Cruel Kings by Skye Knight

3

Camilla

Noah, Caleb, and I stood around the cot where Corey was lying. Two hours passed since we brought him here. He was finally conscious and grinning cheekily at his brothers.

“Stop worrying us like that, asshole,” Caleb shouted, slapping his twin hard on the back.

“Oww!” Corey cried out, cringing away from his angry brother.

“Don’t hit him, Caleb,” said Noah. “The doctor said he’s suffering from a mild concussion.” The command in his voice was enough to make Caleb stop, but he continued to glare at Corey.

Corey’s grin faltered as Noah turned his intense gaze on him.

“What happened?” Noah asked in a grim tone. “Did something go wrong with the bike?”

A grim expression came over Corey’s handsome face. His gaze shifted toward me before settling on Noah.

“There was something wrong with the brake and clutch,” Corey explained. “No matter what I did, the bike wouldn’t slow down or stop. I was lucky to be driving that late with no one around or I could’ve killed someone.”

Corey suddenly squeezed his eyes shut and grabbed the side of his head, looking like he was in terrible pain. Even though the doctor said he suffered a mild concussion, the effects would continue to affect him for at least a week.

“A cat came in front of my bike,” Corey continued after a while. His fingers raked through the thick waves of his dark hair. “I tried to avoid it and swerved. Ended up hitting a tree by the sidewalk and crashed.”

“Thank fuck,” Noah muttered. “I’m glad you didn’t kill anyone on the street.” His gaze shifted toward me for a moment.

Corey gave a grim nod. I knew what they were thinking. They were glad he didn’t end up crashing into me.

“You got your brakes changed at Bobby’s garage,” said Caleb, staring at his twin closely. I looked toward him, awe-struck with how closely he resembled Corey.

“But that was a week ago,” said Corey with a confused look. “I’d have known if something was wrong by now.”

Caleb shook his head. “New brakes don’t stop working out of the blue. There’s a rat in Bobby’s garage that’s done this. Whoever did this is clever. They wanted you to feel at ease before messing around.”

“Caleb.” Noah’s voice was low but it held an edge of warning to it.

My eyes shamelessly watched the bob in Caleb’s throat as he swallowed hard, doing his best to control his anger.

“Chill, bro,” said Corey, hitting Caleb in the stomach with a pillow. “I’m alive.” He thrust his chest out and patted it like a gorilla.

Caleb took the pillow and threw it over his twin’s face, forcing him down on the bed and smothering him with it.

I was left feeling torn between laughter and worry as they clawed at each other and shouted curses.

Noah ignored them both and turned toward me. “Corey’s going to be okay,” he said, looking relieved for the first time since we met that night. “Thanks for protecting him. It would have been so much worse if the bike exploded with him stuck underneath it.”

“You pulled me out?” Corey asked, pushing Caleb away. His dark hair fell into his green eyes as he stared at me closely.

Caleb turned his attention on me too.

I squirmed, feeling the weight of their gazes on me.

“I had to help out,” I said, feeling a blush rising in my cheeks. “You weren’t moving and I was worried. There was no one else around, so I pulled you away from the bike.” A heavy breath escaped me. “I’m glad I did. There was no way to know the bike would catch fire and explode like that.”

“You called my brothers too?” Corey asked.

I gave a nod. “That’s what you wanted.”

A long breath whooshed out of him as he fell against his pillow. Glancing toward Noah, he asked, “Does Dad know?”

“No,” said Noah.

“Good,” said Corey. All humor vanished from his face. “There’s no need for him to know.”

Their faces darkened in sync.

“Err...I think it’s time for me to leave,” I said when heavy silence fell over the brothers. “Hope you get well soon,” I added, smiling at Corey.

Turning around, I walked toward the door.

“Wait, Milla,” Noah’s voice called me from behind.

“Yeah?” I asked, turning around to face him.

“It’s late,” he said in a grim tone. “It’s not safe to walk around by yourself. Caleb will drop you home.”

Before I could refuse, Caleb walked up to me.

“Let me take that,” said Caleb, taking my backpack from my hands and slinging it over one massive shoulder. His luscious lips curved in a disarming smile and I felt all rational thought fly out of my head.

