Page 43 of Royal Havoc

My phone vibrates in my hand, but she returns, plastering on her best version of a Joker smile. “It’s on the house, dark queen —”

“What did you just call me?” I hiss accusingly, blinking at her smiling face.

Her brows shoot up her forehead, eyes flaring wide as her smile melts from her pouty lips. Sliding the to-go cup across the counter. “I said, it’s dark bean. Drive safe, sweetie,” she tells me dismissively, already staring over my head at the person walking up behind me.

Darkness wraps around my insides, twisting my gut into sickening knots. Anxiety uses my spine as a ladder, leaving my steps unnoticed as I blink at the side of the Jeep, wondering how I got here.

Needing the cool air, I turn, leaning my back on the door, and breathe in until my lungs are full and ready to explode. Slowly, I count to seven before exhaling, starting the process over again.

I’ve gotta get some sleep soon, shit’s getting crazy.

My phone vibrates in my hand, reminding me of the earlier notification I ignored. Climbing into the driver's seat, carefully placing the steaming cup into the holder before swiping the screen to life.

I’m surprised to see two texts that aren’t from Nolan. I figured it was him telling me what he had found out about the privacy.

Your King: Don’t be late

Your King: I’m gonna enjoy making you pay

When the hell did he put his stupid contact in my phone?

Anger covers me like a warm blanket, melting away the last bits of anxiety into forgotten puddles. My nails smack at the screen, the tapping filling the silent cab.

Me: Poor and Lonely - How pathetic.

Immediately, I lock the phone and toss it into the passenger seat as I pull out of the small gravel lot.

I take my time gathering my things, strolling into the polished maze without a care in the world.

Fuck him and his worthless threats.

Although, I hope to get lost in the crowd and slip by the psycho unnoticed. I’d at least like to finish my coffee before dealing with his brand of crazy.

Bodies fill the senior hallway, gifting me the perfect cover as I make my way down the center. I’m enjoying my stroll until, out of nowhere, the bodies in front of me split, dodging an obstacle like a rock in a stream.

Vex stands dead center, watching me saunter towards him. Zoey’s twin and douchy boyfriend perched behind him like warriors ready to storm into battle.

My eye starts to twitch as I narrow my gaze. “Move,” I huff, trying to step around the three of them.

He slides to the left, shaking his head. Silver blazing down at me. “What did I tell you last night?” he growls, staring at the strip of belly my crop top’s showcasing.

Annoyed that he’s treating me like a child, but proud of his reaction to the outfit I selected. It’s got me teetering between happiness and anger.

Taking a sip of my coffee, pretending to think. “Say it again. Maybe I’ll remember this time,” I finally answer, innocently batting my lashes at him.

His jaw muscles flex, turning his stare hotter than the sun, while he drops a bag at my feet. “Change. Now,” he orders hatefully, and I swear my eye twitch jumps to an astronomical rate.

“I’m not a sad puppy whimpering for your attention,” I throw out lazily, sipping my coffee, noticing the stream of bodies turning stagnate, clogging the hall.

“You’ve got thirty seconds before I do it for you,” he grits, daring me to disobey.

Our eyes collide, brows raised. “You wouldn’t.”

He straightens, smiling evilly. “Zeke,” he says, and the asshole moves like a panther, stalking behind me to box me in.

Vex reaches for the hem of my skirt. “Stop!” I order through gritted teeth, catching the obnoxious blonde bitch cackling behind him with her clown Mal. He pauses, watching me bend at the knees and scoop the bag from the floor.

“Here,” he says casually, snatching the to-go cup from my hand.