Cruel War (The Gilded Sovereign 1)

“Rukaiya’s in London, but we’re not sure where or why. We’re also not sure if she’s taken her father’s side in this, or if she’s being held against her will.”

“Why didn’t you say anything in there?” I gesture to the place we just left.

“Because it’s better to have Etienne go alone. Tarian will follow a few days after, and then, I was planning on surprising you with a beautiful summer European trip to find your best friend.”

My mouth falls open in shock, but no words come out. I’m not sure what to say, so I say nothing at all. Ares leans over the center console and presses his lips to mine.

“Don’t tell me I never plan surprises because when I do, that stubborn little mouth of yours spoils it.”

“What are you going to do about it?” I arch a brow in question, already knowing the answer.

With a wicked smirk, Ares chuckles. “When we’re alone, you’ll be very busy swallowing my cock, little flower.” He pushes his door open and exits the vehicle. Seconds later, he’s beside me, helping me from the car, as we head inside.

“I look forward to the war,” I whisper before we’re joined by the guys.

“So do I, little flower, so do I.”

Bonus Scene

Etienne

The looming structure of Big Ben shadows me in the dimly lit streets. The corner of the meeting point we set for tonight is where I’m hidden. Since I arrived two days ago, I’ve been inundated with messages from Dahlia. Ares told her about my contact in the city who had spotted a pretty girl being escorted into a nightclub by two large, burly men.

The photo that I was sent showed the blonde-haired beauty who captured my attention the moment she stepped onto campus, almost a year ago. I watch the crowds of people walking across the bridge, taking in every face I see, praying I notice one person in particular. With every smile and each laugh, I wait to hear her voice, but none of them are her.

It doesn’t take long for me to see him nearing me. Isaac saunters up to me carrying a folder, which I’m guessing has all the information I asked for, in his hand.

“Nice to see you this side of the pond,” he grins. His British accent is thick when he speaks, and I immediately recognize the scar that runs up his left cheek.

“I’ve been wanting to visit for a long time,” I tell him. “But life gets in the way of having fun.” We shake hands before he offers me the folder. I don’t know if I want to see what’s inside. Are there more secrets we’re about to uncover?

Flicking the folder open, I scan the image on the first page. It’s definitely her. Rukaiya. But in the photo, her hair is colored a deep red.

“You sure this was the girl?” Isaac questions then. I nod slowly, reading the information about her flying to Germany, Amsterdam, and then Brussels. Two weeks ago, she landed in London, spotted in the West End on the arm of an older man. Flicking the page, I find a photo of them arm in arm, and I don’t recognize him.

“Who’s the asshole in the expensive suit?”

“That my dear boy is Remington Calvert, you know his nephew,” Isaac informs me, causing my gaze to snap to his in shock.

“Tarian’s uncle?”

Isaac nods. “Apparently. He’s been underground for about fifteen years. The Sovereign kept him safe when he was going to be arrested for running an illegal operation throughout Europe and Asia.”

“And, do I want to know what this illegal operation is?” Even as I ask the question, I realize I don’t want to know. My best friend, well one of them, has been through everything with me. All three of us grew up together, and ever since we learned about Ares’ dad, I hoped the rest of our story will be less dramatic.

I wanted to fly to London, find Rukaiya, and bring her home to America, to Tynewood, where she belongs. But it seems there are far more secrets that have been hidden in the name of the Gilded Sovereign.

“He’s the head of a company called Candy Cane,” Isaac informs me. “The information is on page seven. You may want to read it.” His voice is low, a whisper of conspiracy heavy in his tone.

I flip to the page in question and bile rises in my throat the moment I read about the company in question. The burning sensation brings tears to my eyes. I don’t know how Tarian is going to take this. And I have no idea if he’s even going to want to know, but he deserves the truth.

Even if it is hard to hear.

Learning about the dark past of people you call family is a bitter pill to swallow, but Tarian isn’t alone. He has us—the Sovereign.