Empire of Hate (Empire, #3)

by Rina Kent

But he is now, as he crushes my tears between his fingers with both care and sadism. “So you do cry.”

Dark. Dangerous. Deadly.

No matter what’s the case, know this, Nicole, I’m going to personally make your life a bloody hell. I’ll destroy everything you build and ruin any goals you’re aiming for.

Knox No, she’s a blonde. Ronan Isn’t he allergic to those?

He is, but this isn’t just any blonde. She’s the

original blonde. You know, the one who broke his heart.

Who would have thought she was the blonde who traumatized him to all blondes?

Apparently, Daniel is closed off about anything Nicole.

Here’s to Daniel curing his blonde phobia.

Being attracted to Nicole or even seeing her as a woman should be the last item on my agenda.

and if I didn’t know her better, I would’ve said she’s blushing. But Nicole fucking Adler doesn’t do any blushing or most normal human feelings.

And now, I’m too hopeless. Too involved. Too…obsessed.

I wish he saw something in me, too—anything. But if the only thing he sees right now is my body, then so be it. One day, it’ll be more. …Right?

“So what if you are? Is that a problem?” A strange gleam covers his face and takes refuge in his eyes. It’s almost…like possessiveness. “Could be.”

I’ll fuck you for every time you screwed me over.”

“Shhh. And you don’t have the right to call me that. We’re not friends, Nicole. Never were and never will be. I’m not of your standing, am I? No one is.”

I sit there and wait. And wait. But Daniel never came back for me. And just like that, I’ve become invisible again.

I jolt at the abrasive tone. What the hell is wrong with him lately? He acts as if my existence is the work of the devil and he’s the angel sent to wipe me out.

The green-eyed monster rears its head, filled with rage I’ve never experienced before. Is this what he called me in the middle of the evening for? Is this what I left Jay sad and heartbroken for? You know what? That’s it. I’ve had enough.

And because I’m vindictive, I’ve become colder to Nicole. I’ve turned her everyday life into hell and made sure she never goes home at a reasonable hour. Except for earlier today.

Until I had a glass of whiskey—or two, that is—and started imagining her with her “family.” The same family she was on the phone with the other day and called “hon.” No clue why, but I became equal parts annoyed and murderous.

“Back then, I was chasing an unreachable dream.”

It’s over. I erased her from my life. I fucking got over her. So why does she think she can walk back in and set each of my barriers on fire?

What do you care what happened eleven years ago when you never glanced my way?” I never glanced her way? What in the ever-loving fuck, and I mean this, type of crack is she on?

Ever since that night in his flat a week ago, he’s been colder than usual, standoffish. Proper insufferable. However, I took it all in. The jerk attitude and the snobbish tendencies.

It’s become a routine, especially since he completely abandoned Katerina’s restaurant and started to eat the meals I make. He even let me surprise him with what type of dish it would be.

Not once has he thrown out my food, unlike what he sometimes did to Katerina’s.

“Congratulations for finally figuring it out.” My plans fall to pieces in front of my eyes, and all I can do is stand there and watch, then silently mourn the pieces. Without being able to pick them up. “I hate you,” I murmur before I realize it.

“Your feelings for me or the lack thereof mean jack shit to me, Nicole.” I knew that, ever since a long time ago, but I still wanted to hurt him. Still wanted to sink my nails so deep into him, he wouldn’t be able to breathe without feeling pain.

“I should’ve never given you my lollipops,” I whisper quietly, lamely.

slipped one of my precious lollipops in his hand. In his bag. In his jacket. On the bench beside him. Anywhere. Then I stayed behind to see if he’d throw it away like he does with food when no one’s looking. But he didn’t. Every single time, he stuck the lollipop in his mouth and then crunched it instead of savoring it. He still ate it, which was all that mattered.

Not even after Daniel ditched me like a used condom—that

He’s back to being Royal Elite’s heartthrob, a charming athlete, and Astrid’s side piece.

I don’t even recognize myself around her anymore. Sometimes, I catch myself genuinely wanting to hurt her. Genuinely wishing she never came around. Genuinely wanting to push her into the pool.

Sometimes I wonder what she has that I don’t. What makes the hottest, richest boy in school and Daniel so wrapped around her tiny finger?

Both Levi and I turn at the same time to find Astrid standing in the entrance, her eyes wide and sad and angry and every emotion I’ve been feeling for the whole summer. When Daniel chose her over me. When Daniel abandoned me and went to her. I meet her gaze. How does it feel to be invisible to the one you like, Astrid?

I wouldn’t have finished the blowjob even if my life depended on it. I only wanted the rumors and to get either Daniel or Astrid so they could have a front-row seat.

You know, after you forgot about me.”

“Who told you I would let you touch me again? It was a one-time thing, so don’t flatter yourself.” My voice drips with cool venom, but it must be as cutting as his words, because his jaw clenches. “Is that why you’re moving on to Levi?”

If you’re doing this to hurt Astrid…” I’m doing this to hurt you as much as you hurt me. But I don’t say that, opting to remain silent.

“I prefer you leave me alone.” “I can’t.”

My heart that briefly revived to life shrivels again. “To Astrid.” “She called my brother over so he’d drive us home.” I shove him away, my limbs shaking so hard, I’m surprised they’re working.

I see it then. He desperately wants to believe that, he wants to believe that he wouldn’t touch me with a ten-foot pole if he had a choice. But he did touch me just now and he’s sober, which is why he’s frustrated. I don’t know whether I should laugh or cry.

“So that’s what the sucking Captain episode was all about? Getting Chris’s attention?” “Maybe it was.” “Best of luck attracting fucking losers.” “Seems I have a record with those.” I flip my hair. “I consider it pro bono work.”

then turns around and disappears. Again. Giving me his back. Again. And this time, I feel like I really lost a part of him. One I won’t be able to recapture.

But that’s probably as impossible as wishing Daniel would ever accept me. Like me. Want me. And not feel disgusted by it.

as if she was the wronged party in this. As if she’s the fucking victim.

Your whole second year in school apparently, because Daniel used to watch Nicole like a kicked puppy who was crushing on the prettiest Chihuahua.

“Don’t you see it?” A smirk tilts his lips. “You’re so into her, you fired her so you wouldn’t have to suffer by seeing her every day. I could’ve slapped any label on you, my friend, but a coward twat was never one of them. Until today, naturally.”

“I fired her because she’s incompetent.” “She’s the best assistant you’ve ever had. You know that, your few functioning neurons know that, and even your dick would know that, too, if you stopped fucking random brunettes and gave him what both of you truly want.”