Deviant King (Royal Elite 1)

Aiden drives us and Xander sits in the passenger seat, staring at us through the rearview mirror now and again.

I cradle Kim’s head on my lap while she snores softly.

If it weren’t for the suffocating silence, it would’ve been funny that her snoring is the only sound in the car.

I have no idea how to dissipate the silence — or tension — between Aiden and Xander, so I just focus on stroking Kim’s hair out of her face.

She swats my hand away as if I’m a fly. The smell of tequila permeates the air. She’s so going to regret the hangover come tomorrow.

Ronan’s house is only a ten minute drive from Kim’s and I’m so thankful for the short distance. Aiden parks in Kim’s driveway.

“I could’ve driven,” Xander says in a bored tone. “I live here anyway.”

Aiden’s expression is stoic. “You’re not allowed near her when I’m not around.”

I’m not sure which ‘her’ Aiden means, and something twists in my chest at the thought that he could mean Kim.

They were childhood friends and practically raised together. Same schools. Same hobbies. Even their parents belong to the same circle. Maybe Aiden has a bond with her. He did hug her while she cried.

“You mean my girlfriend?” Xander turns around and winks at me. “You want me to drive you home, babe?”

Aiden grips the steering wheel so hard, I’m surprised it doesn’t crush to pieces.

When he smiles at Xander, it’s almost manic. “Do you have a fucking death wish, Knight?”

“Do you, King?” Xander’s expression hardens until his jaw ticks.

I swallow past the lump in my throat. Despite the bruises from last week, they still look like they’re on the verge of cutting each other from limb to limb.

There’s no football team to stop them from killing each other this time.

“Hey,” I try to sound nonchalant as I open the backseat’s door. “Can one of you help me get Kim out of the car?”

Xander breaks the murderous war of glares and steps out of the car. He pulls her from my lap with ease. I catch a whiff of alcohol from him, but it’s not as strong as the tequila on Kim.

He lifts her in his arms bridal-style with so much ease like she’s a rag doll.

Her eyes crack open the slightest bit and she groans, head falling against his chest. Then, seeming a bit awake, she checks him out and pulls at his hair.

“You!” She slurs. “All because of you!”

“Kim.” I follow them.

“Elliiie.” She grins, and it’s surprisingly charming considering that she’s drunk. “Let’s commit muuurder!”

I smile. “Not a good idea, Kim.”

“Noope! Best ideaaa,” she slurs as her fingers lazily plunge in Xander’s hair, almost… stroking it? “Xaaan, am I pretty?”

“No.” He doesn’t even hesitate.

Her eyes shine with tears. “Are you ever going to forgive me?”

“No.”

“Fuuuuck. Youuu.”

Xander halts and I do, too, to avoid slamming into his back. Some staring contest erupts between him and Kim. Her eyes fill with unshed tears while his darken under the garden’s dim light.