Cruel War (The Gilded Sovereign 1)

I don’t want to want her. But there’s no denying she’s gotten under my skin. And now that I know the truth, I crave her more than ever.

“Everyone has a point in which they give in, this time… I’ve reached mine,” I tell him, glancing up at my best friend who tips his head to the side. Silent code to let me know we need privacy.

He leaves the kitchen, and I stalk behind him as we head upstairs to Etienne’s room on the second floor. The moment we reach it, I’m at the window. From here, I can see our house, and just behind it, through the trees on the hill, the old abandoned building my family owns.

The church that’s been sitting there since before I was born. It’s my sanctuary, and not in the way churches normally are; it’s the place I can go wild, do things that could get me into trouble, but I no longer give a shit.

It’s been a long time since I cared about anything.

Until Dahlia.

The thought appears in my mind out of nowhere, but I shake that shit off.

“What the fuck is going on with you?” His glare burns me, but even though I want to tell him about what’s going on in my head, I can’t. If I admit what I’ve been at war with, he’ll only tell me to stop this game I’m playing.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Look, man, you know I’d do anything for you.” Etienne’s expression is filled with serious concern. “But this has to end sometime. She’s not guilty; also, I have a feeling this girl could be good for you.”

I can’t help but laugh at that. Good for me? “Really, man? You’re turning into a little bitch talking to me about emotions and shit.”

“I always knew you were a bastard, Ares, but I can see you like her. Why are you fighting it?”

“Stop giving me shit,” I bite out. “I don’t like anyone. Yeah, I admit I want to fuck her, but that’s it.”

“Is it?” He folds his arms across his chest as he stares at me, waiting for a reaction. I’m tempted to punch him, to fight him on this, but I don’t. Instead, I hold my hands up in surrender.

“I’m not doing this with you right now.”

“Why? Because I’m right?”

Shaking my head, I turn away from looking at him and instead focus my attention on the darkness beyond it. I wonder if I’m losing my mind, if I’m so broken, nothing jars me anymore.

“Look, I’m not fighting with you. I just hate seeing you act out when I can so fucking clearly see how this girl affects you.”

“Yeah, because I hate her.”

“Look me in the eye and tell me that?” Etienne’s challenge has me spinning on my heel to glare at him. Meeting his curious gaze, I open my mouth to respond, but I can’t find the words. “I thought so.”

Shaking my head, I turn away, focusing on the window again, not wanting the judgmental stare of my best friend on me.

“We should go,” I finally say, wanting to change the subject.

“Are we heading up to your house first, or do you want to just head to the barbecue? Tarian is already there.”

The dark part of our triad, the third of the trio, is one of the more volatile. I may be named after the god of war, but Tarian, he’s the fucking god of death.

I’ve seen him break men twice his size. Thankfully, our fathers have managed to sweep everything under the rug. Perhaps they shouldn’t, but with our wealth and power, we’re able to run the world without anybody noticing anything untoward.

“Yeah, let’s see what he has up his sleeve.” I can’t help but grin thinking of the Calvert household, I recall how one of my best friends has a sprawling estate to himself.

Tarian was orphaned the year he turned eighteen. Lucky bastard inherited everything. Billions. Along with a company, he now runs. Even though he works for my Dad, he doesn’t have to. He’s self-sufficient.

Slipping into the passenger seat, Etienne turns the engine on, peeling out of the driveway and drawing the attention of everyone in our vicinity as we make our way through this sleepy town.

I turn on the stereo. When the deep bass of the rapper, Savage’s, ’Swing’ blares through the speakers, I settle back and enjoy the vibrations that travel through me.

The streets are busy, but each time we pull up to a light, I notice people looking over at us. The music blaring from my window draws eyes to the car, and I revel in the attention. I guess Philipe was right, trouble and I are best friends, but that’s just who I am.

When we reach the Calvert driveway, I notice the gates are wide open with cars lining the path. We pass them, ignoring the common folk, as Etienne pulls to a stop in the space where I notice Tarian chatting up a stunning brunette. Killing the engine, along with the loud bass, I get out of the car and head toward him with Etienne hot on my heels.