Deviant King: A Dark New Adult Romance (Royal Elite Book 1)

For weeks, the six of us watched football together. Even Kim has become a regular in our nights at the King’s mansion.

Sometimes, Levi and Astrid would join — when Levi doesn’t have a game.

Aiden still didn’t take me to the ‘Meet Up’ but he promised to.

During all the time we spent at Aiden’s place, we bonded over football — the only thing we all love.

I learnt how goofy Ronan actually is. How passionate Xander can be and how cool, but enthusiastic Cole is.

And Aiden.

Damn Aiden.

Since that night in the pool, he’s been taking each of my phobias and turning them into an erotic bliss. Once, he snuck into my room, turned off my night lamp and jumped me in bed. I was so wet and came within seconds.

Another time, he took me hard and merciless against a table in the basement near his indoor pool. I couldn’t think about how closed off the space was or how I’d suffocate to death inside it. All I could feel was the shattering pleasure as he rammed into me from behind.

We had sex in the pool so many times, I lost count.

While all that pleasure washed away the fear, it was only temporary.

I still wouldn’t set foot near a pool, a basement, or the dark if Aiden isn’t holding my hand or carrying me in his arms.

That strangely sounds like trust.

Do I trust Aiden?

I want to. God, I really want to extinguish whatever little distrust I have for him. It doesn’t help that he always resorts to his manipulative ways whenever he wants something.

Aiden will never stop snatching what he wants just because he can.

When Jamie, a rugby player, asked if we can tag along for an assignment, I agreed.

Aiden, being his usual jerk, told me to say no.

When I didn’t agree, he just walked away. A day later, Jamie apologised that he won’t be able to do the project with me.

Later, I heard that Jamie’s rugby gear was ruined and his place in the team was also under jeopardy for alcohol addiction.

It didn’t take a genius to know who was the reason behind it. When I faced Aiden about it, he said, “The sorry fuck shouldn’t have looked in the direction of what’s mine. Besides, he needed a wake-up call to play rugby without polluting his liver.”

“What are you? Rugby police?” I asked.

His eyes darkened in that way that made my thighs clench together in both dread and anticipation. “Now you prefer rugby over football?”

“I’m a Football girl, but that’s not the point. Stop being a jerk to everyone.”

“I’m not a jerk to everyone. I’m a jerk to threatens what’s mine.”

He even posted a pic of my back view as I snuggled in his lap during a game night with the caption ‘Football girl’.

After that incident, and a few others where Aiden and his pack of wolves shut out anyone who breathes in my direction, it’s like I’m being hated all over again.

Only now, it’s for a different reason. They hate seeing me with Aiden and the rest of the football crew. The queen of haters is Silver, but she’s been keeping her claws hidden.

I don’t like the smugness she has on her face whenever she brushes past me and throws one of her ‘peasant’ taunts.

After school, I’m bummed that Aiden has practice and won’t be able to drive me home.

Since Aunt and Uncle work today, I was planning on him staying the night and forcing him to watch a crime thriller with me. I don’t know when I moved on from pleading with him to leave to where I want him to spend the nights.

Everything is a process with Aiden. It’s not easy to look past the surface, but when I do, I can clearly see the little gestures. Like the way he always puts me on top when we sleep. How he prepares breakfast when I wake up. How he runs long hot baths for me. Even his crude night and morning texts can be sweet sometimes.

He’s slowly but surely crumbling any wall I’ve been keeping around my fragile heart.

I even followed him back the other day on Instagram.

Truth is, I never had a choice about whether or not I should let him in. Aiden barged right in and carved his comfy place in my chest.

The thought of plucking him out brings a taste of bitterness and horror.

On my way to the car park to meet Kim, my phone rings. I grin like an idiot when Aiden’s name flashes alongside that picture of our first kiss in Ronan’s house. He changed it for me, but I didn’t remove it.

“Aren’t you supposed to be in practice?” I ask.

“The keyword being ‘supposed’. Coach will kill me if he finds me talking on the phone.”

“Then go. I don’t want you killed.”

“It’s worth it if I get to hear your voice.”

I dig my teeth into my bottom lip to stop myself from grinning like an idiot.

“Where are you?” he asks, his voice dropping a range.

