Broken Kingdom (Royal Hearts Academy #4)(18)

I stick out my foot as she walks past me, relishing when she trips on her way to Oakley.

“I don’t need it. I was in there before you, remember?”

Morgan blinks, clearly caught off guard before she recovers. “Whatever.”

Rising on her tiptoes, she folds her arms around Oakley’s neck and plants a kiss on his lips. “What are we doing tonight?”

“Not sure.” He pulls her in for another kiss and I can’t help but notice the side-eye he gives me as he leans in. Like he’s intentionally trying to hurt me. “But I want more of these lips.” Reaching down, he grabs a handful of her ass. “You taste good, boo.”

I bet she does.

Smirking, I hold his gaze. “On second thought, maybe I should go fix my makeup since I never got a chance to...given I was getting my pussy licked and all.”

Morgan goes rigid.

Confusion spreads across Oakley’s face.

My smirk widens as I back into the bathroom and slam the door.

Mission accomplished.





Needless to say, things are the epitome of awkward after that.

Well, for Oakley and Morgan.

I’m happier than a pig in shit because I’m positive Oakley’s going to dump her ass before the night is over.

Happy Birthday indeed.

All smiles, I trot over to the grill and take a big bite of my veggie burger.

I wasn’t always a vegetarian, but ten years ago Liam decided he wanted to become vegan because his bleeding heart grew tired of people killing and eating animals.

The vegan stage didn’t last long though—the boy loved milk and cheese too much—but he pledged to stop eating meat altogether.

Jace and Cole would rather cut off their left arms than give up steaks and burgers, but I had no problem joining him in solidarity.

Because he was my big brother.

My favorite person in the world.

Given he’s dead, I suppose I could eat whatever I want, but breaking my promise to him feels wrong.

Absentmindedly, I reach for my St. Christopher pendant and the feather I wear on a necklace, but a familiar voice zaps me out of my thoughts.

“Happy birthday, beautiful!” Hayley cheerfully yells as she and some guy walk through the gate into my back yard.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Oakley tense up. Good.

Hayley is Oakley’s ex-girlfriend. Only unlike Morgan who was a mega cunt to me back in the day, Hayley’s actually a sweetheart.

Something tells me Oakley will always look at her as the proverbial one who got away.

Which makes her an even bigger threat than Morgan, and I need to keep her far away.

It’s just one of the reasons why I’ve taken her under my wing and have her believing we’re besties.

Besties who hook up every now and then.

Because the more she wants me…the less she wants Oakley.

And the more I corrupt her…the more dirt I’ll have on her.

Dirt that will hurt him.

I smack a quick kiss on Hayley’s cheek. “Hey.”

My eyes flick over to the guy standing next to her. He’s average height. Medium build. Dark eyes and hair. Not bad looking by any means, but far from my type.

However, he’ll do.

“Who’s your friend?”

She gives me a knowing smile. “Zack.”

“Hey,” he says. “Hayley’s told me a lot about you.”

Has she now?

Zack holds out his hand, but I dismiss it. “Good things I hope.”

He licks his lips, appraising me from head to toe. “Very good things.”

Yeah, the three of us are definitely going to have some fun tonight.

I’m about to take Zack’s hand, but Jace beats me to it.

He shakes it so hard he practically rips Zack’s limb off. “I’m her older brother.”

As if on cue, Cole slaps Zack’s back. Hard.

“So am I.”

Annoyance bubbles in my chest. Fucking vultures.

Wincing, Zack nods. “Hi. I’m…” His voice trails off.

“My new boyfriend,” Hayley cuts in, coming to his rescue.

Jace and Cole exchange a glance.

“Then I suggest you keep those eyeballs on your girl instead of my baby sister, pal,” Jace growls before turning back to the grill.

“Unless you want to lose said eyeballs,” Cole threatens before taking a ferocious bite of his burger.

Poor Zack looks like he’s about to shit himself. Pussy.

“All right, dial the testosterone down, boys,” Sawyer jokes, sidling up to her fiancé.

“Don’t mind them,” Dylan adds as she playfully swats Jace’s behind and kisses his shoulder blade. “They’re grumpy when they’re hungry.”

The anger in Jace’s eyes is quickly replaced by lust. Gross.

Sawyer plates two burgers and hands them to Hayley and Zack. “Here. They’re really good.”

Cole shoots her a death glare, but she rises on her tiptoes and kisses his nose. “Relax, Colton.”

My brother softens like butter in the midday sun.

If either of them are expecting a thank you from me for running interference they’d have better luck spotting a unicorn shitting glitter.

More uneasiness ensues when Morgan and Oakley walk over and load up their plates.