A soft chuckle escaped him as a knowing look descended into his emerald-green eyes. Bending down so he was at the same eye-level as me, he whispered. “You’re cute.”

My cheeks warmed at once.

He chuckled again, straightened up, and walked toward the door.

I blinked, realizing he was already walking out into the corridor. Turning around, I said a hasty goodbye to Noah and Corey, and followed Caleb.

I ran, catching up with Caleb halfway down the hallway.

He glanced down at me, grinning. “Thanks for what you did,” he said. “My brother owes his life to you.”

“No problem,” I said at once. “Anyone else would’ve done the same.”

He scoffed. “Most people would’ve ignored him to avoid any hassle.”

I looked up at him, taking in the serious expression that hardened his handsome features.

The Amherst brothers were rumored to be ruthless. Anyone who messed with them ended up hurt or worse, expelled from the university. They were the leaders of the Elite group, an almost mob-like fraternity that ruled the campus.

I wondered if most of the things people gossiped about were true at all.

The Amherst brothers were drop-dead gorgeous men that sent any girl’s heart racing and pounding, but they seemed kind too. The past few hours I spent with them were enough to prove the rumors wrong.

“What would you like?” Caleb asked.

I was so lost in my thoughts, I bumped against his back.

“Sorry,” I blurted, rubbing my forehead. Looking up, I realized he’d led me into the hospital’s cafeteria.

Stepping close, he playfully knocked on my head. “Hey, sleepy head,” he said with a charming smile that made my heart pound against my chest. “Want to carry you to bed?” His gleaming emerald eyes told me he wasn’t kidding.

Gulping hard, I managed to move my lips. “I’m craving a hot chocolate,” I said, answering his previous question.

Caleb glanced toward the man at the counter. “A hot chocolate for the lady and a triple shot expresso for me.”

Surprise flitted through me. “A triple shot? This late at night?” Realizing it wasn’t any of my business what he drank, I back-tracked awkwardly. “Sorry,” I said quickly. “You must want to stay awake to be with your brother.”

His expression darkened. “I have something else to deal with.” His gaze fell on me and some of the dark aura clinging to him lightened. Reaching out, he caressed the side of my face. “I’ll be driving you home. Best not end up like Corey.”

“I’m sorry about the trouble.”

An amused look came over him and his green eyes twinkled. “Trouble? You?” Uncontrollable chuckles escaped him. He found my comment so funny, he placed a hand on my shoulder for support while he laughed.

I couldn’t help but grin too.

“Stop apologizing, Milla,” he said in a suddenly serious tone. “You saved my brother today. He’s lucky to have escaped with a mild concussion.” All his humor vanished. “We owe you more than a ride home.”

An unfamiliar warmth surged through me, making me smile. “I’m glad Corey isn’t hurt badly.”

“All thanks to you,” he said in a grim tone. “Otherwise, he’d be a fried piece of shit like his bike by now.”

My hand automatically reached out to gently squeeze his arm. “Don’t think about that anymore. Corey’s fine. That’s all that matters.”

His green eyes stared into mine. “Guess you’re right,” he finally said and heaved a long sigh.

I gave a nod and suddenly realized I was still touching him. He didn’t seem to mind, turning toward the counter to grab our drinks. His movements made his muscles flex underneath my fingers.

He’s so hard, I found myself thinking.

“Here, you go,” said Caleb, handing me a foam cup.

My hand slipped away to grab the drink. “Thanks.”

He gestured toward the nearly empty cafeteria room and walked toward a nearby table. Sitting down, he beckoned me to join him.

He’s as nice as Noah, I thought, sitting down opposite to him.

Over the past four years, I didn’t even dare look their way. They were always in the thick of social battles. They were ill-famed for being playboys but girls still prided themselves for getting a spot in their beds.

A nobody like me had a better chance of spotting a flying pig than attracting their attention.

Being a meek scholarship student, whose sole purpose of living was to afford college, I made sure never to step in the crossfires between the Amhurst brothers and their enemies. Staying invisible kept me out of trouble throughout the four years.

The hot chocolate was kind of watery but helped warm me up. Sitting under the bright lights of the hospital cafeteria with Caleb almost felt surreal. I could almost imagine we were on a date.

