Deviant King (Royal Elite #1) - Rina Kent Page 0,109

— or third — beer.

She might be an Elites’ fan, but she doesn’t care much for the Premier League.

While Ronan and Xander shout, curse, and throw chips and snacks everywhere, Kim watches them with keen interest like they’re the game.

In a way, they make an entertaining show. When Arsenal is on the run, they kick balls with them. They throw imaginary free kicks and bump shoulders when something good happens.

I’m laughing by the time they sing along fan chants in an off-tune. Kim laughs, too, with her eyes half drooping. When she finishes her beer, Aiden pushes another one into her hand and she accepts it with a sloppy smile.

I cut him a glare. “Are you trying to get her drunk?”

His cold gaze remains on the screen, but he doesn’t appear all that interested in the game. “She’s already there.”

“Aiden.” My voice lowers as I half-turn so my back rests against his bent thigh. “What are you doing?”

His metallic gaze slides to me in a slow, predatory way. Just like that, Aiden’s loathsome, psycho side comes out to play. Just because I overlook his nature sometimes doesn’t mean it disappears.

“Do you agree to what I said earlier?”

“Not until you tell me why.” I thin my lips in a line to avoid lashing out on him and causing a scene.

“Wrong answer.” And just like that, his attention shifts back to the game.

I push away from him, but he traps my elbow in a deathly grip, forbidding my escape.

With a frustrated sigh, I scoot closer to Kim as much as his clutch allows.

Her navy blue striped dress reaches the middle of her thighs and is bunched at the bottom. A flush covers her cheeks and her pupils dilate. She’s definitely at the drunk stage.

I try to snatch her beer away. God knows what Aiden has put in it. I want to think that he wouldn’t hurt Kim and that he’s not the type to drug women, but he’s a psycho demon who doesn’t stop until he gets what he wants.

Kim isn’t a person to him. She’s just a means to an end.

She pulls her beer closer to her chest and pouts as if I wanted to take her favourite toy.

“Kim. Come on, you drunk enough.”

“Nah-uh,” she slurs. “I’m totally sober, Ellie.”

For the next few minutes, I try and fail miserably in breaking her up with her beer.

Aiden watches with that emotionless coldness that I want to slap off his face.

I don’t know how he figured out how Kim becomes wild when she’s drunk, but he’s using it for his advantage.

The first half of the game ends with nil to nil. Xander and Ronan finally sit down. Ronan devours chips like a starved soldier at war while Xander throws hard glances in Kim’s direction.

When the European Anthem plays, she staggers on unsteady feet and sings her heart out with it. In slurred German. I knew she has German classes, but I didn’t know she’s this fluent.

Ronan puts a hand on his heart and places the bowl of chips up as if it’s a cup and sings along. In gibberish.

Cole chuckles “Well, what the hell.”

He stands so Kim is between him and Ronan and sings Ode de Joy in a more perfect German than Kim’s — though it’s probably because he’s not dead drunk like her.

“Don’t kill my vibe, Captain!” Ronan throws a chip at him. “Sing in the gibberish version we all know.”

I laugh both at his silliness and at Kim’s easy smile and slurred words. It’s worth it if she’s having a good time.

I attempt to stand and join them, but Aiden grabs my arm and stares at a solemn-faced Xander. “Hey, Knight. Maybe you should take Reed home before her parents worry.”

“No!” I shout at the same time as the song cuts off.

All eyes turn to me as if I’m the maniac who just suggested that Xander, Kim’s archenemy, should drop her home.

My cheeks heat as I cut Aiden a harsh glare, he would’ve been flamed or even embarrassed if he were anywhere near a human being status.

I jerk to my feet and pull him outside of the room. I’m surprised he follows without a word.

“Don’t move, Kim,” I tell her and address Xander. “And don’t touch her.”

Cole nods in my direction as if in assurance. I don’t know why I trust him, but I do.

Ronan seems oblivious to the whole mess, busy stuffing his mouth with chips and snacks.

Once we’re outside, I slam the door shut and walk into Aiden’s