Twisted Kingdom (Royal Elite 3)

Dad’s phone rings as soon as we’re at the entrance. He takes a look at it then smiles at me. “Go in first. I have to take this.”

On my way inside, his no-nonsense voice drifts after me. “Yes. I want no mistakes… Perfect… Friday night…”

Agnus nods at me on his way to the kitchen. I smile back, but it’s awkward at best.

Not only was he watching me the entire time on Dad’s behalf, but he’s also Uncle Reg’s twin.

One was Ma’s supplier of orphan boys and the other is Dad’s right hand.

Weird dynamics.

I take the stairs and stop at the sound of music coming from Knox’s room across from mine.

He must’ve finished the job for Agnus.

Now that I think about it, we haven’t talked about returning to RES. Dad said he’ll move us back to a private school here in Birmingham; Teal and Knox’s school.

I haven’t made up my mind yet, but that’s probably due to the load of information my brain is trying to process.

If I talk to Knox, we might come to an agreement.

The sound of metal music blasts from the room. I knock, but there’s no response. He probably hasn’t heard me because of the music.

I push the door with my fingertips and then stop.

Knox is splayed on his back on the bed, wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt and shorts. He’s laughing out loud while looking at his phone.

I’d bet a hundred he’s going through memes.

Teal rolls her eyes from her position at his desk. She’s going through some programming software and huffs as Knox laughs.

She has denim shorts without any stockings this time. I strain to read the quote on her blacktop.

A scar means I survived.

Just like mine and Aiden’s scars.

The words hit me harder than I like to admit.

We have those scars because we survived. We’re survivors.

Why the hell do I keep finding things to share with that bastard?

Teal hasn’t been exactly warm to me since I arrived, but she hasn’t been hostile either. She’s basically been ignoring me.

Both Knox and Dad told me to give her time, so that’s what I’m doing.

I’m curious about how they ended up with my father. They call him Dad, but neither of them is his biological child — per his confirmation the other day.

I’m about to knock again and go inside when something in my peripheral vision catches my eye.

A teddy bear sits on the shelves. It appears out of proportion for Knox’s room. The walls are all black and filled with metal graffitis about Metallica, Slipknot, and Megadeth. There shouldn’t be any teddy bears.

Oh, my God.

No, no, no...

This scene is familiar.