Cruel King (Royal Elite 0)

He clutches my cheeks and pulls them so his face is mere inches away from mine. “You’re so fucking adorable when you’re angry.”

“Is that why you ghosted me for two weeks?” The question comes out of nowhere, but that’s probably because it’s been at the back of my mind since I woke up this morning.

I won’t pretend everything is okay after he spent two weeks pretending I wasn’t there.

His expression closes and he lets go of my face. Just when I think he’ll retreat and I’ll have to chase him all over the park, he entwines his hand with mine.

I run in front of him but with his hand holding me hostage, it’s kind of impossible to get far ahead from him.

“Tell me why.” My voice catches. “I have the right to know why you treated me like I didn’t exist.”

He says nothing, continuing to stride ahead.

“Are you going to do it again? Do I have to sit and wait until your switch is on and you turn against me?”

Levi tugs on my hand, bringing me to a screeching halt. “Believe me, princess. That won’t happen again.”

“Why not? If you did it once, what’s going to stop you from doing it again?”

He releases a frustrated sound and continues dragging me along. At first, I think we’re leaving, but he stops in front of the Ferris wheel and gives the man our tickets before he flings me inside.

I fold my arms and sit at the far end from him.

He slides to my side. When I attempt to stand up, he yanks down on my thigh with a strong hand.

A groan of frustration rips from me. “I’m angry at you right now.”

“You can be angry all you want without leaving my side.”

I release an annoyed breath and stare outside as the Ferris starts moving. The more we go up, the smaller the world becomes. People are so minuscule, they’re barely decipherable.

Levi’s hand snakes up the leg of my shorts. I grab and throw it away. “Unless you’re ready to talk, don’t touch me.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, princess.” His hand surrounds my throat. “I touch what’s mine whenever I damn well please.”

“Stop,” I hiss, feeling my walls crumble. “Just stop playing these mind games with me and tell me, Levi.”

His head tilts to the side like it does every time when he’s plotting something — usually trouble.

“Are you still searching into what happened that night?” he asks.

My brows furrow. “How did the conversation go to that?”

“Answer me.”

“I told you I’m not giving up on my justice.” My lips part as I search his face. “Is this what is it about? Did you have something to do with the accident?”

A muscle ticks in his jaw and he focuses on the outside world.

I clutch his face with both my palms, forcing him to look at me. “You… did?”

Oh. God. Please tell me this isn’t true.

I search his pale eyes for any tell, but they’re glassed over. He’s sealing himself inside.

“I was there,” he says calmly. Too calmly.

A sob tears from my throat.