Ruthless Kings of Obsession (Leighton Royals University #3)

Prologue The Flames Of Victory

~ G EMINI~

Victory….

This must be how it feels.

The elation of achieving something so grand and yet impossibly unachievable.

How many hours did I spend thinking this through?

The patience.

The constant reminders.

Again…and again…and again.

So much time wasted being humble and humiliated.

But look at this grand display of revenge.

Stunningly satisfying.

The flames dance across the massive screen, their orange glow reflecting in my eyes as I watch my carefully orchestrated plan unfold.

Around me, the horror-struck gasps of thousands echo through the stadium, but I remain still, transfixed by the display.

Beautiful. Haunting. Perfect…so fucking perfect.

I fight to maintain my shocked expression, though inside, euphoria courses through my veins like liquid fire. Years of torment, of being belittled and broken by Domino, culminate in this single masterpiece of revenge.

The best part of it all is this is only the beginning of my true plan.

Right now, this is only the climb.

My tainted obsession…

"Oh my god," someone whispers behind me. "Is this real?"

Very real .

Oh so fucking real that it’s hard to not get teary-eyed at my cunning accomplishment. To grasp all the steps needed to get this magnificent outcome, and the best part of it all is knowing there’s no way to be traced.

I remembered Hannah's precise instructions, the careful timing, the meticulous planning that went into every detail. She had been my silent partner since day one, but who possibly new we were even acquaintances?

Absolutely no one.

She understood exactly what needed to be done without me having to voice it.

My fingers trace the crystal bunny on my jersey — Matteo's number glittering under the emergency lights. The power outage had been essential, creating the perfect canvas for this reveal, an illusion of pain and mayhem that would lead all eyes to this grand screen for further instructions.

I dare to glance at Domino across the ice and I get to enjoy every slow second of his burning demise. To see the shock settle into the lines of his handsome face. To watch the panic and fear settle within the depths of his pupils that are growing wide by the second.

To witness how he takes what’s being played and recorded, and it isn’t long before he grasp the situation at hand.

The chaos ensued to all those he yearned to impress and be favored by.

Now that dream is exactly that.

A dream that is being shattered before my very eyes.

Delighful.

I don’t expect for him to look my way — almost as if he’s searching to see my reaction to it all — but when he peers in the direction where I stand like a statue, I give myself a few seconds ponder whether he deserves mercy.

In a flash, I think of the past.

Think of all the instances where he belittled me like a broken doll that didn’t deserve an ounce of love. The mocking laughs, the constant torment, the days and nights where all I could wonder was whether or not I had the strength to live another day.

All because of him.

He was a disease that sought to ruin me. To break every piece, taint every organ, leave me until I couldn’t dare grasp for breath in this menacing world that gives no damn about anyone who isn’t deemed rich or beneficial.

Not once did he look into my teary-eyed flushed face and give me an ounce of pity.

So why should I?

It made me want to laugh. To giggle and manically laugh to the rooftops at this grand finale that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

But I know better.

Know how this sinister world works where vengeance isn’t as easy as it seems.

There’s repurociations waiting for me to endure and survive from.

Something I’m ready to face if it gives me this new sense of elation I’ve finally gotten to experience.

Sweet Victory that’s so fucking sweet, I could get addicted to its delightful nectar.

When our eyes lock, in that moment, I allow myself to drop the mask of innocence.

Let him see the truth in my gaze — the calculated vengeance, the satisfaction of watching his world crumble. I know he understands from how his eyes further widen to the maximum they can possible reach.

How the understand clicks in his features like a flick of a lightbulb.

I know what’s running through his mind.

Can see how he’s trying to figure out how I pulled the strings to all of this when I’m but a useless Maiden who walked into their lives and became the puppet they yearned for.

How could I outsmart him?

Out smart everyone.

That’s the problem with men like him. Those who belittle us women as if we don’t have minds of our owns. That all we’re good for is fucking and being little submissives. He never thought I could be worthy of orchestrating something so devastingly grand like this.

You should have killed me when you had the chance.

The stadium's backup generators haven't kicked in yet, leaving us in this suspended moment of chaos. There’s no point of me staying around to see the crowd and how they’ll react in disgust now that they got a taste of Domino’s true character. It’s exactly why I ensure to wear the biggest grin Domino has possibly seen grace my lips. For him to enjoy the sight of my prevail.

Checkmate , my Ruthless King.

I begin my departure, taking in that last lingering stare with the bully I’ve conquered in this humiliating conquest, moving ever so slowly until I’m forced to pull my eyes away. My heart is beating like drumsticks hitting a set repartee, making my ears ring as my blood pumps through my veins with adrelaine.

Through the darkness, I notice movement to my far left — Zander making his way toward me through the crowd. All we need is one look.

One solid look.

It’s amazing to see the difference between Domino, my failed Ruthless King who believed he could reach so far in this game, versus Zander, who has pieced together everything before anyone else could figure it out.

He knows.

Of course, he would figure it out first .

My brilliant, observant King who sees through every deception.

Breaking eye contact is harder with him. I’d be lying if I acted as if I don’t seek his comfort. Yearn for his praise. To see if he’s going to shun me away like the rest of the world and belittle my senseless need to get vengeance after so many years.

Maybe I’m a bitter bitch…

Not Maybe.

I am.

Yet…

The idea of his rejection makes my heart quiver with actual worry.

Proving I'm in love with this ruthless bastard who is as psychologically insane as me.

The real question popping up in my mind is whether my insane obsession will be a turn off for him?

Runaway.

Yes.

My mission for now is complete. It’s over. I can hide and continue to act innocent.

Even at the cost of my Ruthless Kings…

As much as I aim to convenience myself the truth in those words, I’m struggling.

I don’t want to leave them…

Abandon what I’ve suddenly gotten comfortable in.

Their love. The lust. The immense tension and the constant uncertainty of danger.

Addicted.

I’m fucking addicted.

I have mere moments before he reaches me before I need to play my next move.

"Miss Prescott." Hannah's voice comes through my earpiece — calm and collected. "It's time."

I take one last look at the screen, at the evidence of my transformation from victim to victor. The frightened girl with pigtails and glasses is gone, replaced by something far more dangerous.

A Queen who brings not just Havoc, but Obsession.

"Coming," I whisper, already moving through the panicked crowd toward the predetermined exit.

“Eva.”

Behind me, I hear Zander calling my name, his voice urgent and yet at the same time calm? It’s most a mindfuckery because I can’t tell what’s going to happen.

Will I be punished? Will he stop me from moving on to the next step of my cunning plan? Or…will he support the rise and fall of Domino Prescott.

The man he once claimed was his brother….

It’s a shame to admit the truth.

I can't stop now.

The game is far from over.

Let the real Obsession begin.