“Heading home with Kim.”

“Don’t let her stay the night. I’m coming to stake my claim after practice.”

“Didn’t you stake your claim already?” Still smiling, I walk slower than needed, kicking imaginary rocks.

“Not even close, sweetheart. I need to stake my claim some more just in case. I don’t like feeling threatened.”

“Oh, the mighty Aiden King feels threatened?”

“If you keep insisting on having the guys watch the games with us, damn straight I feel threatened.”

I chuckle and press the back of my hand against my mouth. “They’re your friends.”

“Disposable if they threaten what’s mine.” He sounds dead serious when he says it. “If one of those fuckers put their hands on you again, I’ll break it and their legs so they can kiss their last football season goodbye.”

God. He’s an anomaly.

Sometimes, I feel like Cole, Ronan and especially Xander poke his possessive side just to see him act out. They’re used to the calculative, albeit calm version of Aiden. His carefully tucked monstrous version is frightening, but they want to see it anyway.

“King!” Someone shouts in the background.

“It’s Coach.” Aiden releases a sound between a mumble and a groan.

“Don’t get killed.”

“Not when I have a claim to stake.” He chuckles. “See you later, sweetheart.”

“See you,” I say back but he’s already hung up.

I’m still smiling to myself as if I lost my mind — which wouldn’t be wrong considering that I have feelings for Aiden.

It’s screwed up and wrong, but it’s true.

I walk to the car park, trying to convince myself that I won’t cave and wait until after his practice, or even watch from the wirings like some of the fangirls.

It’s not that I’m above being a fangirl, but I need to study before I lose not only my heart, body and soul to Aiden but also my future.

“You promised, Uncle.”

My feet come to a screeching halt at Silver’s agitated voice. I hide behind the corner leading to the car park and peek my head.

Silver stands near a shiny black Mercedes with… Jonathan King?

His broad, tall frame towers over her. He’s wearing a three-piece black suit all complete with diamond studs. Silver looks pristine as usual in her pressed school uniform and designer shoes.

“Keep your voice down,” Jonathan says in a firm, authoritative tone.

“You said she’ll be gone. You said Aiden will dump that little bitch Elsa in a heartbeat. Obviously, he hasn’t. If anything, he’s doting on her more than ever.”

My nails dig into the stone as I register the load of information. Aiden told his father he’ll dump me?

“Silver, Silver. Didn’t your father teach you the tactic of luring before attacking? A prey is ought to fall harder when she trusts she’s not in danger, not the other way around. That’s what Aiden has been doing all this time. Luring the prey. Now that she trusts him, her fall will crush her apart.”

My breathing hitches and the itch starts beneath my skin. I grip the straps of my backpack and turn to leave, not wanting to hear anything else.

They’re lying.

They’re both lying.

“How can you be so sure, Uncle?” Silver asks.

I come to a halt despite myself, my fingers trembling around the strap of my backpack.

“Elsa’s parents killed his mother. The only reason Aiden has ever looked in that monster’s direction is to make her pay for her parents’ sin.”

Jonathan and Silver continue talking, but I’m not hearing a thing. My feet carry me in the opposite direction, but I’m not seeing a thing.

The colour has drained from my cheeks and my heart slams against my ribs, wanting out.

Out.

Out!

I trip and fall, but I stand back up again. Something burns in my knees but it’s nothing compared to the itching burn beneath my skin.

It’s like I’m igniting from the inside without fuel or even fire.

I trip again, but this time, a hand clutches my arm and steadies me. I push whoever grabbed me away. They’re asking something, but I can’t hear anything over the loud buzz in my ears.

My unfocused gaze stays ahead, I’m already in the school, walking God knows where.

I need to go to the pitch and ask Aiden to tell me that what I just heard is a lie.

That his father is mistaken. That my parents didn’t kill his mother.

That he didn’t approach me for revenge.

I will destroy you. He told upon our first meeting.

No. No. No…

My feet falter as I find myself at the edge of the pool. Everyone but the football and rugby teams have left for the day so it’s empty and dark except for the blue water.

What the hell am I doing here?

I turn to leave, but a strong hand pushes me. I fall, shrieking.

The sound is drowned when I’m swallowed whole into the water.

Everything turns black.