Cruel King (Royal Elite #0) by Rina Kent

Someone like Levi King doesn’t save others. He only gives them the illusion and makes them believe they’re out of danger. When they fall for the trick, he pushes them off the cliff all over again.

A king doesn’t sacrifice himself. The poor pawns do.

I might have retreated, but I will not be a pawn.

Eyes snapping open, I push him and all the devilish things he’s inciting in my body away, and jump to my feet.

He chuckles as if I just told him the funniest joke.

“I’m warning you. Stay the hell away from me, Levi,” I growl.

All humour disappears from his face as he slowly rises to his feet. “I told you, I don’t listen well to warnings, princess.”

“Something is so wrong with you.”

He reaches out a forefinger and taps my nose twice. “Guess you have to fight me and find out what that something is.”

I jerk away from him, but that only makes him smirk in that infuriating, provoking way.

“That won’t happen.”

“Won’t happen, huh? Do you want a bet?”

“Screw you, Levi.” I fold my arms over my chest.

“I’d be happy to if you stop running away like a coward.” With one last tilt of his head, he saunters out of the door like it’s his damn house.

Blood wooshes in my veins as I flop down on the chair.

I will not be provoked by him. I will not be provoked by him...

Too late.

I’m totally murdering Dan for this. He’ll be my scapegoat.

With one last exasperated breath, I snatch my sketchpad. I’m so going to rip the drawing I made for him to pieces.

My mouth hangs open.

Levi’s sketch is gone.





16





Levi





There’s no place for a princess on the chessboard, but she barges in anyway.



* * *



After the discussion of tomorrow’s formation, Coach leaves us to shower and head home. It’s the first game of the season and team spirit is at its highest.

You have to be blind to not notice that Aiden, Xander, Cole, and Ronan brought a new spirit to the team. Even I can’t deny that their connected team play improved our middle and front lines. It’s rare to find second years as starters, but the four of them have proved themselves indispensable to the team.

Once we’re gone, they’ll have a stellar senior year ahead. If we win this year’s championship, there’s a high chance they’ll repeat it next year, too.

For the first time in RES’s history.

If anyone can pull it off, then it’s Aiden. The guy has no relationship with failure.

The team members slap each other on the back on their way to the showers, joking and talking about pussy and partying.

I don’t feel it.

Any of it.

It’s like I’m caught in a vicious, black cycle of my own making that I can’t penetrate.

Coach pulled me aside yesterday to inform me that Premier League scouts will show up during this season. He believes I can make it to one of the big ones, but even Coach said the dreadful, ‘If your family is good with it’ line.

Uncle made it blunt and clear that there will be no professional football playing, and even if I do get recruited by one of the Premier League’s titans, Uncle has the power to blacklist me from any team that matters.

When you have King Entreprises at the palm of your hands, anything can be done with a push of a button.

My long, distant football dream isn’t the only thing that’s fucking up my mood.

I’m thinking too much, calculating too much, and partying too much. I’m not getting enough sleep. Sometimes, I wake up just to find out I’m still dreaming.

All of that is terrifyingly similar to a certain someone who shall not be named.

I take a quick shower, indulging some of the guys. Once we’re out and changing our clothes, Ronan says, “Party at my place?”

“No.” I scold. “Game night, no partying.”

“Naw, come one, Captain.” Ronan throws a punch in the air. “We can kill them Newcastle losers even when we’re drunk.”

The others yell and shout, pumping their chests.

“No partying and no getting drunk on game night,” I say in a deadly tone, making them all grow silent. “Do I have to repeat myself?”

“No, Captain.” A few of the juniors answer and the others nod.

“Guess I have to settle with one pussy. Merde!” Ronan rolls his eyes. “The sacrifices I have to make for the team.”

“How is that a sacrifice?” Cole asks.

“Cole, mate, when I throw a party, I get at least two pussies and a blowjob as a thank you. Now, I’m stuck with only Chloe.”

“You’re tapping that now?” Xander unwraps his towel and shoves his feet into his boxer briefs. “I thought she had eyes for Captain.”

“He threw her off his lap last week like a bad habit.” Ronan frowns. “I don’t know why girls think I’m cool with sloppy seconds.”

“Because you are?” Cole asks.

“You fuck anything with a skirt?” Xander chimes in.

“That’s not true!” Ronan protests.

“Mate,” Xander flings an arm over his shoulder. “How many times did you go to console a girl after she’s been rejected just to end up between her legs?”