Twisted Kingdom: Royal Elite Book Three Read online

  Even Aunt who’s not Aiden’s biggest fan is nodding along with him.

  “We’ll be outside,” Dad addresses my adoptive parents. “Blair. Jaxon.”

  Uncle places a kiss on my forehead and stands up.

  Aunt strokes my cheek and covers me to the neck. “Just so you know, I won’t be out of your hair, hon. I don’t care what your father and Uncle say.”

  I nod with a smile as Uncle wraps an arm around her shoulders and leads her outside.

  Agnus gives Dad an indecipherable look. It’s strange how they can communicate without words. I guess it’s possible if they’ve been best friends since they were ten.

  Dad stops at the entrance. “Right. Elsa, Agnus said you have something important to tell me?”

  My heart hammers in my chest as I glance between Agnus and Aiden. The latter lifts a shoulder, adjusting the blanket and appearing oblivious to the whole thing.

  Agnus’ expression is completely blank.

  Why the hell would he tell Dad that? Does he want me to disclose what happened in the past? Is he ready for the consequences?

  I meet Dad’s eyes, and the decision is easier than I ever thought it would be.

  “I do, Dad.” I smile. “I remember the past.”

  Agnus doesn’t move and his expression remains the same. He really is ready, isn’t he?

  “You do?” Dad’s face hardens. I don’t think he wanted me to remember.

  Like Aunt, he doesn’t like me exposed to all that trauma. However, I think they understand that in order to overcome the trauma, I needed to have a recollection of it.

  “I remember that night.” I nod in his right hand’s direction. “Agnus saved us all.”

  “That he did.” Dad appears almost proud. “He really did.”

  Agnus raises an eyebrow in my direction. Aiden simply smiles, shaking his head.

  I meet Agnus’s unfeeling eyes with my own.

  “We’ll talk later, princess.” Dad smiles at me then at Agnus and exits the hospital room.

  Agnus nods at me. “Thank you.”

  “I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing it for Dad.”

  “My gratitude still stands. Ethan deserves a daughter like you.”

  And then he’s out of the door.

  “Ethan deserves a daughter like you,” I repeat with mockery. “Can you believe that shady man?”

  “I can, actually.” Aiden strokes my hair back like he can’t stop touching me, a small smile lifting his lips.

  “Hey, what do you keep smiling about?”

  “Well, Agnus was certain you’d tell Ethan the truth because you’re righteous like your father. He was actually wrapping up things at the company. I told him you wouldn’t.”

  “How could you be so sure?” Even I wasn’t until earlier.

  “Because you love your father, and you’re the type who sacrifices for those they love. You know how much Ethan suffered by losing his family and that it would destroy him to lose his best friend of thirty-four years. Even though you don’t agree with what Agnus did, you understand why he did it and you know he’ll never hurt him. Deep down, you’re comfortable that there’s someone like Agnus protecting your father.”

  I groan. “How the hell do you know me so well?”

  “I stalk you on Instagram.” He winks.

  I can’t help but chuckle. The sound soon turns into a cough.

  “Hey, take it easy.” He strokes my cheek, his thumb caressing my lips. “If you give me such a fright one more time, I swear —”

  Lifting my head, I close the distance between us and seal my mouth to his. I was dead for a moment, but he brought me back to life.

  I can only feel alive if he’s touching me.

  If he’s saying my name and calling me back to life. If he’s telling me things —

  What I feel for you isn’t only love, obsession, or addiction. It’s all of those and more.

  I pull back from his lips with a jolt. “Did you… Did you by any chance tell me you love me while I was feverish?”

  A gleam sparks in his eyes. “Maybe.”

  “Aiden! That’s not fair. You’re supposed to tell me that while I’m conscious.”

  “Hmm. Like now?”

  I nod frantically. “Yes, totally like now.”

  “Hmm. I’m not really feeling it, but we can fix that if you bring me back to the right mood.”

  “Aiden!”

  “What? This is your punishment.”

