Ruthless Empire (Royal Elite 6)

I make them walk at a slightly faster pace. It’s not fast enough to alert the shadow, but it’s fast enough to get away.

As we round the corner, I pretend to look for something in my bag and I catch a glimpse of him.

He stands at the entrance of the tower.

The shadow is Adam Herran. The captain of the rugby team. His father is one of Papa’s party friends.

And he was at the wedding.

16

Cole

Observation is the source of all evil.

If you fail at it, you’re screwed. If you’re the subject of it, you’re also screwed.

Only a few people take the time to observe their surroundings and be aware of their environments.

Most are headed forward, not caring about the opportunities or the chances they miss. If they would just throw a look sideways, if they’d stop to watch, their lives could dramatically change.

Observing my surroundings — especially people — is what has given me a gift very few have…recognising weaknesses.

If you observe someone long enough, you’ll pick up their habits and, soon, their telltale signs and their sensitive buttons. It’s all in there, laid out for the taking.

There’s an art in observing. You can’t be too obvious, or you’ll be labelled a stalker, a creep, and a whole lot of unflattering terms.

My books have always served as a camouflage for my observation sessions. That way, I can concentrate on the words while figuring out my surroundings. Observing doesn’t interrupt my flow — if anything, it enforces it. While observing, I take the necessary time to process the words I’ve learnt.

For instance, now, during practice. Xander has thrown the ball three times off the pitch. It’s not because he’s bad — out of all of us, he probably has the best aim. He missed on purpose because he gets to run there and have a better view of Kimberly, who’s started to show up for our practices.

He’s been hung up on her since we were six or something, b

ut then one day, he decided he should hate her. I figured out his reason some time ago, and I still think it’s dumb.

If you want something, go for it. Society and expectations be damned.

Xander doesn’t share my philosophy, so instead of acting on his feelings, he keeps getting in her vicinity, begging for a look from her or some proof that she hasn’t forgotten about him. But when she does give him validation, he pretends she’s the rock in his shoe.

He’s pathetic.

Then there’s Aiden. His poker face has been cracking whenever a certain Frozen is in sight. She’s in the track team and they’re practising across from us. He hasn’t listened to a word the assistant manager has told us. Instead, he’s been watching her with that calculative streak.

He’s more discreet than Xander about it, but it’s there, and I know, I just know that Elsa is my one-way ticket to break him the fuck off from Silver.

And they will break it off.

The curtains have fallen. They can’t fool me anymore — not that they should’ve since the start.

I run back to defence and cut off the beginning of a counter-attack. I’m good at ruining things before they start. The assistant manager shouts, “Fantastic tackle, Captain!” But his words don’t register.

Nothing does.

Since yesterday, I’ve been on a high I haven’t been able to control.

I did it.

I finally took Chaos by the throat and fucked her like I secretly fantasised for years.