Deviant King (Royal Elite #1) by Rina Kent

Speaking of which, while I walk to the car park, I retrieve my phone and open our chat room. I shoot them a message that I’m not heading straight home.

Aunt’s reply is immediate.

Aunt B: Where to?

Elsa: Out with Kim.

I bite my lower lip. After the tension this morning, I would rather lie to her about Aiden.

At least until I figure out where we stand.

Uncle J: Have fun, pumpkin.

Aunt B: Promise you won’t eat any junk food.

Elsa: Promise.

I shoot a message to Kim that I’m catching a ride with Aiden.

Kim: Ehhh with King? Weren’t you guys fighting this morning? Isn’t the bitch queen his date for the day?

Elsa: Long story.

Kim: Face time later. I need details!

Elsa: Kay.

Kim: And this better not be a rip off from a Korean drama where the BFF is always in the dark.

I send her a laughing emoji and promise to talk to her later.

Once I’m outside, the humid air cools the skin of my face. I spot Aiden waiting by his car. His uniform is dishevelled at best like he wore it in a hurry and he’s fussing with his shoelace.

That strange awareness starts a war, slashing and clawing at my abdomen as I walk towards him. My steps are fast and silent as if I’m floating through the air.

This pull is terrifying.

He’s terrifying.

Still, there’s no fighting how much I want him close. Now, I know how moth feel when they fly to flames. The flames are worth the burn.

I stumble to a halt a small distance away and stifle a gasp with the back of my hands.

As he ties his shoelace, his uniform’s trousers’ rides up, revealing his skin. A deep circular scar surrounds his right ankle. It seems as old and as faded as the scars on his back and the underside of his forearm.

What on earth happened to him?

Something light hits my shoulder. I jump up with a small yelp.

Cole comes into view. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“No. I’m fine.” I look around him to Aiden who’s already straightened up and is heading in our direction.

Cole opens the outer pocket of my backpack and slips Jean-Paul Sartre’s Nausea. “You forgot this.”

I smile. “Didn’t anyone tell you that you shouldn’t open a girl’s bag?”

His lips twitch. “I’ll remember that next time.”

“There’ll be no next time.” Aiden stands beside me, surrounds my waist with a strong hand and pulls me into the curve of his body.

“That depends on how you act from now on, King.” Cole sounds half teasing, half-serious before he gives me a knowing look.

“I agree with that,” I say.

“Tell me, Nash. Do you want your grave next to Knight’s or Astor’s?” Aiden’s face is dead serious as he speaks.

“I prefer to not have a grave yet.” Cole smiles at me.

“Then stop threatening what’s mine.”

“I will when you do.”

My gaze bounces between Aiden and Cole. Unlike the war of gazes he’s had with Xander the other time, Cole appears completely nonchalant. However, I can sense the tension in the air. It’s like a cool sheen over my skin, threatening to explode any second.

This is odd. Aiden and Cole don’t strike me as the fighting type. They have the most laid back relationship in the group.

Movement catches my attention. Silver stomps in our direction, her cheeks red and nostrils flaring.

I sigh. She’ll ruin my mood if I face her.

“Take care of her,” Aiden tells Cole in a calm tone as if they’ve dealt with this before.

“On it.” Cole’s cool expression disappears. His features tighten as he goes to intercept Silver.

I don’t get to watch what’s happening since Aiden guides me to the passenger seat of his car. I don’t hear Silver and Cole, but I see her screaming at him. She doesn’t spare Aiden a glance. Instead, she cuts me a glare before she starts pushing at Cole’s chest.

He keeps her at arm’s length, his expression still as tight as earlier. Silver continues struggling against him.

Cole leans in and says something in her ear. Just like that, Silver goes limp against him, eyes widened. He takes the chance to drag her out of the car park. Or maybe he’s taking her to his or her car. I can’t tell for sure since they’re out of my field of vision.

“What was that all about?” I ask Aiden once he’s seated in the driver’s seat.

“Nothing important.”

“Do you always have Cole take care of your girl problems?”

He gives me an ‘are you serious’ look. “No one can make Nash do anything he doesn’t want to do.”

“Not even you?”

“Not even me.” He pauses. “Besides, Silver is his step-sister. He knows how to deal with her best.”

“His… what?”

“His mother and her father are getting married.”

Woah. I must be really out of it when it comes to school news. I knew Silver’s parents were divorced, but I didn’t know she was going to be Cole’s step-sister. They have completely different personalities. I wonder how that will go.

The engine revs to life, and I clench my thighs at the vibrations. It’s such a strange, thrilling sensation.

Aiden’s lips pull in a mischievous grin. “You like that, don’t you?”