  “Fine. I’ll do it.”

  As if possible, the spark in his eye ignites further. “What did you have in mind, sweetheart?”

  “Guess you have to wait until I’m out of the hospital.”

  He smirks. “Sneaky.”

  “I learnt from the best.”

  His lips come back to mine and I breathe him in. The hospital smell fades in comparison to his scent and his warmth.

  My fingers thread in his jet black hair and I let him ravage me. I let him show me just how much I mean to him.

  Aiden and I aren’t the darkness and the light. We both have tarnished minds and souls.

  But we’re not soulmates.

  We’re lost souls that fit in perfectly imperfect harmony.

  And I’ll do everything I can to protect what we have.

  “Wait,” I say against his mouth. “What were you and Agnus talking about earlier?”

  “We’re planning something. It’s going to be fun.”

  Aiden and Agnus are planning something.

  What on earth could two psychopaths consider ‘fun’?

  40

  Elsa

  I spend a few days at the hospital.

  The sheer number of tests exhaust me and I can’t even complain.

  Dad and Aunt stand next to me like grim reapers, not allowing me to say anything.

  Turns out Aiden is a lot worse than them when it comes to my health.

  He’s been there for every test, wheeling me from one department to the other. When I told him I could walk, he ignored me and continued his path.

  At night, though, he’d sneak inside my room, spread my legs, and eat me for dinner. He said I’m too weak to be fucked, but he can still relax me with his tongue.

  Relax me. As if.

  I had to cover my face with the pillow so Dad and Aunt don’t hear my moans of pleasure from the other side of the room.

  Aiden is a sex God. He doesn’t have to stimulate me for long and I’m soon screaming his name.

  His dislocated shoulder has been healed. Since they removed the sling, he doesn’t allow anyone else to touch me. Not even the nurses.

  One of them told me he has it bad, and I kind of agree.

  I never thought I would like this side of Aiden, but I do. My chest flutters at witnessing his care and concern for me. It makes me feel special and loved.

  This is Aiden after all. He never shows this side to anyone, not even his family.

  When Levi and Astrid visited me yesterday, they kept asking me what type of voodoo spell I used.

  Everyone else came by as well. Knox and Teal were waiting outside that first day I woke up and spent the night.

  Today, they’re here again with the three horsemen and Kim.

  Aiden lurks in the corner, cutting an apple for me, his face calm. However, the darkness beneath the surface radiates off him in waves. I can feel it without looking at him.

  I know exactly why his demons are contemplating to come out and play.

  Aiden is possessive — like over the top. He’s not so pleased that Ronan, Xander, and Knox are sitting on the bed, surrounding me, laughing and jesting about mundane things.

  If it were up to Aiden, they’d all be thrown out — except for Kim and Teal. Actually, even the girls are debatable.

  However, since he knows I’m happy about their company, he’s trying to control that side of him.

  Thus far, he’s succeeding.

  I act oblivious as I listen to Knox tell me about their last game and his ‘heroic’ p
erformance.

  “I’m telling you, Ellie.” Knox points at himself. “I’m Elites new ace striker.”

  “Sorry, mate.” Xander grins, showcasing his charming dimples. “That position is already taken by me.”

  “Screw both of you.” Ronan physically shoves them out of the way and takes my hand in his. “Do you know how worried I was, Ellie? I didn’t throw a party for an entire week.”

  “Some commitment from the devil,” Teal mutters from her seat next to Cole.

  They’re the only calm people in this place.

  Teal’s T-shirt for the day reads, I’d agree with you, but we’d both be wrong.

  Ronan doesn’t pay her attention and continues in his overly dramatic speech. “Bah alors, Ellie. You can’t get hurt when we’re going to get married.”

  “Do you want to meet your maker, Astor?” Aiden’s sombre tone shoots towards us like sharp knives.

  I suppress a smile with the back of my hand.

  Ronan cocks his head as if deep in thoughts. “No?”

