Vicious Prince (Royal Elite 5)

“Are you sure, though?”

Yes. No. I don’t know.

That arsehole is turning me into a version of myself I don’t like or understand. There’s this foreigner who’s taking over my body and leaving me without any thoughts.

The worst part is that I want to understand. Deep down, I want to sit with him, talk to him, touch him.

Just be with him.

“Do you want to know what I think, Teal?” Cole flips another page.

“No.”

“I think you do like it,” he continues, ignoring my reply. “Maybe you don’t like that you like it. Maybe you don’t like the effects it’ll have on your plan — and, by the way, I’m all ears if you care to share.”

“Hard pass.” He’ll just use it in his own game.

I haven’t even told Knox about it, and it’ll remain tucked between me and the shadow over my shoulder.

“He’s here,” Cole whispers, and I know who he’s talking about without having to lift my head.

The hairs on the back of my nape stand on end and I tuck a strand behind my ear then quickly drop my hand down. Why am I acting like the girls who are always praying for his attention?

“Read with me.” Cole points at a highlighted line.

I am the slave of what I have spoken, but the master of what I conceal.

“Why are we doing this?” I murmur.

“Because we can?”

Because we can? That’s so intriguing about Cole’s character. Does he always do things just because he can?

Is he one of the people who like watching the world burn?

“Salut.” Ronan’s voice cuts into my bubble. I take a breath before I look up.

Nothing would’ve prepared me for the scene in front of me.

Ronan has Silver glued to him by the shoulder as she stares up at him with dreamy bloody eyes.

Silver with her blonde hair and provocative beauty — the type Ronan has gravitated towards in the past.

What the…

“So, Captain, Teal.” Ronan grins at us. “Silver and I were going to drink and smoke and fuck. Who wants to join?”

“Yes, join us. Teal?” She stares at me, her eyes screaming, You broke a code.

Silver and I aren’t friends or even close, but we have an arrangement. Why is she doing this now?

I didn’t break the code. She did.

Cole remains still, flicking his gaze at them then back at his book. “Teal and I have a book to read.”

Sure, I can go on with Cole. If I really want to spite Ronan, I can grab Cole and kiss him and then see all hell break loose, but I can’t fake things like that.

I can’t stare at him in the eyes and pretend he’s someone else.