Twisted Kingdom (Royal Elite 3)

Knox hits the ground head first.

A collective gasp sounds from the audience and even the assistant coaches.

“Knox!” Teal is about ready to tear the wires down and run onto the pitch.

Before she can, Knox stands, appearing non-injured.

He grins at his teammates when the referee whistles for a penalty. Even Ronan ruffles his hair and gathers him in a bro hug.

I glare at Aiden. He stalks back to the midfield with an expressionless face, but I feel the tension beneath the surface all the way to where I’m standing. It’s licking at my skin like a vapid, savage animal.

“What the hell is number eleven’s problem?” Teal’s glare matches mine.

“He’s jealous,” Kim says.

“Kim!” I hiss.

“What? He is. King doesn’t go back to defend. It’s not a coincidence he went back after you called Knox’s number.”

“Whatever.”

“You told me not to tell him Knox is your foster brother. Admit it, Ellie. You want him to be jealous.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Yeah, right.”

“Don’t drag my brother into this.” Teal stares between us. “He’s a dork, but he’s reckless. I don’t want him to make enemies with this King bloke.”

“Don’t worry,” I soften my tone when I speak to Teal. “I also don’t want Knox involved.”

“Sure.” She types furiously on her phone. “Eleven is a King and they’re Dad’s mortal enemies.”

As if I could forget the declaration of war between Dad and Jonathan at the Rhodes fundraiser.

“I’m out of here. I’ll wait for you in the car park.” I pause. “Do you want to join me, Teal?”

“I’m good here.”

That’s weird. I thought she wasn’t paying attention to watching the game with all the typing.

I head to the car park and lean against Kim’s car. I retrieve my history book and read through some highlights I made during today’s class.

My thoughts bounce back to how Aiden tackled Knox. If he keeps doing that shit, I’ll need to have a word with him.

Is he going to bully Knox in the team?

I trust Cole and Coach Larson not to let him, but you never know with Aiden. He’s in the habit of proving everyone wrong just because he can.

“Back off,” a female low voice reaches me from a few rows of cars on the left. “Don’t mistake my silence for weakness.”

Silver.

It’s her voice.

Curious, I tuck my book in my backpack and head in her direction.

“Do you know how long I dreamt about this?” A male voice.