  He leans over and takes both mine and Kim’s hands in his. “Seriously, though. I’ve been praying you survive and King doesn’t so we can have that threesome we agreed about.”

  “I heard that,” Aiden says from above him.

  “Remove your fucking hand.” Xander’s lighthearted mood vanishes as he glares at Ronan.

  Kim blushes something fierce before she pulls her hand from Ronan’s.

  Aiden smiles at Ronan, but there’s no humour whatsoever in it. “Isn’t that your dominant hand, Astor? It would be a shame if it somehow didn’t work tomorrow.”

  Woah. Aiden can be really scary if he chooses to.

  “Sick fucker,” Ronan whines, dropping my hand.

  I catch Cole’s lips moving in my peripheral vision. ‘Pussy,’ he mouths at Ronan.

  “Fais chier, connard.” The latter flips him the finger.

  Cole just smiles. He’s like a cat toying with a mouse.

  A hunter with a prey.

  He sets the trap and sits back to watch his prey being caught.

  I’m beginning to learn Cole only shows the tip of the iceberg to the world. There’s a whole lot of secrecy and darkness underneath the surface.

  I can only imagine what it feels like to be his enemy.

  Shivers.

  After a while of joking and jesting — and Aiden sulking on the side — they stand to leave, promising to visit when I get discharged tomorrow.

  “You don’t have to come.” Aiden shoves every one out of the door. He pauses at Xander. “You and I need to talk.”

  Xander’s ocean eyes snap back to Kim who’s still standing beside me.

  She pales, her hands digging into her skirt before she pulls at the sleeves of her pullover. She’s been doing that a lot since she came in.

  Actually, she’s been having this wild gaze for a few days now.

  Kim smiles, but she sucks at faking them. The grimace falls way too soon as she leans in to kiss me.

  “Are you okay?” I clutch her hand.

  “When you’re out,” she gulps. “I’ll tell you everything.”

  “Okay.”

  She hugs me again, sniffing in my neck. “I’m lucky to have you in my life, Ellie.”

  “So am I, Kim.”

  Xander doesn’t leave. He stands by the side of the door, slightly blocking it. He doesn’t attempt to give way and Kim has to stop.

  “Can you move?” she snaps without looking at him.

  “No.” He stares at the top of her green hair, crossing his arms over his chest.

  “Just move out of the way, Xan—”

  “Don’t say my fucking name.” He cuts her off.

  Kim’s face reddens as she slams her shoulder into his shoulder and brushes past him.

  He nods at Aiden and then follows her.

  Aiden continues to watch down the hall with that calculative look before he shuts the door and joins me.

  The mattress shifts as he sits beside me and wraps his arm around my shoulders.

  “What the hell was that all about?” I ask him. “Why did you tell Xander you needed to talk?”

  “It’s for Reed’s sake.”

  “K-Kim? Is she in danger?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Not yet?”

  “I know how much she means to you.” He sighs. “I’ll make sure she’s safe.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  “Hear her side of the story first.” He strokes my hair back. “And then we’ll talk, okay?”

  I nod slowly. As much as I want Aiden to tell me everything, Kim is my best friend. I need to hear what the hell is wrong from her.

  Aiden retrieves the plate of the cut apples and places it in front of me. He’s back to sulking, but he still feeds me the slices.

  I try to tell him that I can use my hands, but he’s not listening.

  I take a bite and munch on it slowly. I study his profile as I eat. The strong jawline, the metal eyes and the dark strands I’m itching to ruffle up.

  He’s mine.

  All mine.

  The thought fills me with a strange type of empowerment.

  This boy who told me he’d destroy me is now my number one protector and carer. He would do anything to make me happy.

  Turns out his plan with Agnus was about the Rhodes deal. Aiden and Dad’s right hand somehow convinced Tristan Rhodes he could get better results if he hired both King Enterprises and Steel Corporation in their respective field - King for imports and exports, Steel for copper and their mass productions.

  Jonathan and Dad, ex-friends and rivals, are now partners.

  This deal brought a certain type of peace to their strained relationship. I don’t have to worry about Jonathan anymore either.

