Cruel King (Royal Elite 0)

My bet is on the second.

He swings open the door leading to a medium-sized bedroom with a large bed and crisp white sheets. There’s a small desk and a closet, and that’s it.

Levi throws me on the bed and I crawl to the other end, my throat closing.

All my courage from earlier is completely gone now. We’re all alone here. My shoulder blades snap together at the realisation.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

He doesn’t answer.

Instead, he removes his jacket, throws it on the table and rolls the sleeves of his shirt to his elbows. “You’re speaking to me now?”

“Let me go, Levi.” I blend with the headboard, my heart thumping so loud, it fills my space.

“You’re calling me by my name, too.” His voice is calm. Too calm. It’s frightening. “That’s progress.”

“Is this another one of your games? Are you trying to scare

me?” I hate the tremor in my voice. It only proves how much his plan is working. “Go right ahead. Make me hate you for good.”

“Don’t you already?” The bed dips as he crawls towards me with black, impenetrable eyes.

“I do.” I fight the tears blurring my vision.

“You do, huh?”

“Did you think I’d run back to you because you stood up for me? Newsflash, King. I’m not a damsel in distress. I don’t need saving from what you caused in the first place.”

He grabs both my legs and pulls me towards him. I yelp when I fall against my bound hands and slide forward.

My legs spread open on each side of his strong thighs and my dress bunches up until my underwear peeks out.

He grips both my hips in his merciless, strong hands until I’m half-straddling his lap.

“The pictures aren’t my doing,” he says with fake calmness on his face.

Tears blur my vision as anger and shame roll off me in waves. “Don’t lie to me. I deserve at least that.”

“I never lied to you, princess. If I do something, I own up to it.”

“Yeah, sure. Then why was your face and even your damn car blurred?”

“I don’t know yet, but I’ll find out and whoever did this will pay.”

Every word coming out of his mouth is so sure and confident, I’m starting to doubt myself.

But isn’t that what he wants me to feel?

Isn’t it his purpose to reduce me to a mindless being?

A hand remains at my hip while his fingers snake up the hollow of my waist. I suck in a stuttering breath at the sensuality in his touch.

I can fight, but then what? He’ll just have me back exactly where he wants.

And maybe, just maybe I’m tired of fighting.

“You’ll also pay, princess.” His voice turns deadly and so do his eyes.