Page 73 of Deviant Reign (Knight's Ridge Empire 6)

Sucking in a deep breath, I turn back to the traffic and roll my shoulders, hoping to relieve some of the tension that’s locking my body up tight.

“Just focus on beating these arseholes. Enjoy the weekend. Give her some space and then start again Monday. Everything might be different by then.”

“Yeah, she might have run away again. Or worse,” I say quietly, so only he can hear me.

“She won’t. She’ll be there waiting for you,” he assures me.

“I can’t believe she’s not coming,” Alex says, bravely poking his head between our seats.

My grip on the wheel tightens once more to stop me from planting my elbow in his face and breaking his nose. It’s mostly only the thought of all the blood that stops me from doing it.

“I thought she’d want to come and hang with the girls at least.”

Silence ripples through the car as thankfully, the road opens up before us, allowing me to put my foot down and get to All Hallows’ stadium in the nick of time.

The three of us barrel into the locker rooms while Coach is giving everyone else a pep talk. If looks could kill, the one he gives us as we crash through everyone to get changed would put us six feet under in a heartbeat.

“I know there’s an unhealthy rivalry between us and them,” Coach continues, “but I do not expect any foul play on the field. Do you hear me?” he booms before a quiet round of agreement ripples through the team. “If I catch any of you doing things you shouldn’t be, you’ll be benched for the rest of your Knight’s Ridge career. Got it?”

“Got it, sir,” I shout, spurring the others on to agree with a little more seriousness.

After a little more encouragement, he finally lets us out and we jog down the tunnel toward All Hallows’ more than impressive stadium.

I hate to admit it, but it makes ours look like a cheap copy.

The crowd goes wild as we emerge. The majority of our sixth form bailed on school at the first opportunity this afternoon to be here for this duel, although we’re still well outnumbered by the home crowd who boo us with aggression.

“Thompson,” I spit, my lip curling back in disgust as I approach their captain.

His eyes hold mine as his teeth grind.

The last time I saw him, he was running away from Emmie like a pussy after his dumb-arse cousin had spiked her drink. Something I’m going to ensure he doesn’t forget any time soon.

Although, I quickly learn that he’s got his own agenda when he opens his mouth.

“How is Emmie? I’m looking forward to seeing her again,” he taunts. “We can trade stories about putting you on your arse.”

I suck in a deep breath through my nose as my fingers twitch, desperate to curl into fists ready to fly toward his face like I should have done that night.

“Aw, not embarrassed are you, Cirillo? It doesn’t make you any less of a man if your girl can put you down, much. I bet Daddy is mortified.”

“Shut the fuck up,” I growl, taking a step toward him.

I might be taller than him, but he’s got a few pounds on me and I really don’t fancy my chances right now.

“So where is she?” he asks, looking over my shoulder to search the crowd.

“She’s not here, so you can stop hunting. The thought of seeing you again put her off.”

A smirk curls at his lips.

“Sure. So it’s got nothing to do with trying to get away from you then?”

My lips part to come back at him, but Coach shouts from the sideline and someone throws the ball at my head. Alex probably, from the smug-as-fuck look on his face when I glance over.

“We fucking playing this game or what?” he barks.

“Yeah, we are,” I mutter, turning back to Thompson. “And we’re going to fucking ruin you.”