Cruel King (Royal Elite #0) by Rina Kent

“But, honey. I’m doing this for us. For your future. You will be a Clifford soon.”

“I don’t want to be a Clifford. I love Dad’s name just fine.”

“What are you talking about? That’s what we worked for.”

“That’s what you worked for. I only wanted to be free of all these shackles and protocols and wearing masks.” She hiccoughs. “I only put up with this life for you, Mother.”

“But… how about your future and the doors the family name will open for you?” She pauses. “We’ll talk about this later after I finish this.”

Dan nudges Nicole, and she winces before stepping forward.

“Mother, please.” She reaches a shaky hand towards her mother. “Uncle Henry always gave us everything we wanted, you can’t hurt him.”

“I won’t hurt him. It’s his daughter that I’ll kill.”

“Stop!” She shrieks. “Just stop it, Mother. I already lost my father, I can’t lose you, too.”

Victoria lowers her gun, tears shining in her eyes. “I… I did all of it for you, darling. I did everything so you can have a better life.”

“I know.” Nicole cries, pulling her mother into a hug. “I know.”

I gasp as Levi steps forward and yanks the shotgun out of Victoria’s fingers.

For a second, I think it’ll go off and kill him or Victoria will put up a fight and shoot him.

I only breathe in relief when it remains inert in his hold.

Dad pulls me to his side, his arms clasped tightly around my back in a protective hold.

I hug him back even though a part of me wants to run to Levi and kiss him.

Officers barge inside with the deputy commissioner on toll. One of the officers yanks Victoria’s arms behind her back and handcuffs her.

“Victoria Clifford, you’re under arrest for attempted murder on Jasmine Green and Astrid Clifford. You have the right to remain silent…”

As the officer reads Victoria’s rights, Nicole sobs begging them to let her go.

Even though I don’t feel the slightest sympathy for Victoria and I’m happy she’s finally getting what she deserves, I can’t help feeling bad for Nicole.

Life as she knows it is over now. She lost both her parents and there’s nothing she can do to stop it or turn back time.

Daniel clutches Nicole’s shoulder, yanking her back, when she keeps holding on to her mother. She tries to fight him, but Victoria shakes her head.

In full Victoria style, she stops crying and lifts her chin like the aristocrat she is.

Dad pats my hand and walks towards her. He nods at Dan to take Nicole away. Once my step-sister’s sobs disappear down the hall, Dad stares down at Victoria with the most furious expression I’ve ever seen on his face.

“You took a life from me and I promise that I’ll take yours back.” He speaks with pure contempt that causes my skin crawl. “I’ll make sure you rot in prison until the day you die.”

Her breathing hitches as she shakes her head.

Dad exchanges a look with the deputy commissioner before they all walk down the hall.

I go to follow them when Levi blocks my path, looking down at me with furrowed brows.

He must’ve gave the shotgun to one of the officers because his hands are empty. When he opens his arms, I want to dive into them so hard.

I want to cry into his embrace and tell him how much I love him.

But that would only be torture for the both of us.

Our fate was decided three years ago on a rainy night by a stray dog. Nothing short of a time travel machine would change the past.

Maybe then, Mum would be alive and married to Dad. Maybe then, Levi’s father would be alive, too.

Maybe there wouldn’t be a feud between Jonathan King and Lord Henry Clifford.

Maybe we would have met under different circumstances.

But there are no maybes in my life. There are no time travel machines either.

Truth is, we were over before we even started.

And that hurts.

“Astrid…” He trails off as if he can’t find the word. “I love you. I’m fucking crazy about you, princess.”

Tears barge into my eyes, but I push them back.

Be strong.

You have to be strong.

“And I love you, Levi,” I murmur the words as if I’m afraid of them.

I’m afraid that now they’re out there, I doomed myself to a harder fall.

He smiles as his lips capture mine.

It’s impossible to resist him. I can’t.

I’m crashing and burning, but I still enjoy every hit. Every lash. Every burn.

The kiss is filled with so much passion and unspoken words. It’s like he’s begging me to stay with him. To never leave him. And I’m tempted to do just that.

But I can’t.

I place both hands on his chest and push him away, shaking my head.

“No.”

“Why the fuck not?” He ruffles his hair, almost ripping it. “We love each other.”

“That’s never enough. It wasn’t for my parents and it’s certainly not enough now.”

“You said that you wouldn’t leave me no matter what. I told you not to say something you don’t fucking mean, but you still promised. You fucking promised, Astrid.”

I fist a handful of my hood where my heart lies. “It hurts, Levi. Seeing you hurts so much.”