Page 68 of Shattered Souls
“After that, he pulled me aside and said he was done with me. He can’t actually disinherit me. Well, he could, but he won’t. I’m his only heir, so for the continuation of the King line, he wouldn’t. But I’m essentially a King on paper only. None of the benefits—which basically just means no money. Which is fine. I make plenty from the fights at The Depot, and I have an inheritance from my grandparents that I can dip into when needed.”
“What about your mom? Doesn’t she have anything to say about all of this?”
He snorts. “My mom is drinking the same Kool-Aid as my dad. All that matters to either of them is their reputation and amassing even more wealth, which they don’t need. Anythingthat stands in the way of that, including their own son, is a threat.”
“That’s… messed up.” That is about the only way I can think to sum that up.
“Yeah.” He sounds more indifferent than sad about it. “I mean, it’s not like we were a close, loving family before. They’ve always been disinterested. According to them, they’ve done their job by producing an heir to continue the family line. They never really gave a crap about me beyond that.”
“You don’t sound like it bothers you all that much?”
“Because it doesn’t.” He shrugs. “Maybe when I was younger, but now… I prefer it this way. For as much as they don’t want anything to do with me,Idon’t want anything to do withthem.” He looks down at me, a softness in his gaze. “As far as I’m concerned, I’ve found my family. They’re the only ones I care about.”
Uncaring of the fact we’re on a public path in the middle of campus, I spin, bringing us face to face as I loop my arms around his neck. “Mm, I like the sound of that.”
His hands rest possessively on my hips, focus intent on me. “Good. ‘Cause that’s what you are. What Aurora is. Family.”
“Family,” I murmur, as though testing the weight of the word on my lips. My gaze drops to his lips, and he groans.
“James, you can’t do that here.”
“Do what?” I blink innocently up at him.
His gaze narrows, his hands squeezing my waist as though attempting to hold me at bay. “Youknowwhat.”
“Oh, you mean kiss you.”
“Yes,” he hisses. “That.”
I push my lower lip out in a pout. “Well, can I tell you I love you?”
“Fucking hell, Ry.” He sounds like he’s in literal agony.
“What?Youwere the one that so casually threw it out there before you fled out the door. I didn’t get to say it to you, too.”
“And you’re choosing this moment to reciprocate?”
I glance around as though only now realizing our location. “Seems like as good a time as any.”
With a grin tugging at the corner of his lips, he rolls his eyes, still holding me possessively. “Well, get on with it then.”
I flash him a full grin. “I, Riley James, am in love with you, Royce King.”
“So formal,” he teases, eyes shining.
“And I don’t care what any of them say. If I hear anyone talking smack about you, Iwillbeat them up.”
“My hero.”
“You better believe it.”
“Are you about done now?” He arches an eyebrow.
“Why?”
“So I can kiss you.”
My mouth drops open, and I gasp scandalously as I flick my gaze around our immediate area. “Here?!”
