by Rina Kent
He turns towards me. “Levi King?”
“The one and only,” Xan shouts.
Jeremy laughs. “I’ve seen exceptional captaining skills today. Your leadership and ability to make decisions in a split time are exactly what we’re looking for. That finish only proved how much we need to have our hands on you.” He meets Jonathan’s gaze. “You didn’t tell me you hid a gem, King.”
“It comes with the family name,” Uncle says.
Jeremy smiles, eyeing Aiden. “We’ll be talking to the second King soon, too.”
“Yeah, that won’t happen, Jeremy.” Uncle takes him away before the assistant coaches start drooling over him.
I gulp a mouthful of water and spill some over my head.
One thing is over.
“Victory party at my place!” Ronan shouts, gripping me by the shoulder. “Captain, man of the hour!”
“You’ll have to do it on your own.” I shrug him off.
“Why?” Cole snatches the bottle from between my finger.
“I have an important place to be.” A place that’s two weeks overdue.
“Uh, you don’t have to.” Xander waggles his eyebrows, motioning behind me.
My breath hitches when I turn around.
The guys’ cheers, the spectators, and the entire fucking world disappears.
The only thing that remains is the girl walking across the pitch.
She’s wearing my T-shirt with number ten on it. Her hair falls on either side of her face like a fucking halo.
Air rushes back to my lungs, and it hurts.
Feeling so much life after suffocating for two weeks fucking hurts.
I’ll make sure it never hurts again. For the both of us.
Astrid once told me I’m a dark night. It’s in dark nights that stars like her shine the brightest.
Chapter Fifty-Five
Astrid
Mine.
* * *
My heart tries to punch its way out of my chest as I stare at Levi.
Sweat and water make his gorgeous Viking hair all tousled and shining. He runs towards me in that agile, stunning way that made me put up with morning runs.
His chest muscles strain against his jersey and his strong thighs nearly burst out of the shorts.
He stops in front of me, his handsome face slightly flushed from the heroic game he just finished.
I only came in the second half, after trying to convince myself for the thousandth time that this is the right thing to do and praying that I didn’t shatter us for good.
“Congrats,” I murmur, almost stammering like an idiot. “That was a great game.”
“Fuck that.” He breathes harshly, approaching me slowly. “Why are you here, Astrid?”
“I…” I was an idiot? I want a second chance?
Where the hell do I even begin with my jumbled thoughts?
He barges into my space. His chest brushes against my breasts and I’m so full of him. Of his height. Of his natural scent now mixed with adrenaline. Of his sheer presence.
God, I missed him. I missed him so fucking much.
He clutches my shoulders with strong hands, and I briefly close my eyes against the sensation. His touch has always been my undoing, and I’ve been starving for so long.
“Tell me you couldn’t sleep, too. Tell me I’ve been driving you as fucking crazy as you’ve been driving me.”
I nod, fighting the pressure building in my throat. “I know there’s a dark past between us, but I’m choosing to be selfish. I’m choosing the future, Levi.”
“Thank fuck because I’m never giving up on you, princess.”
I release a long breath. “I thought you already did.”
“Nah. I have to live up to my devil reputation.”
I throw myself against him, my hands securing tightly at his back. Levi wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into him. We’re so close that he’s crushing me until I can’t breathe.
Scratch that. I can breathe. I breathe him. His embrace. His warmth. The future I want with him.
Levi and I were something special since the day I stumbled into the private room, drugged, and he kicked me out just so he’d save me later.
We’ve been something special since he made me his target and I fought back.
The past won’t define our lives. The future will.
“Now say it,” he whispers against my ear.
“Say what?”
“That you’re mine.”
“I’m yours.” I chuckle, looking up at him. “Even if we have a long-distance relationship.”
“Fuck long-distance relationships.”
My heart breaks as if he jammed a knife into my chest. Does Levi only plan to spend the rest of the year with me and then we go separate ways?
He taps my nose. “Kiss for your thoughts?”
“So what? It’s over once you go to Manchester or Liverpool?”
“Nothing will be fucking over.”
“But you’re going —”
“I’m going nowhere, princess. Uncle brought his friend who happens to be Arsenal’s CEO to make sure I stay in London.”
“Arsenal. Wow.”
“I know. Jonathan is being manipulative until the very end.”
“No. I mean I’m happy for you… if you decide to stay in London, of course.”
“Fuck right I’m staying. I go wherever you go, princess.”
