The Elite Kings Club

my first class. The walls are painted in classic whites and neutral colors, with all the rooms leading off it in similar hues. The gym sits at the end of the corridor toward the fire exit, and although I haven’t seen the boy’s hall yet, I have a feeling it is similar to ours. “You really don’t. I’ll be fine.”
“I just wanna get to know my new sister. That’s all.” He winks down at me just as we reach the doorway to my class.
“Fine,” I say, crossing my arms in front of my chest. “But I’m not good with people, just giving you a warning. I’m more the loner type.” He watches me carefully, his head tilting while he studies me closely.
“I can dig the lonely girl thing.” He winks at me again before turning around and heading toward the boys’ hall.
Why? Why did I have to get someone annoying like Nate as a stepbrother?

THE BELL RINGING BREAKS THE concentrated silence in the classroom as we all gather up our books. Tatum bumps my hip with hers, flicking her long blonde hair over her shoulder. “Lunchtime! That class almost killed me.”
I smile, collecting my pens and placing them on top of my books. “You say that in every class.” I roll my eyes as we begin retreating from the room.
She snorts. “That’s true. So, what’s your plan for after school? Nate Riverside is throwing a party this weekend, and I’m not usually one for going to any of these parties, and we might get kicked out, because we don’t hold the same status, but I feel like crashing. You in?” she asks, as we make our way to the cafeteria.
I roll my eyes again as we push through the doors. “That means it will most likely be at my house then.”
She pauses, her little hand wrapping around my arm. “Elaborate, Montgomery. What does that mean?”
“Nate,” I say flatly. “His mom and my dad are married. We live together, and before you jump down my throat, I only just found out yesterday.” Yesterday feels like a century ago, because of how easygoing Nate has been with me.
Her mouth drops to the ground. “Shut. Up.”
“What?” I reply, turning her toward the buffet. My stomach is grumbling, and because of skipping dinner last night, all I had in my stomach was the apple I power-ate this morning.
“Holy shit,” she whispers in shock. Her eyes lock back onto mine. “This is fucking awesome! We’re so crashing,” she squeals out in excitement.
“Um, Tatum? It’s not crashing if we’re in my house. He’s doing it on purpose, because our parents don’t get back until Monday.” We both pile our plates with the different variety of foods they have available. Sushi and exotic fruits? Am I in school or at a five-star restaurant?
“Holy shit. No, Madison, you don’t understand. These boys never—”
Fingers slide over my eyes, blacking out my vision. Tatum sucks in a breath. Lips skim over the back of my ears as a deep growl sounds. “How do you feel about incest, little sis?” Before his hands drop from my eyes, he laughs, stumbling backward. Tatum’s jaw is about to be permanently dislocated if she isn’t careful, and when I spin around to evil eye Nate, I’m cut off by the entire cafeteria and how it had grown almost silent, watching our exchange.
“The students of Riverside Prep are just pawns in their sick and twisted games. They own this school, Madison.”
“Nate,” I hiss at him. I haven’t managed to tell him yet, but I’d really appreciate keeping a low profile.
His smile drops. “What?” he asks innocently, much like a toddler who didn’t know he wasn’t supposed to eat a cookie before dinner.
I nod toward everyone watching us, and he shrugs, locking his arm around mine. “Come sit with us.” He looks toward Tatum. “You too, Masters.” Then he pulls me down beside him.
I drop my tray on the table, moving over for Tatum to take a seat beside me. Her arm brushes against mine stiffly. I can sense her discomfort and unanswered questions, but I can answer them later. Opposite me to the left, Bishop and then Brantley sit opposite Tatum. Beside Brantley is Hunter, Eli, and Cash.
I pick up one of my sushi rolls and bite down on it, trying really hard not to make a mess, but sushi being sushi, rice ends up on my lap. Nate’s talking about the party this weekend, and when I raise my eyes up to look in front of me, I’m instantly imprisoned by Bishop’s glare. His face is blank, filled with—nothing. His strong, chiseled jaw sits taut, and his green eyes remain glued on mine. I squirm in my seat, and Tatum looks at me sideways. Her hand goes under the table, and a second later, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I reach in to take it out when Nate looks toward me. “What do you think, sis?”
“Hmm?” I ask, annoyed that he’s interfered with whatever Tatum was about to say to me.
“What kind of alcohol do you want this weekend?” he prompts, his eyes drifting between both of mine.
Damn it, he’s hella fine.
I scowl at my inner self. The hell is wrong with me? He’s basically your brother, you fuckwad.
“Oh!” I smile, my cheeks heating. “I don’t really drink.” I clutch my phone in my hand, ignoring the dark green eyes that are still peering at me from across the table.
Nate scoffs, taking one of my sushi rolls and popping the whole thing in his mouth. “That changes this weekend. It’s Brantley’s birthday. We don’t usually throw parties”—the corner of his lip kicks up as a mischievous glint darkens in his eyes—“but we do birthdays.”
I swallow past the lump that has now formed in my throat. My eyes flutter to Bishop again to find him looking down at his phone. Dropping my eyes to my lap, I slide my phone unlocked to see Tatum’s message.
Tatum – No way
Me –