Page 52 of The Kings

“Could be someone aiming for a higher target, using you as a stepping stone,” Oliver says, his tone laced with an edge of steel.

“So, Dad, then,” I say with a sigh, having had a feeling it would come to this.

“Either way, we’ll smoke them out,” Tarquin says with lethal calmness.

“Don’t rule out someone new trying to make a name for themselves,” Raphael says, leaning against the wall with an air of casual intensity.

“Big leagues then,” I muse, crossing my arms over my chest. The idea sends a shiver down my spine, but it’s not fear—it’s the thrill of the hunt. “Someone who thinks they can unsettle the balance here at Castle.”

“Fuckers don’t know what they’re getting into,” James mutters, his gaze boring into mine, the intensity bordering on possessive.

“No, but we’ll show them they don’t mess with the soon-to-be Queen and her Kings.”

26

ELIZA

Methodically,I use Flick to slice through a crisp green apple, my back to the rest of the guys in the kitchen.

“You going to do one for me?” Oliver asks.

“Nope.”

“Go on. No one will ever slice an apple for me.”

“Go ask your mother.”

“She won’t do it either.”

“Well, guess you’re fucked then.”

“Bitch.”

“Fuck off.”

In the next second, I feel a tug on the back of my sweatpants and then a light slap as he lets them go.

Stabbing Flick into the remaining apple, I don’t turn around as I ask, “What the fuck are you doing?”

“Checking to see if you’ve got your sassy pants on today. And yep, you do.”

“Don’t test me,” I growl as the other guys snicker quietly. “My spice level is at ghost pepper level right now.”

“Ooh, have you ever eaten one of those? I have. It was a dare at boarding school.”

Wrapping my fist around Flick, still stuck in the apple, I turn around. “And you actually ate it?”

“Bit into it like an apple.”

“Then you’re a bigger ass than you look,” I say, taking a bite out ofmyapple.

“See, sassy pants.” He points to my groin.

“Go away,” I mumble between crunches. “You, on the other hand,” I point the stabbed apple at Raphael. “Need to get to talking.”

“About what?”

“What my dad wanted with you the other day.”