Ruthless Empire (Royal Elite #6) by Rina Kent

I pick up my pace and the tap-taps do too.

Shit.

A hand grips my shoulder. “Hey, Silver.”

I gasp as I whirl around so fast, I nearly fall. That’s when I come face-to-face with Adam. He stands with a hand in the pocket of his uniform trousers as he holds out something for me.

The nightmare hits me across the face again. Blood. A black hand. A —

“You dropped this.” He gives me my pen that I don’t remember dropping. I actually remember losing it a few days ago. I’m too detail-oriented, so I notice when I lose things.

“Thank you, Adam.” I smile, taking the pen instead of calling him out on it.

If I want to escape him and his clutches, I need to pretend I don’t suspect him at all.

“You know my name.” He grins in a welcoming way.

Adam’s grandfather from his mother’s side holds a baron title and his father is an influential figure in Papa’s party. He’s not bad looks-wise. He has a buff physique, fit for playing rugby. His face is handsome too. His eyes, though, are usually bloodshot and he always appears as if he wants to ruin someone’s life.

Last year, he made a fake confession to Kim, and when she showed up, he poured a bucket of paint on her head, then mocked her, saying, “Do you really think someone would love a fat pig like you?”

Although I make it my mission to stay away from Kim, I went to the principal about it. Adam crossed an unforgiveable line.

I should’ve suspected him after that.

“Of course I do.” I offer him the impersonal smile I save for reporters. “We’ve studied together since Royal Elite Junior.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t know you noticed me.”

“I notice everyone, Adam. Listen, I have to go. Best of luck with your game.”

I’m about to leave when he places a hand on my arm. I freeze, my heartbeat escalating in my chest. “Is something wrong?”

His face turns blank, and with his bloodshot eyes, he appears like a demon rising from the earth. “He doesn’t deserve you.”

He smiles, and I automatically smile back, even though red alarms are blaring loud in my head.

I need to get out of here.

Now.

Trying to maintain my cool expression, I start to pull my arm away.

He squeezes it once before letting me go. “See you around, Silver.”

As he turns and leaves, I jog the fastest I can to my car without actually sprinting.

Something tells me I just opened Pandora’s box and I’ll never be able to close it again.

The feeling doesn’t go away, not even after I throw the pen out the window as soon as I’m out of the car park.





Thankfully, I do catch up to Cole. He got on the motorway.

I feel like a stalker as I make sure to keep two cars between his Jeep and my Audi.

He’s hiding something. I just know it.

What if he’s out to ruin the family image? What if he’s going out to meet some girl and then he’ll bind her and do what he did to me the other time?

I shake my head and continue my super silent, super professional stalking.

It only becomes a problem when he leaves the motorway and starts taking secondary routes. I can’t keep up without being noticed and there aren’t as many cars that I can hide behind.

So I wait until he takes a turn before I follow. I’m starting to feel like Sherlock — or rather, a loser policeman at a stake-out.

I slow the car as much as possible while I make the turn. I hit the brakes and reverse back. Cole stopped in what seems like a back street. There are several German and expensive cars lined up along what appears like the rear entrance to a club — or a morgue.

There isn’t even a name or an indication of what goes on in here.

Could it be some underground gambling ring? I know Xander fights in underground places with gangs and stuff. I heard him talk about it to Ronan the other time, but neither of them mentioned Cole.

Besides, violence and gambling always felt beneath him.

I park my car at the adjoining street and stay in there for a few seconds, contemplating my next move. What if the people inside are dangerous? Should I have a backup plan?

Yes, of course I should.

I pull out my phone and text Derek.

Silver: If I don’t text you in half an hour, trail me to my phone’s GPS.

His reply is immediate.

Derek: Yes, Miss.

Silver: And please don’t tell Papa or Frederic.

Derek: Yes, Miss.

That’s what I love the most about Derek. He doesn’t ask questions. He just makes things happen.

Like a miracle.

Taking a deep breath, I exit my Audi and beep it locked. I turn around to pull on the handle. Mum taught me to always make sure the car is actually locked and not trust the beeping sound.

A hand wraps around my mouth from behind and I scream, but the sound is muffled as a strong body slams me against my car.





24





Silver





My fight mood rushes forward and I’m about to kick him, bite him, stomp on his foot, and punch him in the crotch.

But then, something happens.

His warmth.

His damn warmth mixed with cinnamon and lime.

“What did I say about giving me your back?” Cole whispers against the shell of my ear.

I release a long breath and then realise I did it against his hand. I push him away, turning around to face him.