Page 22 of The Lost Kings
Kingston reached for my hand and gently pulled it into his while inching closer to me.
“I’m sorry I hurt your feelings.”
My pride was like a wall of granite, unwilling to crumble even for him, but I relaxed my shoulders and allowed him to trace lines over my skin.
“You can’t make fun of me when I dream, King. You’re one of my best friends, and they don’t laugh at each other’s dreams.”
He let out a sigh before dipping his head. “I have dreams too, you know.”
I glanced over, seeing the way the moon highlighted his profile and his strong jaw and dark brows. Something stirred in my stomach, like a batch of butterflies being released with nowhere to go. My face warmed, and my palms suddenly felt sweaty.
“What’s your dream?”
He faced me, a smile sweeping his features and transforming his face from handsome and broody to so remarkable that my breath hitched. “I dream of marigolds too…ones that sit on a kitchen table, plucked from the garden I grew. Wallpaper that has little prints of Highland cows and a pantry full of organic Cheetos. Sunlight soaking into plants in a home that smells like coconut and oranges.”
Just as fast as he’d faced me, he left me. Releasing my hand, he stood and walked closer to the edge. Meanwhile, I sat there, staring up at him, desperately trying to untangle his words.
Because his dream sounded an awful lot like…it was me.
Chapter 9
Presley
AGE 17
“You’re welcome for not coming with the jet to get you.” Adrian’s words dripped with sarcasm as he took my suitcase from me and walked us to his car. Two men waited outside of it, just like they always did.
“Hello, Benni. Renzo.” I smiled and ducked my head to slide into the back of the armored vehicle. Benni entered after me, sandwiching me with Adrian. Renzo slipped into the front seat.
“Hello, Ms. Presley. How was your holiday?”
“Thanksgiving was wonderful. Thank you.” The lie slipped from my tongue as easily as any others had. While I did just celebrate Thanksgiving, it was far from wonderful. The twins hadn’t come home, and I still hadn’t mustered the courage to ask Scotty about their texts. The entire manor was sad and empty, so I left early and decided Italy wouldn’t be so bad to spend some time in.
Anything to get me out of that house.
This marked the fifth trip I had made to see Adrian. Each month he’d send his jet and request that I visit for a week. Most of the visits I’d argue that I didn’t want to, and then Scotty would have to forceme for the sake of creating an alliance. This time, however, I had asked Scotty to set it up.
“I never understood the appeal of that holiday,” Adrian mused, sliding his knuckle under his jaw while looking out the window. He was baiting me into conversation and while I typically fell for it, I wasn’t really in the mood. I hadn’t ventured onto this trip because I enjoyed Adrian’s company. I hadn’t fallen victim to his outrageously good looks. I just needed out of the manor, and working on creating an alliance for my dad seemed to be a better use of my time than digging into the rotting wood of the farmhouse. Especially now that November had arrived and it with it, a deluge of rain that made tearing out old wood almost unbearable.
“You cut your hair.” I lifted my chin toward the man next to me and hated the flip in my stomach when he smiled back at me.
“You noticed.”
My eye roll wasn’t severe enough. I needed to punch him or kick him, but I wouldn’t. “Your hair was nearly longer than mine last time I saw you, so yes, I noticed.”
His chuckle was smooth and dark, and I had to remind myself not to trust it. He was playing me as much as I was playing him.
His villa was set against a sheer cliff with white-capped waves that roared beneath it. Two stories tall, with only a three-car garage, which meant this home wasn’t his primary one. It simply couldn’t be. He was worth well over twenty-five million, if not more, and between the staff he kept and the various businesses he ran, I knew he had various homes, including a few in the U.S. Yet he always made me come here to see him in Italy.
The car slowly veered in through the tall gates guarding his estate and pulled in front of the outlier garage. Once we parked, I slid out after Adrian and followed him up the cobblestone steps into his home. The foyer boasted with warm lighting, gleaming marble floors and extravagant artwork. I loved how peaceful his house felt, and while I knew I should go grab my things, I immediately started for my favorite view.
“I set your things in your room.” I heard Adrian’s soft voice from behind me while I stood on his balcony watching the ocean. Had enough time truly passed that I now had my own room in his house? A shiver worked up my arms as I tried to think back to our other visits. Late night evenings were spent by the fire playing chess. He took me to several vineyards and orchards…he’d taken me to a nearby stable and let me ride his favorite horse. I had accidentally left behind a set of my favorite leggings one time, and a pair of slippers another.
Shit. I had created a tiny space here in his home, and he’d let me.
Turning on my heel I gave him a friendly smile. “Thank you.”
His dark brows rose in surprise. “No eye roll or punch to the arm…shit, should I be worried about a knife in my chest tonight?”
