Page 37 of Reign of the Queen
“What is this proposition? I think we’ve wasted enough time, and honestly, I am sick of sitting here with all of you assholes and your toxic masculinity.” I direct my question to Theo.
“One king,” he starts.
“One king what?” What does that mean?” Raegan interrupts, lifting her pastry from its plate.
Five sets of eyes turn to stare at her all at once. “Geeze, okay, shit. I’ll just shut up now.” She mimics zipping up her lips and takes a bite of the chocolate croissant she purchased with Theo’s cash.I notice she didn’t end up giving him back any change, smart biatch.
“As I was saying, one king. If you want to rule as queen of Casbury, you will need at least one king at your side to avoid a revolt. Pick a king amongst us four to help you lead and control the student body, and we won’t go to war against each other,” he says with all seriousness.
Raegan starts coughing from her side of the table, the croissant gets stuck in her throat at the shocking statement coming from Theo’s mouth. Before I can get up to help her, Carter is there tapping her on the back to clear the obstruction. Once I’m sure she’s not choking to death, I return my focus to Theo.
“Have you lost your mind?” “Absofuckinglutely NOT!”
“No, he hasn’t lost his mind, Mia, just listen,” Finn answers me with a deadly, serious expression.
“Oh my god, you’ve all lost it. Why the hell would I pick a king to help me rule? I don’t need a king to help me control the population of Casbury Prep. I’m doing just fine alone. Everyone at that school is scared shitless of me right now.” I can’t believe what they are even suggesting. They must be on some strong-ass drugs if they honestly think that I need them.
“Right now, you rule through fear alone. Your little demonstration with Maria worked to get you on everyone’s radar. But it cost you too, didn’t it? You’re a scary ass bitch with a powerful family, and you can wreak havoc on the lives at Casbury Prep. You don’t enjoy destroying people’s lives though. I’ve watched you the last couple of weeks, you took power, but you don’t crave it. It wears on you.” Theo reaches across the table as if to grab my hand.
I immediately take my hands off the table and put them on my lap, not wanting to be touched by any of them. Repulsion skates across my skin and makes my lip curl.
“What normal human being enjoys ripping people’s families and lives apart? Of course, I don’t enjoy it, but it’s a necessary evil, and it gets shit done.” I stare at each of them. “Like you four are any better? You terrorize and control that school through fear and intimidation. You’re no better than I am.”
I lift my eyes to Theo. I’m determined not to show any emotion. I try to cast the thoughts:I am not afraid of you kings. I will not fall in line with what you have planned.The air is practically alive with electricity between us, neither one wanting to look away first and break our stare-off. I don’t expect him to comprehend what motivates me, but I will not back down. I can’t. I break the connection and look at the other three at that thought.
“No, we aren’t any better, but we have had a shit ton more practice at it than you. Do you know what will happen if they start to revolt?” Finn cringes.
“What?”
“Hazing, bulling, even sexual assaults, complete loss of control. The strongest families will try to control each other. That was what Casbury was like before the four of us took power, fucking chaos. There were no reigning kings since our father’s generations,” Carter responds.
I raise an eyebrow. “You mean like your families do now? And for some reason, you think I can’t control them on my own? Why?”
“Yes, right now, the four of us control them equally. Can you imagine what will happen if more rise up to take control?” Mateo questions, eyes hardened and reduced to slits.
“It’s not that you can’t necessarily. It’s that youwon’t. Don’t get me wrong; everyone is wary of getting on your bad side right now. They will tiptoe around you, but do you really want to be fighting a war on multiple fronts?” Theo responds.
“Multiple fronts, because you assholes will be there stirring up shit, am I right?” Raegan queries.
“We will not let her take our crowns, Rae; you should have known that from the start.” Mateo glares at her.
“So instead, let me get this right, you’ll fight against me and provoke me?” I stare from one king to the other, my expression hardening.
“Your family is strong, Mia, even terrifying, but it’s not invincible; everyone has skeletons,” Finn adds.
I lean into the table, grinning at Finn. “How astute. How was your mom’s trip to the Maldives two years ago with her personal trainer, Finn?” Turning to look at Mateo and dismissing Finn, I say, “And you, your dad still in contact with his gun smuggling brother that’s wanted by the FBI?”
“What the fuck!” Mateo shouts.
Sitting back, I watch Mateo and Finn’s reactions. I’m just getting started.Come at me, bro-hoes. I dare you.
“You seem to know a lot about us, Mia, but you and your loved ones are not impervious to shitty behavior,” Carter responds, his elbows on the table, holding his chin in the palm of his hand.
“Oh?”
Theo’s gaze turns to Raegan, and I get a prickle of unease down my back. She’s a weakness for me, they know it, and I know it.
“Rae, did you know your dad has been fucking Samantha Highpark every chance he gets on our school grounds?” Theo throws out like venom and without warning.
