Ruthless Empire (Royal Elite Book 6)

by Rina Kent

The last text he sent was on the day of the wedding.

  Unknown Number: You look beautiful today, like a rose finally deflowered. Happy eighteenth birthday. You’re a woman now.

  My grip tightens around the phone as my senses skyrocket to high alert.

  I stare at Silver’s sleeping form, at the way her fingers are gripping me close, almost as if she’s afraid the same nightmare from earlier will repeat.

  Her other hand clutches her butterfly necklace, the one I gave to her which she’s never removed.

  Silver has someone who’s obsessed with her, watches her, probably masturbates to her pictures in the darkness of his room.

  Someone who’s slowly but surely becoming threatening.

  And she’s hiding it from the world.

  Silver has someone who wants her chaos.

  Just like me.

  22

  Doll Master

  Do you ever get the feeling that you’re so close? That one step is all it’ll take for you to get it? That you’ve taken several steps, but the last one is the hardest?

  I do. All the time.

  However, it hasn’t been working out so well lately. Too many eyes. Too many people. Too much security.

  I need to get my doll out before it’s too late.

  I’ll protect her. I’ll bathe and wash her. I’ll feed her.

  And eventually, she’ll realise her fate has always been with me.

  She’s wasted her life enough on people who don’t deserve her. I do.

  In fact, I always have.

  I deserve her more than she deserves life.

  I have to act fast because the other one is picking up on what I’m trying to do.

  The plan is already in motion. I just need to get all the annoying things, called people, out of the way.

  No one gets between me and my doll.

  My art.

  My masterpiece.

  23

  Silver

  A week passes and Cole leaves me alone.

  Partially, at least. He still uses every chance to get on my nerves and make me lose at everything, even if it’s a debate I started.

  He never backs down. I swear he lives to see me suffer.

  However, he hasn’t tried to have sex with me since that time in the shower. He hasn’t even tried to tie me up like in Ronan’s house.

  Well, I have locked my room’s door every night, but I haven’t heard it being turned, which means he hasn’t tried. I mean, he’s the one who said he doesn’t like his bed and would prefer to use mine.

  Not that I’m disappointed or anything.

  I wasn’t even disappointed when I woke up that morning after I fell asleep in his arms and found myself alone in my bed.

  I wasn’t.

  The thing is, I never felt my bed was empty until he slept in it, dwarfing me in his hold, just to disappear as if it never happened.

  Why hug me to sleep if he planned to leave? Besides, how come I didn’t feel him leave? I was tangled all around him. I should’ve sensed it when he untangled himself from me.

  What would I have done if I had? It’s not like I would’ve told him something stupid like ‘stay’.

  So anyway, I’ve been at peace. Complete peace. I’ve visited Mum and we’ve had lunches. She still seems out of sorts, but she’s working and campaigning for the party. Mum does better when her head is occupied with work. Besides, she’s seeing a successful French businessman, Lucien, whom she introduced me to. He appears to be fun and has an older man charisma that might actually rival my father’s.

  Not in my eyes, obviously, but in hers. If she introduced him to me, he’s not going to be one of those guys she goes out with once and then ghosts.

  This means my parents will never get back together. Not that they had any chance when they were both single.

  Papa’s campaign has been doing fantastic. I love reading the comments on our social pictures and how most of the people respect him even if they don’t agree with him.

  There are often comments about how good-looking Cole is, and asking whether he’ll follow in his father’s or his stepfather’s footsteps. Business or politics. I want to reach out and poke their eyes out. I have comments that compliment me on my social media, but I have no idea why I become enraged when it’s about Cole.

  Fine, so I get worked up about everything to do with Cole. Believe me, I want to control it, to somehow get over it, but every time I lie in bed, my fingers find my pussy and I imagine him there lying beside me as I bring myself to orgasm. They never feel as intense as the ones he brings me and I always feel dirty afterwards, and yet, I repeat it every night.

  I need help.

  But I refuse to admit that out loud, so I focus my efforts on breaking Elsa and Aiden off.

  He’s starting to stray away from me and I don’t like it. I need a constant backup plan and Aiden is that plan for me.

  And okay, maybe I’ve been keeping an eye on Cole. Since his ‘I know it all’ speech from the other night, I’ve been discreet about how I act. I doubt he knows about the girls I told lies to about his dick or about how cold he is — they seem to dig the latter, so they keep coming back for more, and that’s when I have to threaten them.

  Sometimes, I feel guilty about it, and other times, I feel like I’m doing the world a favour and protecting those girls from the craziness that is Cole.

  And no, I’m not jealous.

  Then there’s Aiden. When I mentioned him seeing Elsa and told him we had a deal, he brushed me off.

  “And I can end the deal whenever I wish,” he said. “I’ve had my fun, and I’m free to end it. Besides, you’re a cheater, Queens.”

  He laughed as he passed me by. Wanker.

  I’m a cheater? What about his damn sexcapades with Elsa?

  Not that it matters. I know I’m holding on to a wobbly thread, but I can’t simply let go.

  As I head towards the school car park, there’s no one in sight. I quicken my pace to my car because Cole just left, and he told Helen he’d be home late today. He doesn’t have practice and Ronan isn’t throwing a party tonight, so I need to figure out where he’s going.

  A small tap-tap sound comes from behind me and I freeze. My shoulder blades snap together and it’s as if someone is grabbing me by the gut.

  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.

