Ruthless Empire (Royal Elite #6) by Rina Kent

Despite my tries not to be affected, tremors erupt on my skin at his softly-spoken words.

I know, without doubt, he’ll make good on his promise, and while my shoulder blades are pulling together with ominous feelings, I won’t give in.

I turn around and go to my car.





It doesn’t take me long to arrive at Aiden’s house.

It’s raining heavily by the time I park beside his Ferrari right after he comes out of it. I don’t bother with an umbrella as I block his way to the entrance.

The King mansion has always felt a bit gothic. It could be because of the sad angel statues pouring water in the fountain. They gave me weird sensations when I was a child.

Ronan, Xander, and Cole pass us on their way inside.

The latter doesn’t even spare me a glance. He already issued his threat. Now he’ll wait to see how I act before he reacts.

He’s so calculating, it drives me freaking insane.

Aiden tries to push me towards him again, but Cole tells him to clean up his own mess, then follows Ronan and Xander into the house.

“In case you didn’t realise, this is called stalking.” Aiden places a hand in his wet trousers’ pocket.

“As if you’d know anything about stalking.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

I curse myself for letting that slip in front of Aiden. Here’s to hoping he says nothing to Cole, because I really have no state of mind to deal with all of this nonsense right now.

Folding my arms over my chest, I pin him with a stare. “I wasn’t done talking in the car park.”

“Well, I was.” He turns to leave.

“I’ll tell Elsa the baby is yours.”

Aiden stops and whirls around, his left eye twitching.

I’ve got him.

That’s the only reaction Aiden hasn’t been able to school over the years. It means he’s pissed off and will be out to destroy lives.

A risk I’m willing to take.

“It’s not,” he says.

“She doesn’t know that.”

“The DNA test will prove it isn’t.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

“You really believe someone like Elsa will wait until the DNA test comes out? She doesn’t trust you as it is and will leave you in a heartbeat the moment I plant the idea that you’re my baby’s father in her head.”

Silence.

I’ve got him again. Someone like Aiden, who’s never allowed himself a weakness, now has one.

It’s not like I’ll hurt him in any way. He has the complete ability to help me, but because he’s a psycho, he won’t do it unless I have something that benefits him. Or, in this case, doesn’t ruin him.

“What the fuck do you want?” he asks.

“Don’t break it off with me, and if any of this gets out, you’ll announce you’re the father.”

“That would be a no. I’m not taking responsibility for Nash’s bastard.”

“Hey! Say that again and I’ll kill you.”

“Sorry, Mama Bear,” he mocks. “But that negates the whole point of this deal. Remember Elsa?”

“I’m saying, just in case. I’ll find a solution.”

He tilts his head. “I can search for underground clinics and poof. Gone. No one will know the future prime minister’s daughter aborted.”

I place a protective hand over my stomach, my lips trembling.

That…that would make me a killer.

“We’ll go with my plan.” I stand my ground.

“I’ll only agree to not breaking the engagement off. For now. Everything else is a no.”

“Aiden!”

“Silver.” He smiles.

“I’ll tell Elsa.”

“And leave yourself with no options?”

“If I’m going down, I’m taking you with me.”

“If you speak to Elsa, I’ll speak to Nash. Believe me, you can’t win against me on this. Ruin me and I’ll ruin you back.”

“Remember our deal back then?”

“What deal?”

“You said you’d fix it.” I stomp. “You promised, King.”

“I promised you fuck all.”

“But you said —”

“I said nothing. You assumed everything yourself. The game was fun while it lasted, but I’m not playing anymore.”

“You’re not playing?” I huff. “So when it’s to your benefit, you’re all in, but when it’s not, you just drop out?”

“Exactly. Smarten up, Queens. All of what you’re doing is a temporary solution.”

“That’s none of your fucking business.” I grind my teeth. “I knew you’d change your mind because of that little bitch.”

He pushes into me and I step back so I’m glued against my car. “Watch it. If you call her that one more time, I won’t let you be, Queens.”

“You can’t do fuck to me, King. You know why? Because Uncle Jonathan is on my side.”

His left eye twitches again.

Aiden will help me. I don’t care what I have to do so that he’ll cover this up for me, but he will.

I can’t ruin my parents’ careers. But the thought of killing my own flesh and blood makes me want to vomit my guts out.