Page 32 of Royal Havoc

I’m unsure where she takes me because she’s forcing me to stare at my feet. A door opens, and suddenly, I’m being shoved into a room. A dirty wooden chair with straps sits in the corner, a single light hanging above it.

“Get in the chair,” she orders, stalking towards me.

Hands out in front of me, my head shaking. “No, please. I need the doctor. I’ll be good. Please,” I beg, starting to sob harder.

“Lying little bitch. Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Your family humiliated us. Now it’s your turn to be humiliated,” she rasps evilly, getting closer.

“Tobias, restrain Hazel,” Dr. Bolton’s voice orders loudly.

Our heads snap to the forgotten doorway, and I watch Tobias drag Hazel, kicking and screaming, from the room.

“I’m sorry, Tulip. Let’s go to my office and talk.” Dr. Bolton tells me softly, trying to settle me down.

sixteen

Smashing Cinderella’s Pumpkin

Vexen: 2024

Leaving Onyx pissed off and worked up was a horrible idea. I know it. She knows it. Hell, even Zeke knows it, which is why he’s trying to hide the stupid grin on his face. I notice my screen light up with a notification as he stops to enter his code at the gate.

Installing the tracker on her Jeep was smart. Absolutely necessary. I don’t care what unfortunate event brought her back. I know she won’t be gifted an easy escape ever again. She’s stuck with me for eternity.

I’m an only child. I don’t share. I take what I want, especially when I’ve been enticed my entire life to want it.

Opening the app, I watch as the blue dot skips over the screen, leaving River’s Edge. My blood pressure punches at my temple, forcing me to bite my tongue, fighting off the urge to tell Zeke to turn around and go after her.

“I told you,” Zeke throws out, waiting for the gate to slide open.

“Don’t start,” I grit, grinding my teeth so hard I can’t believe they don’t break, watching as the dot stops and hovers in the same spot for several seconds.

“So, what are we doing? Should I text Gage?” he asks, pulling into his parking spot.

I tap the screen, seeing she’s at the coffee shop across the bridge. My blood pressure simmers, taking it’s good damn time to level out.

“No. He’s busy dealing with your sister,” I answer distractedly, eyes stuck on the annoying flashing dot.

His head falls back on the headrest. “Christ, don’t remind me. She’s an annoyance too. Always getting into shit that doesn’t concern her.”

Satisfied that Onyx’s going to stay put, I lock the screen. “Mal’s a walking dumpster fire. The sooner she’s gone, the quicker shit will fall into place,” I assure him.

“I told G not to fuck with her. It’s pointless to screw around when you already know your future,” he grumbles, gripping the steering wheel until his knuckles turn white.

“I’m thankful Keegan’s a good boy because you bitch like an old lady. I’d have to ruin your pretty face,” I joke, hoping to get him out of his head.

Watching him deal with his dad over the dumb shit his twin sister stirs up stresses me out. And I hate it. We’ve been best friends our entire life. Basically brothers. His struggleseventually become mine, and vice versa. Gage didn’t get folded into the mix until we were older.

“Don’thatebecause myprinceworships me.” He chuckles. “Maybe if you weren’t so grumpy, your queen wouldn’t hate you,” he mumbles under his breath.

I flip him off before exiting his Jeep, and I can’t help but laugh.

He falls into step beside me. “Seriously, what’s the plan?” he asks, side-eyeing me.

Scratching the back of my head. “Handle my business so I can go play. I got a pumpkin to smash. I’ll hit you up later,” I answer cryptically, fist-bumping him before we split ways.

Dad’s voice echoes in my head while I scan the hallway, searching for my target.“End it. Make sure she understands where she belongs. Cinderella’s time at the ball has expired.”As if I needed him to remind me, I’d already started setting my plans in motion days before he decided to fill me in. Shit runs downhill fast at Edge, and I’malwaysthe first to hear.

I’m not surprised in the least to find her waiting beside my locker like the good little puppy I’ve trained her to be. She’s been a rash I couldn’t rash for too long. Hate’s the only thing she’s ever induced inside me. The so-calledemotionseveryone talks about are ones I’ve learned to fake to perfection.

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