  It’s worse in this position. Now his chest is close to mine and my breasts are an inch away from his shirt.

  He lost the jacket and has the sleeves of his shirt rolled up to his elbows, revealing his strong, veiny forearms.

  Focus, Silver.

  “You scared the shit out of me.” I fold my arms over my chest.

  He raises a brow. “You shouldn’t roam around in places that scare the shit out of you.”

  “And neither should you.”

  “This place doesn’t scare me, Butterfly.” He pauses, staring me up and down as if I’m a case study. “So?”

  “So what?”

  “Why have you been following me since I left school? Do you perhaps miss me?”

  “No.”

  “If you say that word one more time, I’m going to fuck you right here, right now.” He leans over and lowers his voice. “They have cameras on these streets.”

  My eyes widen, but it’s not only at the prospect of being caught. It’s also because of the fact that he mentioned fucking me.

  Why did he have to paint that picture in my head after a whole week of depriving me of it? Is this a game?

  “Or you can come with me,” he offers with nonchalance. “You followed me here so you might as well see what I’m up to.”

  “N…” I trail off at the dark look in his green gaze.

  “What was that, Butterfly?”

  “Nothing.” I clear my throat. “What is this place anyway?”

  “Come with me and you’ll find out.” His voice is smooth, suave, like I imagine the devil sounded when he tempted Eve.

  But he’s right — not that I’ll ever admit it. I’m already here, so I might as well meet the other side of Cole.

  I walk ahead of him, and when he doesn’t follow, I toss a glance over my shoulder. “Aren’t you coming, coward?”

  He throws his head back in laughter and I freeze in place. My heart thrums hard in my chest at the view of his happy face. That sound of laughter is as rare as a passing unicorn in Cole’s case.

  I wish I could somehow steal it and store it away for safekeeping.

  The moment ends when he soon joins me and we’re going through the entrance he parked his car near.

  Someone who looks like a bouncer tips his chin at him, and it’s then that I’m positive we’re at some type of a club.

  “She’s with me.” Cole motions at me and the bouncer just nods again. I nod back, not sure about the protocol here.

  If Cole is known enough to be recognised and even given a free pass, this should mean he’s somewhat of a regular.

  A petite woman wearing a satin gown and a black kitty mask smiles at us. “Welcome to La Débauche.”

  Is this some sort of a costume party? If so, I’m not dressed for the occasion. I actually have the perfect Chanel dress for it. Also…

  “Debauchery?” I whisper-hiss at Cole.

  He ignores me and motions with his head at the girl, leading us into a room with black wallpaper and no furnishing except for a sofa and a rack with hangers full of black clothes. “Should I arrange a separate room for the Miss?”

  “No, we’re fine, thank you.” Cole flashes her his kind smile that can melt ice.

  “The show starts in ten minutes, sir.”

  “Arrange a private viewing session.”

  “Yes, sir.” The girl bows and closes the door behind her.

  Yes, sir? What the hell was that all about?

  I take a quick sweep of the black gowns and trousers in their plastic bags. There are also masks like the one the girl was wearing.

  The reality of things slowly filters in. The secrecy, the club’s name, the girl’s clothes and her words. I swing back towards Cole. “Did you bring me to a sex club?”

  “You came on your own. You can leave at any time.” He unbuttons his shirt. “But you’re not a coward, are you?”

  Damn it. He always gets me with that argument.

  “What are you doing?” I murmur as he shrugs off his shirt, revealing his taut muscles, before he moves on to his belt.

  “There’s a dress code for this place.” A smirk tugs his lips. “Why are you shy when you’ve already seen me naked, Butterfly?
”

  “I-I’m not.”

  “Are you perhaps eager because it’s been some time since you’ve seen me naked?”

  “You wish.”

  He yanks his trousers and boxers down in one go, standing fully unclothed before me. I force myself to stare at his face to stop myself from ogling his dick and the way it’s pointing at me.

  Cole takes his time to retrieve black trousers and pulls them up his legs. I stand there, crossing my arms and pretending I’m irritated, when in fact, I’m boiling from the inside out.

  I shouldn’t be in a place like this, and most of all, I shouldn’t steal peeks at his nakedness.

  “If you’re not going to leave, you should change.”

  “I’m not a coward, but I’m not going to have sex in front of a bunch of strangers – even with the masks on.”

  “It’ll be the other way around.”

  “What?”

  “I don’t come here to have sex. I come here to watch it.”

  Oh.

  I bite my lower lip. “And…um…did you bring someone else in the past?”

  He approaches me in slow, predatory steps. When he’s in front of me, he places two fingers under my chin and lifts it up. “You’re my first.”

  “And last,” I speak before I even realise it. It’s out now; I’m not taking it back.

  “Last?”

  “I’ll stay if you promise I’m the only one you’ll bring here.”

  “Deal, but you have to come with me all the time.”

  I gulp, nodding. This is a drastic step, but the thought of him bringing another girl here makes me delirious. I’ll never allow that.

  “And you’ll let me dress you.”

  “Cole!”

  “That’s my condition.”

  “Fine, but there’ll be no sex while you’re dressing me.” I stop, then quickly blurt, “Oral included.”

  He smirks as he removes my jacket. “You’re learning.”

  Not that I have a choice. I need to keep up with his devious mind. Cole is like the tiny clauses you don’t see in a contract. It’s as if he searches for opportunities to turn people’s decisions against them.