Cruel King (Royal Elite #0) - Rina Kent Page 0,103
in my veins like a hurricane. Then it hits me. The old Mercedes Nicole drove the other day was the same Mercedes I saw parked near our house a day before Mum’s accident.
“You manipulated my mother’s brakes, didn’t you?”
“I did that, too.” She smiles like a psycho. “Henry was planning to divorce me and marry her, so I decided to erase her. Pity you didn’t go down with her like a good little bitch.”
I scream and push past Dad towards her. I’m going to murder her. I’m going to choke her with my bare hands.
Dad yanks me back as Victoria’s stance widens in menace.
“Let me go!” I cry, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Dad, let me go!”
“Yes, let her go, Henry.” Her voice is soft, motherly almost. “If you do, we’ll finally be a family.”
“We were never going to be a family!” Dad’s voice rises. “The only family I wanted was Jasmine and Astrid.”
“No…” A tear slides down her cheek. “You only felt duty towards her because she trapped you with a baby.”
“There was no duty about Jasmine. She’s the only woman I’d ever love.”
“No. Henry. We’re a family.”
He shakes his head, his voice steel. “Not anymore.”
“You!” She screams aiming her shotgun at me. “It’s all because of you. I’m going to kill you this time.”
I swallow, my limbs shaking until it’s impossible to control them.
Dad stands fully in front of me until I can barely see anything.
“Drop the gun, Victoria.” He speaks low. “Don’t make this worse than it already is.”
She shakes her head frantically.
“The police are on their way.” He enunciates. “It’s over.”
“No! No! That little bitch doesn’t get to live her life while I rot behind bars.”
“Mother…”
All our attention snaps to the voice coming from behind Victoria.
Nicole stands on shaking legs with Levi and Dan behind her.
They came.
Tears fill my eyes. Levi returned for me. He didn’t give up on me.
Our eyes meet for the briefest second and in his light blue ones, I see concern and longing. Desperate, intense longing that matches my own.
“Nicole?” Victoria stammers. “Go back to your room, darling. I’ll take care of this and come fetch you, okay?”
“Mother, stop.” Nicole’s voice shakes with every word like she’s finding it hard to speak. “Please.”
“But, honey. I’m doing this for us. For your future. You will be a Clifford soon.”
“I don’t want to be a Clifford. I love Dad’s name just fine.”
“What are you talking about? That’s what we worked for.”
“That’s what you worked for. I only wanted to be free of all these shackles and protocols and wearing masks.” She hiccoughs. “I only put up with this life for you, Mother.”
“But… how about your future and the doors the family name will open for you?” She pauses. “We’ll talk about this later after I finish this.”
Dan nudges Nicole, and she winces before stepping forward.
“Mother, please.” She reaches a shaky hand towards her mother. “Uncle Henry always gave us everything we wanted, you can’t hurt him.”
“I won’t hurt him. It’s his daughter that I’ll kill.”
“Stop!” She shrieks. “Just stop it, Mother. I already lost my father, I can’t lose you, too.”
Victoria lowers her gun, tears shining in her eyes. “I… I did all of it for you, darling. I did everything so you can have a better life.”
“I know.” Nicole cries, pulling her mother into a hug. “I know.”
I gasp as Levi steps forward and yanks the shotgun out of Victoria’s fingers.
For a second, I think it’ll go off and kill him or Victoria will put up a fight and shoot him.
I only breathe in relief when it remains inert in his hold.
Dad pulls me to his side, his arms clasped tightly around my back in a protective hold.
I hug him back even though a part of me wants to run to Levi and kiss him.
Officers barge inside with the deputy commissioner on toll. One of the officers yanks Victoria’s arms behind her back and handcuffs her.
“Victoria Clifford, you’re under arrest for attempted murder on Jasmine Green and Astrid Clifford. You have the right to remain silent…”
As the officer reads Victoria’s rights, Nicole sobs begging them to let her go.
Even though I don’t feel the slightest sympathy for Victoria and I’m happy she’s finally getting what she deserves, I can’t help feeling bad for Nicole.
Life as she knows it is over now. She lost both her parents and there’s nothing she can do to stop it or turn back time.
Daniel clutches Nicole’s shoulder, yanking her back, when she keeps holding on to her mother.