Broken Kingdom (Royal Hearts Academy #4)(89)

With a grunt, he hangs up.

“I gotta take a drive out to Santa Creek. I’ll be back later.”

I’ve quickly come to realize that take a drive is code word for make a drug deal.

“I can come with, if you want.” I sit up. “Maybe I can drive?”

“Hell no.” He locks my chin in his hand. “I don’t want you anywhere near this shit.” Closing the distance between us, he kisses my lips. “I’ll bring back dinner for us though.”

I palm his cheek when he starts to pull away. “I hate that you’re still working for Loki.”

Not only could he get in trouble one day, but being around drugs all the time has got to be torture for him.

He’s been doing so good and I don’t want him to slip up.

“I don’t have a choice,” he says as he types out a text on his phone. “I need the money.”

“Well, I have plenty of money at my disposal.” Waggling my eyebrows, I lower the bedsheet, baring my breasts. “And as long as you promise to keep doing that thing I love with your tongue, I have no problem sharing some with you.”

He watches beneath lowered lids. “Thanks for the offer, but the thing I do with my tongue is on the house.” Reaching down, he gathers me in his arms and swats my behind. “However, the thing I can do with my dick?” Shivers run down my spine when he locks his arm around my waist and drags his teeth along the nape of my neck. “That’s gonna cost you, baby girl.”

“Name your price,” I breathe, because I’ll pay just about anything to experience it.

Groaning, he unfastens his arm and I fall back on the mattress. “Don’t fucking tempt me, Bianca.” The look he gives me could melt a glacier. “If I stay in bed with you any longer, your virginity will be gone faster than the coke I’m dealing these rich boys partying on their daddy’s yacht.”

I’m about to ask him why losing my virginity to him would be such a bad thing, but he heads for the bathroom.

Disappointment flickers in my chest when I hear the shower turn on a moment later.

Swear, sometimes holding on to him is like trying to hold on to a cloud.

I debate getting dressed and heading home until he comes back, but I notice Oakley’s cell on the bed.

I manage to swipe it before it times out and the screen locks.

Thinking quick, I pull up Hayley’s name and type out a text.

Oakley: Meet me at the park at nine so we can talk.





It takes Hayley all of one second to respond.

Hayley: I’ll be there.





Another one quickly follows.

Hayley: As usual you’re the only one I can count on. You’re like my knight in shining armor.





I grit my teeth as yet another text comes through. Clingy bitch.

Hayley: I really don’t know what I’d do without you.





Rolling my eyes, I swiftly delete the exchange.

And then, I join my man in the shower.





The look on Hayley’s face when I step out of my car is priceless.

“I’m sorry, were you expecting someone else?” I taunt as I walk over to the bench she’s sitting on.

Her eyes narrow into tiny slits. “What are you doing here?”

I place my hands on my hips. “Look, I’m gonna make this real simple. Oakley and I are together now, so if you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave him the fuck alone and stop blowing up his phone with your desperate little lies.”

Crossing her arms, she stands. “And if I don’t?”

Given the bitch is well aware that her father is responsible for my mother’s death, there’s no point beating around the bush.

“I’ll not only tell everyone that your father took advantage of one of his patients and do everything in my power to have his license revoked…I’ll inform your mom he’s an adulterating piece of shit.” I flash her some teeth. “Oh, and I’ll release the videos I have of you doing the kinds of things disgusting old men would love to jerk their pathetic little cocks to for years to come.”

Hayley doesn’t look the least bit worried by my threat. “No, you won’t. Because then you’d have to admit to everyone that your mother was nothing but a psycho whore…just like her daughter.”

My hand is wrapped around her throat so quick it takes us both by surprise. “Say that again,” I urge, tightening my grip. “I fucking dare you.”

“Do it,” she croaks. “Put me out of my misery.”

For a moment, I debate granting her wish, but quickly come to the realization that burying her body somewhere they’ll never find it is going to take some strategic planning on my part and she’s honestly not worth the effort or the potential jail time.

Begrudgingly, I release my hold on her. “How the hell can you stand there and defend someone like him?”

I’m not being rhetorical either. I’m genuinely curious how someone can still manage to love someone like that.

“I’m not defending him.” Her face is filled with sadness as she rubs the red spot on her neck. “I’m just good at keeping his secrets.”

I’m not sure what that means. However, the crestfallen look in her eyes makes something in my chest twist.