  Levi told me about the threat Aiden made against Jonathan. If he comes near me or interferes in our relationship again, Aiden will leave him without an heir.

  I never wanted Aiden to go against his father, but the fact that he’s doing it for me makes me feel all fuzzy inside.

  “Are you still mad about earlier?” I ask after the third bite.

  “Hmm. So you knew I was mad.”

  Oops.

  He removes the hospital table and lowers himself atop of me. Before I can blink, Aiden grabs both my wrists and pins them onto the pillow over my head. “Was it fun, sweetheart?”

  “Maybe.” I bite my lower lip, my heart hammering so loud, I’m sure he can hear it.

  This side of Aiden is my addiction and my damnation.

  I love his intensity and his madness.

  I’m in love with his dark mind and twisted soul.

  “Looks like I need to remind you who you belong to. Isn’t that right?”

  I remain motionless, excitement and thrill filling me to the core.

  His free hand caresses my bottom lip. “Answer me.”

  “Yes.”

  And then his lips claim mine.

  Epilogue - Aiden

  Three months later

  * * *

  Negative energy hums under the surface. It mounts and soars with every second. The loud music and drunk people at Astor’s place aren’t helping.

  Knight passes me a joint, but I shake my head.

  Fuck this shit.

  I’m pissed off.

  And I know exactly why I’m pissed off.

  Tonight was a semi-final game and Elsa came to watch and stayed through the entire thing. Yes, she finally came to one of my games. This time, it was for me and not for some other fucker.

  To top it off, she wore my T-shirt. Number eleven, King. I had to stop myself from flying off to the stairs, remove that shirt and fuck her on the spot.

  All the annoying people present put a halt to my fantasy.

  Instead, I gave it my all during the game. I might have scored two goals to see that spark in her blue eyes.

  Unlike common belief, I’m a giver. I just take more than I give.

  Now, back to
tonight’s actual problem. Elsa and I were supposed to go to the Meet Up where I could worship her body all night.

  I had plans that started with her moaning and end with her screaming my name.

  See? A giver.

  Last minute, Elsa decided she wants to come to Astor’s fucking party. I told him to cancel it, but the twat disappeared somewhere to drink and fuck — probably at the same time.

  I’m stuck here with a grumpy Knight who’s been smoking more weed than a hippie and groaning like a divorced old man thinking about pensions.

  Nash vanished. He’s been disappearing without notice a lot lately.

  Elsa is nowhere to be seen.

  I pull my phone and read our last conversation.

  Elsa: Wait for me at Ronan’s party.

  Aiden: No.

  Elsa: Come on. Do it for me?

  Aiden: Still a no.

  Elsa: Please?

  Aiden: I’m fucking you all the way to Sunday at the Meet up. You don’t get to change your mind.

  Elsa: I didn’t change my mind. You get to fuck me all the way to Sunday and more if you wait at Ronan’s house.

  That’s the text that convinced me.

  I shouldn’t blame Nash for thinking with his dick when I do the same sometimes.

  Okay, most of the time.

  Elsa sent that text more than an hour ago, but she’s still not here.

  Van Doren is in the middle of the floor, dancing and flirting with all the girls he can see.

  His goth sister is tucked in the corner, almost blending with a plant. If the Marquis de Sade and Snow White had a spawn, it’d be her.

  Usually, Elsa would be with them. If she’s not, only one other person remains.

  I nudge Knight with my elbow. “Where’s Reed?”

  “Fuck if I care.”

  “I didn’t ask if you cared, I asked where she is.” I hold up a hand. “And don’t even pretend that you don’t know where she is at all times.”

  He gives me one look over. “Even if I knew I wouldn’t tell you. How about that, King?”

  The little bitch.

  I’m about to strangle the answer out of him when my phone vibrates.

  Elsa: Remember our room in Ronan’s place?

  I don’t even have to think about which room she’s referring to. There’s only one room in Astor’s mansion that’s completely ours.