Both my brows hitched now, and I figured it was probably a safe assumption this girl was friends with Claudette.
“Actually, as the Arbon Academy ballot winner I haveeveryright to be here. So I’ll repeat myself, what the hell is your problem?” I was being sarcastic because it was pretty clear what her problem was. She was an elitist and thought that the ballot was watering down the royal and aristocratic gene pool. It was a common view shared among upper aristocrats but, interestingly enough, rarely by the royals themselves. The fact that every prior ballot winner has gone on to marry into the royal families proved that. I wasn’t sure if any had ever married a crown prince though--they usually stuck to their own. The very reason I’d been wary of Alex initially.
The girl sneered again. “You think you’re so fucking special because you’re spreading your whore legs for Alex, but just wait until you end up like Jasmine, broken to pieces at the bottom of his staircase because he couldn’t control his jealous rage.” She smirked and leaned in closer like she was telling me a secret. “You know she was pregnant when she died?” Her face was so smug I couldn’t help myself; I tipped my tray just enough that Mattie’s drink over-balanced and dark brown soda poured all over her skimpy black-and-gray miniskirt. Oops.
The girl howled with rage, but I was already moving past her. If I engaged any longer, I was likely to strangle the bitch.
When I made it back to Mattie, my hands were still shaking and my jaw hurt from how tight I was clenching my teeth. Jasmine had beenpregnant? Alex had not mentioned that in his version of events.
Could it be true?
And what the fuck had that chick meant about Alex’s jealous rage? I’d never seen that side of him…
“Girl, what took you so long?” Mattie asked as I sat down heavily. “Oh, you didn’t get me a soda? Damn, I should have asked for one.”
I shook my head, numb and incapable of words just yet.
“You okay? You look… pissed.” She frowned at me with genuine concern, and I swallowed past all the icky, negative feelings swirling around my gut. I couldn’t tell her what that bitch had just said, not with how quick they all were to judge Alex. Mattie hadjuststarted tolerating him for me.
“Yep,” I replied with a tight smile. “Just one of Claudette’s buddies harassing the peasant. I might’ve dumped your drink down her shirt. Sorry about that. We can share mine.”
Mattie snorted a laugh, but nodded and stuffed a nacho in her mouth.
On the field, it looked like the players were getting ready to head back out. A few took sips of water, some tightened the laces on their boots, and some chatted. Alex looked up at us again, found my eyes, and blew another kiss before he ran out onto the field. It was almost enough to chase away the uncomfortable feeling churning in my gut. Almost.
Until Rafe caught my eye. He was glaring up at me with such open hostility that a shiver of apprehension rolled through me. What the fuck was he so upset about now?
Jordan was saying something to him, his face hard, and as he spoke he gestured vaguely in Alex’s direction.
“I wish he’d admit that Alex didn’t killanyone. Rafe’s so fucking prickly and for exactly zero reasons.” I grumbled as Rafe finally looked away from me and followed Jordan out onto the field. I didn’t need to specify whichhimI was talking about. Mattie knew.
“Don’t hold your breath,” she replied with a dry voice. “Somehow I think the addition ofyouhas only made things worse.”
I scowled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Damn girl, do I need to spell it out? Rafe wants to fuck you. Has ever since you arrived here. The fact that you’re with Alex is just… fuel on the fire.” She shrugged like this was common knowledge, but my face heated.
“What? No, he doesn’t!” But already I was thinking about the way he’d pressed his body to mine this morning, how he’d threatened to slide his hand down my jeans and— “That’s crazy talk.” I didn’t sound convincing.
Mattie just laughed and shrugged. “Whatever. You’re with Alex, and you guys are so cute together it kind of makes me gag. Rafe will probably pick up some groupie chick after the game and fuck you right out of his system. For the next day or so, anyway. Until you two get into another argument.” She seemed to find this all kinds of funny.
“Right.” I murmured my agreement, but fuck me if her words didn’t make me want to scream in horror and frustration. Why did the idea of Rafe fucking some other girl make me feel so… damn…violent?
Huh. Maybe that’s what he’d meant when he called me Violence.
Chapter 23
The Arbon Royals won the match three to one, and I discovered I genuinely loved the game of soccer. It was exciting and fast-paced and theboys… dear god. How had I come so far in life and not appreciated the sheer masculine beauty of male soccer players?
Mattie was jumping around and cheering with everyone else as the two teams shook hands on the field, and I was grinning so hard my cheeks hurt. Internally, though, my whole body was alight with nervous butterflies.
The game was over, which meant my fight was almost here.
“Oh shit!” Mattie gasped, and my attention flew back to the players.
A second ago, the Arbon Royals had all been celebrating and congratulating each other on their win. Now? Now there was a full-on brawl happening on the field.
“What’s going on?” I asked, hoping she’d seen something I might have missed.
