Broken Kingdom : A bad boy college romance (Royal Hearts Academy Book 4)

by Ashley Jade

The man tattooing him laughs and says, “Jane up at the front desk has been doing some killer ink lately. If you really want one, I think she has an opening this morning.”

  Before I can talk myself out of it, I go to the front desk to find Jane.

  “It doesn’t hurt as much as I thought it would,” I say over my shoulder. “Is that weird?”

  “Nope,” Jane assures me. “It’s just the fear of the unknown that trips up most people.” She pauses. “We’ll be done in about another minute. Came out awesome.”

  My stare connects with Oakley’s from across the room.

  His tattoo artist finished up a few minutes ago, but I haven’t been able to see it yet because I’ve been getting tattooed myself.

  “All done,” she sings.

  I’m starting to regret getting it on my shoulder blade now because I can’t see it.

  Jane laughs when she sees my struggle. “Hold on. I’ll get you a mirror.”

  A moment later she holds up a mirror behind me while I hold another one up in front of me.

  Holy shit.

  Tears prickle my eyes because it’s exactly what I wanted.

  Jace, Cole, and Dylan all got butterfly tattoos for Liam a few years ago, and I wanted to get one myself.

  Problem is, Liam’s life ended before he got a chance to transform into a butterfly.

  Just like I am now…he was a caterpillar trapped inside a perpetual cocoon.

  So that’s exactly what I got.

  A purple and green caterpillar trapped inside a cocoon.

  With the hope that maybe one day I’ll be free and turn into a butterfly.

  I don’t even realize I’m crying until Oakley’s walking over and scooping me into his arms.

  He doesn’t tell me it will be okay or offer me empty words about how he’s in a better place.

  “We’ll never be butterflies,” I choke out as he rocks me.

  “Caterpillars are cool, too,” he whispers against my hair. “You get to hang upside down and you have over a thousand muscles but no bones. That’s some badass shit.”

  I can’t help but stare at him because how the hell does he even know that?

  “I read Wikipedia when I get bored,” he states before I can ask.

  A laugh flies out of me. “I don’t know how you do it.”

  His expression turns serious. “Do what?”

  I loop my arms around his neck and hug him tight. “Manage to make me feel better when no one else in the world can.”

  He draws tiny circles up and down my back with his fingers. “I can say the same about you, baby girl.”

  That’s when it occurs to me. “Show me your hands.”

  Adjusting myself on his lap, I look down.

  Oh, no.

  This is bad. Real bad.

  Seven of his fingers have huge block letters inked on them that spell out the phrase, ‘back in a’…followed by what looks like a pot plant on his pinky.

  The heel of my hand finds my forehead and I audibly groan. “Oakley, that doesn’t even make any sense.”

  “Sure it does,” he argues, pointing to each of his tattooed fingers. “Back in a…” He sticks up his pot plant pinky and waggles his eyebrows. “Haze.”

  For a moment, I think about placating him and saying it’s awesome…but that would be a boldfaced lie.

  “That’s dumb.” I get off his lap. “Let’s haul that guy back in here so he can fix this mess.”

  “It’s perfect.” He stands. “I got the thing I love most in this world.”

  A weary sigh escapes me, because of course he did. “Weed.”

  His expression falters and he holds my gaze. “Just because I can’t have it anymore doesn’t mean I love it any less.”

  Chapter 40

  Bianca

  Past…

  We’re a tangled mess of sweaty limbs and wrinkled bedsheets as we lie in his bed. The hum of the air-conditioning kicks up a notch, trying its best to keep up with the end of the summer heat as we fight to catch our breaths.

  Oakley’s phone rings for what must be the tenth time in thirty minutes, but he ignores it.

  Nuzzling against him, I run my fingernails down his pecs. “Your favorite color is orange.”

  Amusement gleams in his eyes. “Is that a deal breaker for you or something?”

  “No,” I answer. “I’m just wondering why is all.”

  Most guys like blue, red, or black…but as usual, Oakley’s the exception.

  He thinks about this for a moment as he brings a joint to his lips and inhales. “It’s bright in all the right places.”

  I can’t help but smile because I love the way his mind works. “I’ve never met anyone like you, Oakley Zelenka.”

  Something tells me I could travel the whole wide world and that will never change.

  A smirk touches his lips as he peers down at me. “Is that a good thing or bad thing?”

  My smile widens. “It’s the best thing.”

  Snuffing out his joint, he shifts so he’s on top of me, caging me in with his forearms. “What about you?”

  “What about me?”

  Dipping his head, he nuzzles the hollow of my throat. “Why is purple your favorite color?”

  “Because pink is way too fucking bright.”

  I wish I could tell him something deep and profound, but that’s all I’ve got.

  He chuckles against my neck before drawing the tender skin into his mouth…leaving his mark. My nipples pucker and I instinctively part my thighs, sucking in a breath when I feel him harden between them.

  So close, yet so far.

  My eyes flutter closed, and I moan when his teeth scrape my flesh as his mouth works down my body. I love how he’s always branding me…giving me little reminders of what naughty things we’ve done and how addicting he is.

