Page 48 of The Lost Kings
My gut sank because I knew he was right. If I were going just to learn and keep my head down, that would be one thing, but I was specifically going to make friends, or hopefully a boyfriend.
“Besides, how fair would that be to the guy you kiss or end up dating? What if you develop feelings for him, and then he meets Scotty?”
A knot formed in my throat picturing that. Scotty would find a way to make him disappear. Anyone that would become a complication to me taking over the family would have to be removed from the equation.
“So what am I supposed to do?” I felt defeated and frustrated as I tossed my hand out toward King but glared over at Gio. “Haven’t you guys kissed girls before? I’ve seen you Snapchat girls…can’t you coach me without actually touching me?”
Their faces turned the smallest amount of pink before Kingston cleared his throat.
“Don’t confuse affection with distraction.”
I didn’t know what that meant, nor did I care.
“It’s still the same result either way. You guys get to live a life, while I don’t?—”
Gio cut in with a glare. “We aren’t the ones being groomed to take over a crime syndicate…don’t you think that might mean an arranged marriage down the line somewhere?”
I laughed, getting to my feet. “You know my dad would never agree to anything even remotely close to that.”
The twins stared at each other, not saying anything out loud.
I cut my hand through the air. “Stop it.”
Gio exhaled. “Look, we’re only trying to look out for you, same as always. This isn’t a good idea. If you need to be kissed that badly, then one of us will do that for you. No need to go to school for it.”
Something throbbed in my chest. A blazing fire, cooled with the calmest rain. If I were to dig up that crush that I buried so often, then I’d confess that I wanted them to be my first kiss, but I already knew how this was going to go.
Only one of them would do it.
Just one, and whoever didn’t kiss me, would break me.
I couldn’t do that to us…
Forcing my eyes shut, I practically begged them. “Will you please consider going? For me. Please?”
They glanced at one another before giving me a soft nod. Gio replied, “We’ll consider it, Pres. Promise.”
I watched him turn to go, feeling frustrated and strangely confused.
Without waiting for Kingston to say anything, I walked over tothe window and slid out onto the veranda where the rain began to pelt my face and soak my hair.
Chapter 18
Presley
PRESENT
The small bistro café was only a few blocks from Adrian’s villa, so I walked.
I wore a pair of sandals, a flowy skirt and small babydoll tank, which allowed the warm summer breeze to kiss my skin and tangle my hair. I closed my eyes and tilted my head back, remembering why I loved this place so much.
I’d arrived almost a week ago and since then, the only person I had heard from was my mother. We’d been texting and talking almost daily with no mention of the twins, Scotty or my dad. It was nice, like a tiny reprieve.
Adrian was helpful, funny and charming as always. He was also a tiny reprieve that I hadn’t known I needed. He didn’t ask why I suddenly wanted to come, nor did he push for anything more than what I’d already offered him.
After taking a seat at a small table and placing my order, I pulled my phone free to check to see if my mother had sent any other messages or if there were any updates from Carter. She felt guilty about her role in all of this, but not bad enough to stay at the manor. According to Scotty, she’d already left on some girls’ trip with herfriends. My screen lit up, but the text on my display wasn’t from my mother.
Gio: You ran.