He seals his lips to mine in a passionate, all-consuming kiss that steals my breath away. I moan, threading my fingers into his hair as the guys cheer all around us.
I kiss him back, rising on my tippy toes to reciprocate what he’s thinking.
Mine.
Epilogue
One year later
“This isn’t funny.”
My heart almost beats out of my chest even as I try to keep my voice light-hearted.
The sound of the rain beats down all over the King’s mansion, soaking the fountain in the middle of the back garden and the trees in the distance.
I should’ve known he’s up to no good.
Levi is always up to no good.
“Levi?” I call in a hesitant voice as my steps falter near the covered hallway.
I search around, expecting one of his distasteful pranks where he jumps me from behind.
I’ll probably never admit this to him, but I love that part of him the most. There’s never a dull moment with him.
He makes my days unforgettable and my nights as thrilling as a rollercoaster ride.
Yesterday, he saw me having lunch with a few of my college friends who somehow all ended up being males. Levi decided to be a dick and kiss me in front of all of them until I had to apologise and leave.
I’m still feeling sore from the way he took me hard and fast against the door as soon as we entered his flat.
It’s his way of punishment. A game he plays with my body that I don’t ever want to end.
As soon as we graduated, Levi chose to live on his own. He still didn’t touch his trust fund and is living off his overflowing career with Arsenal. It amazes me how he can play and study at the same time. I feel so overwhelmed with the art classes alone.
On paper, I still live with Dad, but in reality, I crash in Levi’s flat more often than not.
We practically live together now.
“Are you going to be petty for long?” I ask, rubbing my arms.
A chill covers my bare limbs and it’s not because of the cold. A part of me is bubbling, itching and almost jumping out of my skin for what he plans to do.
Levi might have grown up, but he’s still the same unpredictable arsehole who’s out to flip my world upside down.
The only difference is that I love it. No, I crave it. Sometimes, I feel like his madness mirrors mine.
And when I wake up in the morning with this face next to mine, I give a silent prayer to always wake up to him.
He might rock my world, but he’s also the only one who’s able to balance it. He’s m
y rock and my anchor. He has some possessive and controlling issues, but that’s part of who Levi King is.
In fact, after getting to know his uncle and his cousin, I can say Levi is the safest amongst them — shocker I know.
They have something all screwed up in the family’s blood.
They’re all twisted in their own ways and they’re not apologetic about it.
A sound catches behind me. I stop in front of the threshold and glance sideways, my breathing hitching.
“Levi?”
Nothing.
I wait for a few long seconds and then release a breath. I’m going back inside and to hell with Levi’s games.
Something slams into me from behind. I shriek as I recognise his warmth and his unmistakable scent.
“What did I say about putting your guard down, princess?” He speaks against my ear before he nibbles on the lobe. “That’s when I’ll always strike.”
“You’re awful.” I try to control my heartbeat.
“You still love me for it.”
“Maybe I don’t anymore.” I taunt. “Maybe I’m falling for someone else from my class.”
“Do you really want the blood of all your classmates on your hand?”
I gasp in mock reaction. “You wouldn’t.”
“Oh, I very much would.”
Yup. He’s crazy enough to do it.
Before I can say anything, he picks me up in his arms. I gasp as he runs straight out to the rain. I squeal with pure excitement as the water soaks us.
His lips slam to mine as he kisses me until I can only breathe him. It’s desperate and robs my sanity and my entire surroundings.
He still consumes every inch of me with a single touch.
The feeling of being in the rain with him never gets boring. It’s one of my favourite things to do with him.
Instead of spinning me around in his arms, he puts me down on my feet and steps back.
Before I can make out what’s going on, he gets on his knees and fetches a ring with a huge diamond on top.
“You gave my life meaning and I want to spend every single moment of it with you.” He looks up at me with his wet blond hair sticking to his temple and his pale blue eyes shining with intensity. “Would you marry me, princess?”
“Yes! A million times yes, Levi!”
I pull him to his feet and crush my lips to his as he slides the ring on my finger.
“I volunteer to be best man!” Ronan’s voice shouts from behind us.
Levi and I stop kissing, but he’s still holding me in the rain.
The four horsemen — Elites’ current forward line — cheer with a lot of snark thrown in between.
In fact, only Dan, Xander, Ronan, and Cole cheer. Aiden leans against the wall with his ankles crossed and a bored expression written all over his face as he scrolls through his phone.
Last year, I thought Aiden could be mildly psychopathic, but now, I’m almost sure he has clinical antisocial disorder.
