Page 3 of The Lost Kings
“They won’t be involved…” I assured him, still staring down at Presley tucked between his two boys. “But they’re already extremely protective of her…”
Juan’s head snapped up as if he’d just realized what I was hinting toward.
“What are you going to do, train her the way Scotty trained you?”
Juan never knew the depths of what my uncle had put me through. He had an idea that it was rough, but I’d never really opened up to anyone other than Rylie about how gruesome his methods could be. While I didn’t want to consider my own child going through something that painful, I also knew firsthand how protective my uncle already was of her. Besides, there wasn’t anyone on this planet I trusted more than Scotty. The second he defied a direct order to hand me over to his boss, he’d earned my loyalty.
My body shifted; my eyes meeting his. “He’s the only person who could ever prepare her for what’s to come.”
Juan searched my face, understanding dawning on him. “You’ll allow him to essentially raise her, Kyle. Think that through.”
A strange throbbing sensation began in my chest at the idea of Scotty raising Presley. “Rylie and I aren’t going anywhere. We’ll be there to ensure she’s safe, that he doesn’t go too far. Besides, the boys will always keep her safe.”
“See what you did there by bringing my boys into it?”
Juan’s glare was severe as we stared at one another. He knew as well as I did that there would be no escaping the fact that his boys would naturally be drawn to protecting her. They already were and they hadn’t even turned seven yet.
The silence expanded only to finally burst as Juan shook his head. “Then perhaps I need to take them away from her.”
That throbbing in my chest became tighter just at the idea of him and Taylor leaving. We’d been through so much together, and while most of it was shit that got me shot, or nearly gutted like a goddamn pig, at least Juan was with me through all of it.
“You can’t separate them. You know that as well as I do.”
It was the only card I could really play. He and his family were free to leave, and they’d be fine, but Presley was an only child, andthe kids here made up her family. Not just the twins, but their older sister, Alex, and Presley’s cousin, Carter.
“Will you help me or not?” I interjected again, this time too loudly. Kingston stirred, which made Presley’s eyes flutter.
Juan stepped closer and softened his voice. “My boys are not to be a part of this. Any of it.”
“Understood.” My voice was gentle, but the way Giovanni’s eyes snapped open, you’d think he’d heard me.
I lowered my arms and pulled my daughter out from between them, which forced Kingston’s eyes to open as well, and now both twins were glaring at me as if I’d just stolen something from them.
Deep down I knew this bond between them would keep my daughter alive. Just as long as nothing happened to make them ever feel anything more than sibling affection toward one another, then we’d be safe, and this entire plan would work.
Chapter 1
Presley
AGE 16
Green stained the tips of my canvas shoes, effectively ruining them.
But I remained seated on the tiny knoll that faced the twins’ section of the manor. From this vantage point, I could see their back patio and I had a clear shot of Kingston’s garden. If they were to walk outside, they’d see me right away. Hell, even if they looked out their living room window, they’d see me.
I could walk up there, knock on the glass and have them open the door but that would require far too much pride. I couldn’t muster it after all the things I learned, and everything they said.
Please come out.
Please come out.
My fingers raked through the longer blades of grass as I waited, staring at the patio furniture outside their kitchen doors. Lights were strung up, stretching to cover the garden area too. I had a million memories of playing under those lights, of waiting for them to turn on so we could have s’mores together and plant things under the moon.
Now, I glared as if they were a problem about to disrupt my life. Ifthey came on, it meant my best friends had already left, and they’d done so without coming out here and telling me goodbye.
The blue in the sky turned into a dark pink, then to an orange. The cicadas sang around me, along with a few bullfrogs welcoming the night. My heart ached as if I’d physically pulled it from my chest and they’d taken it with them, packed away in one of their messy duffle bags, stuffed under a hoodie and discarded.
Forgotten.
