Cruel King (Royal Elite 0)

In the evening, he drives me home. It’s a miracle I convince him to drop me around the corner so Dad doesn’t see him.

Dan — the traitor — isn’t even putting up a fight to take back his position as my driver.

You’ll thank me for it later. his words, not mine.

And you guessed it, I have to kiss the manipulator Levi good night, too. That’s the most troublesome one because it usually leaves me hot and bothered all night — that’s if he doesn’t yank my legs apart and goes down on me in his damn car.

Despite all the time I spend with Levi, I’m still clueless as shit about him.

Some days, he’s the devil, all complete with that black look in his eyes. Other days, he’s laughing and teasing and making my life hell.

While the first version scares me, a part of me wants to exploit it and figure out why he acts the way he does.

And more importantly, I need to know for how long he plans to keep me on a leash.

Even with all the burst of excitement and pleasure he brings to my life, I’m not stupid to trust him. Not after he made it blatantly clear that he’ll destroy my life if I don’t bow to his authority.

Unlike what Levi ordered, my case is still very much alive with the police. True, he didn’t bring it up lately, but that’s the reason why he approached me in the first place.

Back then, it was so simple. I hated Levi and everything he stood for. But now, I see different sides to him every day.

I see how he holds my hand when we run to pull me along.

I see his nostalgic smile when it rains before he pulls me out into it with him.

I see him at practice, with his teammates, and in class, and it’s like he’s not the same Levi. While all the other teenagers are high on spontaneity and living the moment, Levi is the responsible one.

He’s usually in deep thought with him and himself — even when he's surrounded by his closest friends. It’s like he has his own world all complete with forts and bridges where no one else is allowed.

A part of me wants to barge into his sec

ret world, but the other part is scared of what I’ll find in there.

What if his world is a one-way ticket and I’ll be trapped?

I take my coffee and thank Sarah on my way out of the kitchen. Phone in hand, I text Dan that I’m going out. It’s Friday afternoon and we agreed to meet at Ally’s. Usually, we meet on Saturdays, but since Dan became a permanent starter, that plan is out.

I make a beeline towards the back entrance through the pool house. Dad and Victoria are at some charity dinner, but old habits die hard. It’s become natural to sneak my way out of the house.

Near the pool house’s door, strange sounds make me halt in my tracks. I inch closer, expecting to find an animal or something.

The sounds raise in volume. There’s a moan then a growl and the unmistakable slap of flesh against flesh.

I should’ve continued on my way, but hearing such sounds at home is as rare as England’s sun. Even Dad never touches Victoria, except for the platonic hand grab here or there. Thank God for that. I totally don’t need the image.

Making sure to keep my body out of view, I peek inside and freeze. The first thing that greets me is a man’s naked arse. He pounds into my step-sister like a crazed animal.

Nicole’s face twists, whether in pleasure or pain, I don’t know. Her eyes meet mine, and I jerk back, but not before recognising the guy she’s with.

I run out of the house, my head a complete chaos.

Christopher Vans.

Levi’s closest friend.

“Earth to bugger!”

I snap my head up from my chocolate smoothie.