Page 50 of The Lost Kings
Dad dipped his chin to his chest and snorted.
Girls we made sure they saw us socialize with. Everything we did was on purpose and all of it was to always ensure it looked as though we played a part. If we had socialization skills and we made friends, perhaps we’d be given more freedom outside of the manor. Maybe dad’s men would stop following us around. However, we knew their scoffs had to do with this outrageous idea to attend high school when we didn’t need to.
“We aren’t really asking for permission,” I explained.
Dad’s eyes lit up as his chin raised. “To be clear, you’re still seventeen for a few more months, so youareasking for permission.”
Fuck.
“Dad,” Gio started before rubbing at his eyes.
Mom stood and let out a sigh. “Can you both just admit why you’re really doing this?”
No, because Scotty gave us a command that we both saw right through. He’d challenged Presley to get our participation, but what he was really doing was giving us an order.
Go with her. Protect her. Just like I had at that dance.
Instead, I replied, “I’d honestly expected you to demand we go.”
Dad laughed. “Why would we care one way or another?”
Mom glanced over, clicking her tongue. “Juan, stop it. Of course we care, especially if this is because Presley is going.”
Gio was quiet, so was I.
Dad finally stood and walked until he was directly in front of us. “You’re both like brothers to her, I appreciate that you’re willing to watch out for her, but you’ve got other things to focus on. She’s fine. I bet Scotty will even send Reaper with her.”
Hearing that dog’s name made my spine snap straight. I fuckinghated that dog, and I heard Presley mention sleeping with that demon more than once.
“Just the same, we’d like to go for a while to be sure she acclimates okay.”
Dad’s amber eyes searched our faces before he let out a heavy sigh. “I hope you know I’m going to owe Kyle fifty dollars for this.”
Fucking Kyle.
I rolled my eyes while Gio let out a snort. “Don’t care.”
We turned away and left our parents in the living room. Did we want to attend public high school after we’d already technically graduated? Fuck no.
But there wasn’t a universe in which we’d ever allow Presley to go without us. She didn’t realize this was just temporary, her wanting friends, attention. She had no idea what was in store for her the second she turned eighteen. We did, which was why we had to go.
We knew she could handle herself. She honestly could take us down with one move, but Presley had a heart made of cotton. If she were to hand it over to the wrong person, they’d pull it all out, uncaring that they’d leave her empty and hurt. She was different, and it was entirely likely that she didn’t realize it. While her heart was soft, her knuckles were torn to shreds and puffy, and the bruises on her face and body made her look like she’d just left a war zone.
But she was also beautiful in a way that defied logic.
I used to think it was just a phase I was in and there weren’t any other girls around for me to look at. Then I was exposed to them on Snapchat and whatever the fuck else, and nothing had made me feel the way she did when she entered a room. No person’s outward appearance took my breath away the way Presley’s did.
To the point where I’d get lost staring at her lips or watching how her nose crinkled when she came across something she didn’t like. I found myself aligning our homework schedules just so I could watch how she examined each page. How her lip would get pulled between her teeth while she tried to concentrate. Then she’d dosomething like ask me to walk with her in the gardens, and she’d mention plant names because she’d memorized them.
For me.
Just like she memorized planets and stars for Gio.
Love wasn’t really something I was familiar with, and I wasn’t sure it’s what I felt for Presley, but it didn’t matter.
Nothing really did as long as she was safe.
Which was exactly what we’d make sure of.
