my surroundings as if I’m searching for help.

And maybe I do need help.

Why the hell would Aiden bring me here if he didn’t plan to hurt me in some way?

He steps out and closes the door. I flinch at the sound.

What the hell is wrong with me? If Aiden saw that, he would’ve used it against me.

When I don’t get out of the car, he rounds to my side and opens the door. His forearm rests on the hood of the Ferrari as he peers down at me like I’m a wonder.

From this angle, he’s so otherworldly, it’s unfair.

“Are you planning to stay there all day?” he asks.

“No way in hell am I leaving this car.”

His poker face is on as he speaks in a detached tone, “Don’t worry. I don’t bury them here.”

My eyes almost bulge out of their sockets as I gawk up at him.

He bursts into laughter, the sound echoing around us like an instrument.

A dark as hell instrument.

But for some reason, I’m caught in that laughter.

In the ease behind it.

In the honesty of it.

Aiden rarely laughs, and when he does, it’s usually a part of his mask. But right now? He appears genuinely happy. Something swells at

the thought that I’m the reason behind it.

“Jesus.” He pulls at my cheek. “You should see your adorable face.”

I swat his hand away, trying to feign offence. “That’s not funny.”

“It isn’t. But you are.” He motions to the house-cottage. “Come on.”