  “I like pink.” Settling his head between my thighs, he spreads my pussy with his fingers and gives it a little kiss. “Especially this pink.” Blue eyes trained on me, his tongue darts out and he flicks my clit. “So fucking pretty.”

  Oh, hell. I’m so revved up a strong breeze could send me spiraling straight to orgasmville.

  “Oakle—”

  The sound of his phone ringing again cuts me off. “Who the hell keeps calling you?”

  Annoyed, he reaches for his cell on the nightstand. “I don’t know.” His face falls when he looks at it. “Shit.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  He sits up in bed. “It’s Hayley.” Before I can say a word, he presses the green button and brings the phone to his ear. “What’s up?”

  Needless to say, I’m pissed.

  I had no idea he was still talking to her.

  Anger rolls through me as he continues his conversation.

  “I’m busy right now, but I’ll hit you up later.” He frowns. “I know you are, boo, but everything will be okay. I won’t let him touch you.”

  It takes everything in me not to rip the phone out of his hand and break it.

  I’m downright seething by the time he ends the call. “You’re still talking to Hayley?”

  “I haven’t been, but she’s going through some shit right now.” He blows out a breath. “She got into a fight with the guy she’s been seeing and he just threatened to beat the shit out of her.”

  Right. And I’m the long-lost Queen of fucking Sheba.

  Covering myself with the sheet, I glare at him. “And you believe her? In case you forgot, Hayley’s the same girl who told you all those lies about me.”

  And there’s no doubt in my mind Hayley would say and do whatever it takes to sink her hooks back into him.

  Christ. It’s really no surprise she’d pull this. Everyone knows Oakley’s a sucker for a damsel in distress.

  He just can’t help himself.

  He grips the back of his neck. “I know. And I fucking hate that, but if I don’t help her and something bad happens…” He shrugs a shoulder. “What she did was wrong, and she’s not the person I thought she was,
but I’ll never be okay with some motherfucker putting his hands on a woman.”

  Annoyed, I rub my temples.

  I love his big heart and how he always has people’s backs…even when they don’t deserve it.

  However, I hate her.

  “I get that, but it doesn’t mean you need to be the one to play captain save a ho. Tell her to call the police.”

  “The police won’t take it seriously since he hasn’t actually done anything to her yet.”

  It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him that maybe he shouldn’t take it seriously either since the bitch is a certified liar, but his phone rings again.

  Frustration forms a knot in my gut. “I swear to God if that’s her—”

  “It’s Loki,” he grunts before answering his phone. “What’s up?” His jaw sets. “I’m chilling with my girl, why?”

  I force myself not to swoon. His girl.

  “What kind of favor?” I watch in confusion as he walks over to his dresser and pulls a t-shirt out of his drawer. “Santa Creek? Damn, man. That’s a two-hour drive.” Frowning, he grabs a pair of jeans and boxers. “Fine. Let me jump in the shower real quick and then I’ll head out.” Irritation mixed with longing passes in his gaze when he looks at me. “Damn right you fucking owe me.”

  With a grunt, he hangs up.

  “I gotta take a drive out to Santa Creek. I’ll be back later.”

  I’ve quickly come to realize that take a drive is code word for make a drug deal.

  “I can come with, if you want.” I sit up. “Maybe I can drive?”

  “Hell no.” He locks my chin in his hand. “I don’t want you anywhere near this shit.” Closing the distance between us, he kisses my lips. “I’ll bring back dinner for us though.”

  I palm his cheek when he starts to pull away. “I hate that you’re still working for Loki.”

  Not only could he get in trouble one day, but being around drugs all the time has got to be torture for him.

  He’s been doing so good and I don’t want him to slip up.

  “I don’t have a choice,” he says as he types out a text on his phone. “I need the money.”

  “Well, I have plenty of money at my disposal.” Waggling my eyebrows, I lower the bedsheet, baring my breasts. “And as long as you promise to keep doing that thing I love with your tongue, I have no problem sharing some with you.”

  He watches beneath lowered lids. “Thanks for the offer, but the thing I do with my tongue is on the house.” Reaching down, he gathers me in his arms and swats my behind. “However, the thing I can do with my dick?” Shivers run down my spine when he locks his arm around my waist and drags his teeth along the nape of my neck. “That’s gonna cost you, baby girl.”

  “Name your price,” I breathe, because I’ll pay just about anything to experience it.

  Groaning, he unfastens his arm and I fall back on the mattress. “Don’t fucking tempt me, Bianca.” The look he gives me could melt a glacier. “If I stay in bed with you any longer, your virginity will be gone faster than the coke I’m dealing these rich boys partying on their daddy’s yacht.”

  I’m about to ask him why losing my virginity to him would be such a bad thing, but he heads for the bathroom.

  Disappointment flickers in my chest when I hear the shower turn on a moment later.

  Swear, sometimes holding on to him is like trying to hold on to a cloud.

  I debate getting dressed and heading home until he comes back, but I notice Oakley’s cell on the bed.

  I manage to swipe it before it times out and the screen locks.

  Thinking quick, I pull up Hayley’s name and type out a text.

  Oakley: Meet me at the park at nine so we can talk.

