Ruthless Empire (Royal Elite 6)

Silver Queens is here to conquer.

Aiden and Cole have always been unbeatable at chess, but what they seem to have forgotten is that I also play. I plot, too.

Just because I let Cole invade my body in that brutal, unapologetic way doesn’t mean he gets to step on me.

The thumping of some trendy pop music echoes in the air. RES’s students dance to the beat, chugging alcohol and grinding against each other.

Some make out openly, clinging to one another as if tomorrow will be the apocalypse.

“Ew, gross,” Veronica chirps loudly as we pass them by.

“Get a room, losers,” Summer continues.

I stare back at the couple even after we pass them. My chest aches at the view and I shake my head refusing to think about the reason.

“Mission?” I ask them.

“Find Cole before he does something stupid.” Veronica readjusts her generous cleavage.

“On it, Sil.” Summer gives me an ‘I’ll call you’ sign as we split up.

I told them I can’t let Cole do anything that will hurt Papa’s image. It’s true — but only partially.

One, Cole would never do that. He’s too careful.

Two, that’s nowhere near the reason why I’m here.

I begin my hunt through the house. The problem is, Ronan’s mansion is so damn huge. I get lost in it on normal days, let alone when it’s full of people.

Pulling my phone out, I type.

Silver: Have you seen Cole?

The reply comes immediately.

Aiden: Since when are you so obvious about looking for him?

Silver: Answer the question.

Aiden: That would be a no. I don’t like being ordered around. Try again in ten years.

Aiden: Best of luck finding him when he chooses to disappear.

I swear I’ll punch Aiden one day, but that won’t be today or as long as he’s agreeing to be engaged to me. I’m not an idiot. I know he’ll leave me in a heartbeat if he chooses to, and if that happens, I’ll be completely at Cole’s mercy — or the lack thereof.

At least now, he feels threatened. Now, when he thinks no one is watching, he looks at Aiden like he wants to murder him.

Cole has always gravitated towards Aiden more than Ronan or Xander. It’s like an understanding of sorts. What if he’s only hung up on me because Aiden has me, and once Aiden disappears from my side, he’ll consider himself the winner and move along?

My chest squeezes at the thought.

Since when did I start to have Mum’s mindset?

My phone vibrates with a text.

Summer: Spotted at the eastern wing fifteen minutes ago.

That doesn’t help. There are, like, fifteen rooms there.