Page 39 of The Lost Kings
Kingston broke the silence. “I think we’d miss you.”
“Can’t you guys follow me here?”
I smiled, turning my head. “Both of us?”
She tilted hers to match my gaze. “Yeah, can’t just have one of you.”
Kingston tugged her so she turned her face toward him. “We’ll always have the sky, Pres. Even if you choose Mexico and it doesn’t choose us. We’ll have the sky.”
“I can’t imagine a world without you two,” she whispered after the breeze skimmed over us in cool waves.
Glancing over at my brother, I suddenly wished I hadn’t looked. Pain that mirrored something in my chest stared back and suddenly us fighting over her felt stupid. I didn’t know what her future held, but I knew who controlled it.
Scotty would get to determine where she ended up, and deep down I already knew it wouldn’t be with either one of us.
Chapter 15
Presley
PRESENT
The mood in the manor was strained and awkward, at least in our family wing.
My mom sipped her coffee while sneaking glances at my dad, who was already watching her. He did that sometimes, and the secret smile between them was always something I hid away in my own mind as something I wanted when I found my forever.
Scotty was in the kitchen, making eggs, while Reaper and Rex panted near his feet.
Still in my pajamas and wearing slippers that looked like miniature Highland cows with fluffed little horns, I padded toward the family room and paused in front of my parents.
“I’d like to speak with you both about something important to me.”
Mom set her mug down while Dad did the same with his phone. “What’s wrong, honey?”
I’d been thinking about this all night, well, as soon as I woke up and realized what I’d heard through all the deleted voicemails. Aside from the distance between the twins and me, they were likely under the assumption that I had merely been ignoring them all this time.Unfortunately, part of that was true, as I could have approached Scotty much sooner regarding the messages; I just didn’t, and for that reason I was not prepared to see them.
“I plan on traveling to Italy for a while…perhaps a few months this time.”
I heard something crash in the kitchen as the skillet was tossed onto the counter. Scotty slowly made his way into the living room, dogs on his heels. I refused to look at him.
“Why the sudden desire to stay there for so long; you’ve only done a week at a time previously.” My mom’s brows caved like little caterpillars. I looked like her, almost identical if you asked some people. All of dad’s DNA was inside me, where I withstood all of Scotty’s torture.
Glaring at my uncle, I explained, “I just think it would be best if I took some time away from the manor for a bit. Scotty wanted me to create an ally with Adrian, and I have.”
“Like hell are you leaving. You’re staying right the fuck here,” Scotty seethed, pointing at the carpet.
My dad glanced between us, his forehead mirrored my mom’s, crumpling in confusion.
“What the hell is going on?”
All at once Scotty and I started yelling at the same time.
“He’s been keeping all the twins’ messages from me!”
“She brought Adrian here, to our home, where we live!”
My mom winced then moved to grab her mug while Dad rubbed his forehead.
“Okay, stop. Jesus. Just stop.”
