Cruel King (Royal Elite 0)

I flip him off and stuff a cigarette in my mouth.

Daniel sent a text, telling me he found Astrid and he’s bringing her to the party.

I thought I’d have to drag her here, not that she’d come of her own accord.

On the outside, this looks in my favour, but it’s not.

Nothing good comes from messing up my plans.

I know it so well since Astrid has fucked up every plan I had for her since the day we met.

It’s been a whole damn hour since Daniel’s text, but they still haven’t shown up.

I breathe through my nose and snatch a lighter from Xan, ignoring his protests.

The party is in full-blown mood despite the Monday part of the deal.

A trendy pop song I don’t give a shit about thumps from the speakers. Everyone dance and grind to it like crazed animals.

Some of the team players down shots, led by Ronan. I’m not even in the mood to stop them. I’ll let Coach kick their arses during practice tomorrow.

I pull out my phone and dial Daniel for the hundredth time in the past hour, but his phone’s still turned off. I curse and start to light my cigarette.

Some murmurs break out at the entrance.

Ronan taps my shoulder. “Holy shit, Captain.”

My attention drifts in the direction where Ronan, Xander, and most of the other kids gawk.

My lips part, almost dropping the cigarette.

At first, I don’t recognise her, but one look at those deep green eyes is enough to identify the girl who’s been fucking up my life in all the right ways.

A low cut black dress reaches her thighs, hugging her curves and outlining her full breasts and the pale tone of her skin. Her brown hair falls on either side of her face. Red lipstick brings out the teardrop in her upper lip and contrasts against her unearthly, pale complexion.

She’s wearing matching red heels like she’s out for a party in the club.

I want to kidnap her somewhere so no one gets to look at her the way I do.

I want to blind my teammates so they don’t see her glowing as I do.

Maybe she’s right. I’m a fucking caveman.

“That’s bloody hot,” Xander mutters.

“Sure as shit,” Ronan says. “Where has she been hiding all those goodies?”

“Hey,

fuckers.” I glare at both of them. “Hands off. Eyes off. Go stare at someone else.”

“Maybe you should, too.” Ronan cocks his head ahead. “She’s already taken, Captain.”

Astrid stops near the entrance and throws a look behind her. Daniel winks and saunters ahead.

She smiles when someone else stops beside her and offers his elbow. She takes it and her grin widens as if she’s some fucking film star.

I see red.