Nothing holds any value to him.
The only time I see him lose the bored expression is when he’s around a certain Ice Princess.
“Oh. Shit.” Dan exclaims with astonishment. “Does this make me the maid of honour?”
I laugh, the sound is carefree and happy. “Sure does, bug.”
Dad walks out the front door, wearing a proud smile. Jonathan stands by his side, staring between his son and his nephew.
Sometimes, I think he wants Aiden to be more like Levi. At other times, it seems the exact opposite.
I wouldn’t call Dad and Jonathan friends, but they tolerate each other enough to visit one another’s homes when we invite them.
“I’m happy,” I whisper to Levi. “Thank you for existing, my king.”
He smiles. “Thank you for being mine, princess.”
And then, he’s kissing me again.
* * *
THE END
Or is it
(Read an extended epilogue in Levi’s POV here)
Afterword
Thank you so much for reading Cruel King! If you liked it, please leave a review.
Next up is a brand new Royal Elite’s series and the first book will be Aiden King’s.
Release date: October 24th,
You can Pre-order Deviant King here.
* * *
Blurb
* * *
The villain isn’t supposed to be the king.
* * *
I have a simple plan.
Finish Royal Elite School and get into my dream university.
One glance from the school’s king blows my plan up in smoke.
One glance and he suffocates my air.
One glance and he issues his death sentence.
His first words spiral my life into irreparable chaos.
“I will destroy you.”
Everything about Aiden King is black.
Black mind.
Black heart.
Black soul.
I should’ve remained quiet and endured the time I have left.
I didn’t.
I made the irrevocable mistake of provoking the king on his throne.
The devil in his hell.
And now, I’ll pay the price.
Being hated by Aiden King is dangerous.
But being wanted by him is lethal.
* * *
Pre-Order Deviant King
Acknowledgments
To Mr K: You're the best inspiration and supporter a girl can ask for. Thank you for always being there even when things get tough. Oh, and thanks for not killing me yet.
* * *
To my parents: I've been staying with them when I wrote Cruel King and they were nothing short of patient and supportive. Mum, Dad, you know I love you guys even when I act like a little monster, right?
* * *
To Ari: Thanks for listening to me blabber non-stop about Levi and Astrid. Your infinite patience helped me in nailing down this story.
* * *
To Annabelle: I killed you with this one last minute, I know. I'm so thankful to have you with me every step on the way. I couldn't do this without you.
* * *
To Nora: I appreciate you so much, honey. You're everything I don't deserve.
* * *
To Heather: I killed you with this one, too, but you were there until the very end. Thanks for being an endless source of support, girl.
* * *
To Cheryl, Alex, and Sierra: Thank you guys so much for being my first eyes. Love you!
* * *
To my co-authors in this Boxset, Logan, Nicole, Esme & Natalie: Thank you guys for such an amazing experience! Hereʼs to the beginning of a great partnership.
* * *
To the Gritty Gang, Team Zero, and all my readers: You guys are what inspires me to tell my best stories. Thank you for all the love and enthusiasm. But most of all, thank you for being there for every story I write.
Also By Rina Kent
TEAM ZERO SERIES
Lured
Crowed
Ghosted
Shadowed
Misted
Team Zero Boxset 1-3
More Team Zero Books to Follow….
THE RHODES SERIES
Remorse (FREE)
Ruin
ROYAL ELITE SERIES
Deviant King
Steel Princess
Twisted Kingdom
DARK HIGH SCHOOL BULLY ROMANCE BOXED SET
Noble Savages
About the Author
Rina Kent in an English author who's constantly parading between France and North
Africa due to her studies and her husband's demanding job.
When she's not packing suitcases or hopping from one plane to the other, she's busy whipping her characters to shape.
Since a young age, Rina has been obsessed with storytelling and flawed, edgy characters. Her heroes are often killers and anti-heroes and her books are always sprinkled with darkness, angst, vio
lence, and lots of heat.
* * *
If you’re in the mood to stalk me:
Website
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BookBub
Instagram
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Gritty Gang Group
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Goodreads
Merciless Knave
Esme Devlin
Merciless Knave Blurb
I was traded like the Queen of Diamonds in a game of cards, before I was old enough to spell the word 'marriage'.
* * *
He says I'm his. Always have been, always will be.
* * *
Not while I'm still breathing.
* * *
Til death us do part?
* * *
If that's the way it has to be, I'm dragging him to hell with me.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
