Twisted Kingdom (Royal Elite 3)

My breath hitches as I read and re-read his words.

And damn me.

Deep down, a part of me wants that, too. That part will be the fucking death of me.

Aiden: I waited for a long time. You know I’m not a patient person.

Aiden: Keep your promise.

I wait for fifteen more minutes, re-reading his filthy words, and rubbing my thighs together, but he doesn’t send any more texts.

Hugging the phone to my chest, I fall asleep with a knot in my chest and dissatisfaction between my thighs.

In the morning, Dad drives us to school. He has a meeting with RES’s principal about a generous donation.

In this circle, generous donations mean ‘my child is made of gold and shouldn’t be touched’.

Jonathan does that all the time. That’s why both Levi and Aiden are untouchable in the school.

I tried persuading Dad not to do it, but Agnus said I won’t be able to change his mind now that he has put his resources into it.

Dad decided to be a thorn in Jonathan’s side, and he’ll stop at nothing to make it happen.

It’s a fight to the death, whether I like to admit it or not.

Rivalling Jonathan’s donation to the school is Dad’s way to prove his power. One thing’s for certain: the board will be thrilled with all the money transferred into their accounts.

Teal, Knox, and I part ways with Dad at the car park. He heads to the administration building while we walk into the eighth tower.

“This is so stupid,” Teal sighs.

“I agree,” I say.

“It’s fun!” Knox smirks. “Think about it. Don’t you like the clashing of powers? This is like Game of Thrones without the dragons.”

I shake my head. Teal rolls her eyes.

“You two are so boring.” His face lights up when Ronan appears down the hall with Xander.

Death has Conquest in a lock as he says something in rapid fire. They’re probably bickering again.

The girls in the hall flock to them like they’re gods walking the earth.

Both Ronan and Xander have the time to wink at one girl and wave at the other even during their bickering.

They’re approachable — overly so. If it were Aiden and Cole, they’d be erasing everyone from their immediate vicinity — especially Aiden.

Cole might be polite, but he doesn’t go out of his way to make a connection or invite people to parties like the two walking towards us.

“Now, they aren’t boring.” Knox grins, waving at them. “Ro!”

“Oh, please. This isn’t the headache I need on a Monday morning.” Teal retrieves her phone and scrolls through it.

I’m starting to think the device is her weapon of choice when she decides to erase the outside world.

“Van Doren.” Ronan and Xander hug Knox in that awkward bro kind of way.

They have been hanging out since the first practice game. Knox has become a regular at Ronan’s parties — to Dad’s dismay.