My cheeks warmed at the thought of running my hands over those perfectly shaped chest muscles visible underneath his tight black t-shirt.

“What’s that smile for?” he asked, breaking me out of my fantasy.

“Nothing,” I said too quickly.

He gave me a knowing grin and chuckled.

A sliver of disappointment went through me when our drinks were finished and Caleb was getting to his feet. Part of me wished I could spend a little more time with him.

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s get you home.”

Sighing internally, I picked up my backpack and walked behind him. He led me through the hallways until we reached the exit doors directing us to the parking lot at the back of the building.

Caleb walked toward the lone bike parked among the cars. A moment later, he unhooked a helmet and handed it to me.

Suddenly, a new kind of panic flared inside me. I’d never been on a motorcycle before.

“Need help?” he asked, taking the helmet out of my hands.

Before I could say anything, he placed the big, heavy helmet on my head and deftly hooked the strap under my chin. A soft smile lit up his handsome features as he stared down at me.

“Caleb?” I whispered.

“Hmm?”

“I have never been on one of these things before,” I said in a low voice.

He sniggered and gently knocked the top of the helmet. Bending down so his eyes were at my level, he whispered, “There’s just one thing you’ve got to do.”

“Really? What?”

“Wrap your thighs around my waist and hold me tight.” He winked, straightened up, and walked up to his bike. “Come on.”

He mounted the bike, his long legs easily going over the side of the machine as he seated himself and arranged my backpack at his side. I followed after him, awkwardly trying to climb behind him. After a bit of struggle, I got on.

“Hold onto me tightly,” Caleb instructed, catching hold of my wrists and pulling on them so that my arms were wound around his waist. “Don’t let go,” he reminded me as I laced my fingers together, tightening my hold over him.

“Don’t worry,” I said in a low, grim tone. “I’m latching onto you like the clingiest octopus you’ll ever see.”

“What? An octopus?” His deep-throated chuckle reverberated through me as I held onto him. “All right, then. Hold on tight.” He stepped on the gas, making the bike vibrate hard. My thighs squeezed against his as I held him with all my might.

“Here we go!” With that, the bike shot forward, the revving sound of the powerful engine roaring in my ears. My shriek of half terror and half thrill joined the noise as we crossed the vast, sprawling grounds of the hospital yard in a matter of seconds.

Caleb slowed down as we neared the main gates leading out of the hospital but once we crossed it, he increased the pace, making us go shooting down an empty street.

The strands of my dark auburn hair streamed out behind me as the wind rushed past me. I could feel the power of the engine vibrating under my thighs as we moved at heart-pounding speed. All my inhibitions fell behind as I began enjoying the ride. It was amazingly freeing to have the wind roaring in my ears as we passed through the deserted streets.

Caleb was an expert rider. He maneuvered the bike with precise smoothness, weaving through the few cars on the road so we could pass them by.

Soon, we reached the dilapidated building that housed my apartment. Caleb brought the bike to a halt.

My hair settled around my shoulders. With the glass visor pulled down over my face, the sharp, cold wind hadn’t affected my face or eyes.

My arms felt stiff from holding onto him. Loosening my grip, I climbed off the bike just as awkwardly as I’d gotten onto it, feeling the stiffness in my thighs as well.

Caleb dismounted gracefully, looking even more handsome with his wind-swept dark strands falling over his eyes.

I struggled with the strap of the helmet until he came to me and easily unhooked it, taking the helmet away from my head.

“Are you okay?” he asked, looking at me closely.

“Yeah,” I said. Taking in a deep breath, I looked toward the apartment building. “I’m home.”

“Great,” he said, placing the helmet back on his head. “It’s late, so don’t hang around by yourself. Get home and sleep. And yeah, thanks again for looking out for my brother tonight.”

“It’s nothing, really,” I said at once. “Is it okay if I visited him tomorrow?”

He smiled. “Of course,” he said. “You don’t need my permission to visit him.”

I gave a nod, grinning like an idiot while he got back on his bike.

“See ya!” he said with a wave and shot down the street, disappearing around a bend in the blink of an eye.

I stood at the threshold of the building’s gate for a long time, my heart still pounding from the thrill of the ride and Caleb’s company.