Royal Elite Epilogue (Royal Elite #7) by Rina Kent

“I do now.” Deep green eyes fill with mischief as he waves his access card. “I had to be where all the cool kids go. Isn’t that right, Pres?”

Our debate club president, Oliver, nods at the American’s charming grin.

I roll my eyes. The only reason he joined is to challenge Aiden and Cole. I swear they attract lunatics like this American as if they were magnets.

Even Aiden didn’t join the club out of goodwill. I joined first and he just slid in because ‘he was interested’.

Interested, my arse. More like he wants to be here to shoo the flies away, as he calls them.

Aiden’s possessiveness knows no limits. He doesn’t like how close I am to the other club members, so he barged in to make their lives hell. He can be so frustratingly argumentative when he chooses to.

“Good of you to join us, Ash.” Aiden grins as sadism sparks in his eyes. “Now look away from my wife before I create a diplomatic problem between England and the US.”

The all-American golden boy bursts into laughter, raising his hands. “All right, all right. You have it bad, dude.”

Aiden wraps his hand around mine, interlacing our fingers as if to prove a point.

Our rings are above each other’s. Something Aiden likes to do a lot.

We’ve been married for two years, and he’s been publicising it everywhere. Whenever someone stares in my direction, he nearly blinds them with the huge diamond ring he got for me.

It’s not something I would wear, but I accepted it nonetheless. This ring was Alicia’s, and I understand its emotional value for Aiden.

I soon found out he’s also using it to mark his territory at every opportunity.

The press is the only medium he didn’t use for publicity, but he didn’t need to.

Our wedding, although exclusive to family and friends, made the headlines.

The King and Steel marriage was written about over and over in business columns and newspapers.

It’s the start of a new era for both companies. While Dad and Jonathan aren’t the best of friends, they learned to work together.

I still can’t trust Agnus completely. He really is a psychopath and I’m always wary of him. However, Dad trusts him even though he seems to know of his exact nature.

Agnus plays a huge part in Dad and Jonathan’s partnership. He’s become a pillar of strength for our families, and I can’t hate him for that.

Even Aunt and Uncle’s company, Quinn Engineering, has been thriving since the partnership between King Enterprise and Steel Corporation.

Aunt was a little sad when I chose Oxford over Cambridge, but she quickly got over it.

“Do you have anything to add to the discussion, Ash?” Aiden asks his American friend.

All the team members focus on the latter.

Some girls blush. Others stare up at him with dreamy eyes.

If only they knew what lurks under the beautiful façade.

He’s just like Aiden. If not a little more unhinged. I still have no idea why he left his prestigious college back in the States to join us here.

“Yes, actually.” He flops into a chair, his arms hanging off the edge. “See, Aiden. I don’t have to prove it to you because we’re not under legal obligation. I can choose to prove it, but it’s only voluntary.”

“When does voluntary end and the obligation start?” Aiden shoots back.

They go on and on. The audience are watching two titans clash with gaped mouths. Even the president doesn’t dare to say anything.

Me, on the other hand? I’m done watching two sociopaths trying to outsmart one another.

As Asher goes on and on about legal texts and whatnot, I squeeze Aiden’s hand and whisper, “I’m tired. Let’s go home.”

He doesn’t even stop to consider it.

Still clutching my hand, he stands, taking me up with him and effectively cutting off Asher. “My wife needs to rest.”

“Loser,” Asher mutters.

Aiden smirks. “I’m taking a rain check.”

“I’ll be here,” Asher calls to our backs as we head to the door. “Now, where was I?”

He launches into a long, one-sided argument.

“Why are you even friends with him?” I ask as soon as we’re alone.

“Because he’s fun, sweetheart. We need fun people who aren’t politically correct.”

“You mean sociopaths.”

“Every society needs old-fashioned villains.” He grins down at me, then his brows crease. “Why are you tired?”

“I’m—”

Before I can say anything, he slams his palm on the middle of my chest.

“Aiden!” I watch our surroundings. I know he’s just checking my heartbeat — like he does every day. Actually, he sometimes sleeps with his head on my heart to make sure it’s working properly.

“I told you to check my wrist pulse when we’re in public,” I whisper. “People are watching.”

“Fuck people. I’ll check my wife’s pulse any way I like.” He removes his hand and places two fingers on my neck. “Hmm. Your pulse is fine.”

“It is,” I say as we step into the cold air.

“Then what is it? Do you feel chest tightness?”

“No.”

“Palpitations?”

I shake my head.