Page 40 of The Lost Kings
He stood between me and Scotty as if we’d attack one another or something. I was tempted, but the old man would still put me on my ass faster than I cared to admit possible.
“Scotty, you wanted her to get close to Adrian, why are you upset about this?”
His green eyes burned as they focused on me, his jaw popped. “She was supposed to get close to him as a cat would with a mouse itwanted to eat at some point. He was supposed to be toyed with, kept at arm’s length. She was not supposed to fall for him.”
“For the love of God, I didn’t fall for him!” My hand cut out in front of me, my anger barely leashed.
“You invited him into our home, Presley. This is where your family sleeps. While you may be creating an alliance with him, we do not trust him. We don’t trust any of them.”
I knew he was right, and deep down, shame threatened to break me open and reveal exactly why I was curling inside the shelter of Adrian’s existence. Was I using him as a means to escape?
Yes.
Was that just as bad as what Scotty had suggested when he mentioned toying with him?
Also yes.
“Look. I’m not ready to see the twins, and you summoned them home because I pissed you off. It’s going to be a mess, Scotty. A fucking mess. I need to leave.” My voice wobbled the smallest bit and I sucked in a sharp breath to keep it from cracking.
Dad scoffed, and it had me glancing over quickly. “So what, this is just how it’s going to be? They stay away because they’re upset or whatever reason they’re using to remain gone. You leave because you’re upset? At what point do we just go back to being a family?”
Scotty and I didn’t speak, but my mom made a humming sound before standing from the couch. “Kyle, you’re the last person to preach about this. You went three years without talking to me. If your daughter needs the space, then she can have it. Of all the things you’ve forced her body to endure, you have no right whatsoever to force anything on her heart.”
Dad’s expression crumpled a bit while Scotty’s didn’t change at all.
I didn’t need his approval. I ducked my head and backed out of the room before anyone else could argue with me.
My room was a mess with clothes strewn about everywhere, butI just continued stuffing my suitcases. I paused for a second to text Adrian.
Me: Can I fly back with you?
I needed my…what did I even need? Adrian had my preferred shampoo and skin care products. I even had clothes there. Honestly, I could just get on the flight and be fine.
Adrian: Don’t tease me, Presley. Are you really wanting to come to Italy with me?
My thumbs swiped quickly before I could think any more about it.
Me: Yes. I’m ready whenever you are.
Adrian: Dare I ask for how long?
I glanced over at the burner phone that Scotty had used and closed my eyes.
Me: A few months, I think. Maybe longer.
Adrian: I’ll be there to pick you up in thirty minutes.
A strange acheunfurled in my chest, one that had been there the night the twins left. The same one I had when I realized how they felt about me and how things really were between us.
It didn’t matter.
They had left and now I would too.
I zipped up my carry-on right as my door opened and Scotty entered.
“I know you’re mad at me, but I want you to know that everything I’ve done has been to protect you. I don’t want you to trust Adrian implicitly…he’s grabbed hold of some piece of your heart,Lánya, just don’t give him the whole thing.”
It enraged me that he could be so cold with me one second and then call me daughter in the next.
