Steel Princess (Royal Elite 2)

“Did you just see that?” Kim whisper-yells. “Silver Queens just lowered her head! Man, I really should’ve seen the beating that turned her into this.”

My stomach twists. The more enthusiastic Kim is, the deeper and the more nauseous I feel.

This isn’t me.

I don’t take pleasure in hurting others.

Yes, Silver can be a bitch, but she did nothing yesterday. She just stood there and I attacked her out of nowhere.

When we step into class, my gaze immediately searches Silver.

She sits at the last table and scrolls through her phone, still wearing the scarf.

Two sets of eyes aside from mine bore into her.

The first is Adam, the rugby team’s captain. His thick brows draw over troubled eyes as he glimpses back at her. His bulging arms tighten against the uniform’s jacket with tension.

It’s like he can feel her pain.

The second is Cole. He stares back at her with a harsh gaze that makes me flinch — even though it’s not directed at me.

Ronan hops on his desk like a monkey, breaking his attention.

Kim leans in like she’s about to announce a conspiracy and nods in Silver’s direction. “Who is she and what have you done to our own bitch queen?”

I nudge her away. She giggles and flops down in her seat.

Ronan leaves Cole and hops on her desk. “Kimmy! I missed you last night. It’s no fun without you.”

“Sorry. I was babysitting my little brother.”

Ronan snatches a mint-coloured strand of her hair and plays with it. “Bring him over next time.”

“Fuck no,” Xander snaps at him.

I didn’t even realise he was in hearing distance. Wasn’t he chatting with that gymnasium girl just now?

“That’s none of your business,” Kim huffs at him and faces Ronan with a smile.

He goes on an endless monologue about last night’s game.

I’m about to take a seat beside Kim when the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

A strong hand strokes my stomach and a hard chest glues to my back.

My heart flutters as his clean intoxicating scent fills my senses.

I wonder if there will ever be a day where I don’t have this baffling level of awareness of him.

“Morning, sweetheart. Did you dream of me?”

I glance back at him so I’m half facing him. I place a hand on his chest in a fruitless attempt to push him away.

Aiden doesn’t give a fuck that he’s so close to me in front of the entire class. Hell. Sometimes, I think he’s doing it on purpose.

I’m not him. I care.

What would it feel like if I were as free as he is?