  It takes Hayley all of one second to respond.

  Hayley: I’ll be there.

  Another one quickly follows.

  Hayley: As usual you’re the only one I can count on. You’re like my knight in shining armor.

  I grit my teeth as yet another text comes through. Clingy bitch.

  Hayley: I really don’t know what I’d do without you.

  Rolling my eyes, I swiftly delete the exchange.

  And then, I join my man in the shower.

  The look on Hayley’s face when I step out of my car is priceless.

  “I’m sorry, were you expecting someone else?” I taunt as I walk over to the bench she’s sitting on.

  Her eyes narrow into tiny slits. “What are you doing here?”

  I place my hands on my hips. “Look, I’m gonna make this real simple. Oakley and I are together now, so if you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave him the fuck alone and stop blowing up his phone with your desperate little lies.”

  Crossing her arms, she stands. “And if I don’t?”

  Given the bitch is well aware that her father is responsible for my mother’s death, there’s no point beating around the bush.

  “I’ll not only tell everyone that your father took advantage of one of his patients and do everything in my power to have his license revoked…I’ll inform your mom he’s an adulterating piece of shit.” I flash her some teeth. “Oh, and I’ll release the videos I have of you doing the kinds of things disgusting old men would love to jerk their pathetic little cocks to for years to come.”

  Hayley doesn’t look the least bit worried by my threat. “No, you won’t. Because then you’d have to admit to everyone that your mother was nothing but a psycho whore…just like her daughter.”

  My hand is wrapped around her throat so quick it takes us both by surprise. “Say that again,” I urge, tightening my grip. “I fucking dare you.”

  “Do it,” she croaks. “Put me out of my misery.”

  For a moment, I debate granting her wish, but quickly come to the realization that burying her body somewhere they’ll never find it is going to take some strategic planning on my part and she’s honestly not worth the effort or the potential jail time.

  Begrudgingly, I release my hold on her. “How the hell can you stand there and defend someone like him?”

  I’m not being rhetorical either. I’m genuinely curious how someone can still manage to love someone like that.

  “I’m not defending him.” Her face is filled with sadness as she rubs the red spot on her neck. “I’m just good at keeping his secrets.”

  I’m not sure what that means. However, the crestfallen look in her eyes makes something in my chest twist.

  “I have no idea what that me—”

  “Of course, you don’t,” she spits. “Consider yourself lucky.”

  My mother used to tell me I was too intuitive for my own good.

  And right now, my Spidey senses can’t stop a horrible thought from pummeling me.

  An unspeakable, revolting thought that makes my stomach bottom out.

  “Hayley.” It’s a struggle to say the words. “Did he—”

  “Why do you care?” She snorts. “Oh, that’s right. You don’t. You just want the sick gratification of being able to tell everyone that my daddy used to crawl into my room every night.”

  A sick, ugly feeling spreads throughout my chest. I always knew her dad was terrible for what he did to my mom, and his wife…but he’s even worse than I could fathom.

  “I won’t tell anyone,” I whisper, my mind breaking off in a thousand different directions “But I really think you should. I’ll even go with you if you want.”

  I’m not her biggest fan, but I’m willing to put that aside if she needs someone for support.

  Hell, I’d do just about anything to help her get through this.

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  I can’t comprehend why she’d want to keep something like this silent.

  Then again, I’ve never been molested.

  I used to think my life was as fucked-up as it gets, but as it turns out…things could have been worse.

  Way worse.

  Blowing out a shaky breath, she wipes her glistening eyes with the b
ack of her sleeve. “Not that I expect you to understand, but he’s still my dad.” She averts her gaze, like she’s ashamed of her next words. “And deep down there’s a part of me that still loves him. Despite the bad things he’s done and all the pain he’s caused me.”

  I understand that more than she thinks.

  “I get it,” I whisper.

  We stew in the heavy silence for what feels like hours before she speaks again.

  “Please don’t tell anyone about what he did to me, Bianca. I’ve never told anyone and—”

  “Your secret is safe with me.” My insides tighten uncomfortably. “But I really think you should tell someone.”

  She gives her head a small shake. “I’m graduating next year. And once I land a good job and I’m able to support myself, I won’t need him for anything anymore.” Closing her eyes, she inhales. “I’ll be free.”

  Despite all the animosity I was harboring, I want that for her.

  I fetch my keys out of my purse. “For what it’s worth, I really hope everything works out for you.”

  With those parting words, I start to leave.

  “Bianca?” she calls out.

  I pause. “Yeah?”

  “I’m never gonna stop trying to get Oakley back.”

  Instantly, my body jolts with animosity.

  Turning to face her, I give her a wicked smile.

  “Then may the best girl win.”

  Chapter 41

  Bianca

  I feel so sick it takes everything in me not to puke as I continue pacing the floor of my dorm room.

  I was hoping it was all just a terrible nightmare…but it wasn’t.

  It was reality. Her reality.

  Hayley had to go through horrors that were unimaginable.

  Horrors no one should ever have to go through.

  Because of him.

  And the worst part is, she never got to have her freedom.

  Because she’s dead.

  I clutch my stomach as another wave of nausea surges through me.