Page 73 of Royal Havoc

My brows dip. “I don’t understand. Mom told me Hendrix was poor, and he was lucky she was paired with him,” I tell him, sniffing the drink he ordered me.

“It’s a Bitch in the Sticks,” he chuckles, raising his beer for a cheers. After he swallows his drink. “The four will always be men.”

I sip my drink, wincing from the burn as it trails down my throat. “Fine, always men. But what happens to the Whithe bloodline? Hendrix didn’t have a son,” I question, remembering what Nolan said about Mom being discarded.

Vex rests his elbows on the table, leaning closer. “His money, becomesyourmoney. Which transfers toourmoney,” he explains.

“And why was I given to you and not someone else? Do you get to choose or something?” I hiss against my will, loathing the battling butterflies filling my belly.

He smiles wickedly, enjoying the nerves I’m sure he hears lacing my tone. Shaking his head slowly, swallowing the drink he’s taken. “Don’t worry, little spade, you’re mine,” he rasps seductively. “The king always gets his queen.”

I take a drink, hiding the relief I feel washing over me. “That’s not an answer,” I press when he leans back.

“The money,” he answers simply.

Narrowing heated daggers at his face. “What about Carney? Or Zoey?” I ask mockingly.

His head falls back as he sighs loudly. He’s an idiot if he thinks I wasn’t going to ask about the bitch.

“Where are you going?” I call when he slides from his side of the booth.

“We’re gonna need some truth serum,” he advises me.

I watch him stroll to the bar, wondering if he’ll stop to talk to anyone along the way. What he’s explained makes sense. I’ve known money has always,and will alwaysplay a role in my life. I just never cared enough to learn the facts or the rules. But recently, I’ve decided I want to take a peek at the fine print.

Could I choose someone else?

Would you want to?

He sits down a tray of shots, making my eyes flair. “The fuck?” I gasp. “Have you heard of alcohol poisoning?”

He slides into his side of the booth casually, ignoring me. “Let’s play.” He smiles wickedly, wiggling his brows.

“What the fuck are we playing? Who vomits first?” I sneer, grimacing at his evil face.

“A newer version of Truth or Dare. Without the dare. You want a truth? You gotta pay with a shot.” He winks, relaxing against the booth.

Motherfucker!

thirty-eight

You Pick, I Pick

Vexen: 2024

If I didn’t think she'd claw my eyeballs out, I’d snap a picture. The anger I see pumping through her cold heart is enough to make me hard. Actually, everything she does makes me hard.

Hendrix told me to watch her and keep her safe while he and Dad took a quick trip out of town. Then he asked me to give her a history lesson. I can’t believe that bitch never told her anything. Nothing about how important she is. I’m guessing it’s because the bitch was jealous that she’d never shine as bright as her daughter.

My powerful queen.

“Are we doing this shit or what?” she asks angrily, glaring across the table.

I bite my tongue, barely holding in my laughter. “Ladies first,” I joke, nodding at the tray.

She surprises me when she snatches a glass and throws back the liquid like a champ. “Lemon drops? Seriously?” she scolds, stealing my beer to chase it. “What about Carney?” she asks evilly, sliding my beer back to me.

I lean on my elbows, watching her lick her lips, wishing it were me doing it. “The guys aren’t held to the same rules. She wasgiftedto me while you were away,” I answer, holding up a hand to stop her from arguing. “My turn.” Quickly, I down a shot. “Tell me about Franky,” I grit, slamming the small glass on the table.

---