Page 27 of The Lost Kings
Presley flushed pink. “I guess he used it as a calling card for people…he tricked families into working with him and stole from them. He made a lot of enemies by playing them against each other. When he wanted to finally step away, I don’t think he could…he’s been trying ever since.”
“Get back to the gun, and why the hell you have it,” Kingston grumbled with a glare at Presley.
“That night that Dad got shot, Scotty knew they’d be followed. So, he drove behind the ambulance and we came upon this SUV that was behind them.”
“You were in the car?” My voice was too loud; I felt it, but I couldn’t quite piece together what she was saying.
“My parents were in an ambulance, you guys had all gone home. Where else was I supposed to go?”
I locked eyes with my brother, feeling like my heart had dropped into my stomach. We’d let her down, and we hadn’t even been aware of it.
Presley pushed on, dropping even more bombs that I felt hit my chest.
“Scotty needed help…”
Kingston stood to his feet and began rambling curses in Spanish while he ran his hands through his hair. “Tell me he didn’t place that gun in your hand and tell you to shoot someone.”
I watched Presley’s face carefully as a small red blotch started near her jaw.
“They were going to kill my parents…I didn’t have to see them or anything. I shot through their windows, made sure their car stopped.”
“Do you hear yourself?” Kingston yelled before storming out of her closet.
We both quickly stood and ran after him.
“Bro, what the hell?”
My twin spun around and I noticed there were tears burning in his gaze.
“So does this mean you’re in the mafia now too? Is that what you’re training for? You’re going to join them as they murder and kill people?”
Presley’s thick lashes fluttered against her cheek, and I couldn’t seem to stop staring at her eyes. “I’m not in anything, but I am learning how to protect my family.”
He walked closer to her, his chest heaving, then his voice rose. “Are you or aren’t you joining them? Is that why you have bruises all over your body?” He gently took her hand and lifted it between them. “Why you’re constantly tearing open and pushing yourself to every limit imaginable?”
Presley winced and tugged her hand free. I stepped closer and put my arm around her.
“Dude, chill.”
My brother’s eyes blew wide as he stared at me. “No! She can’t be like them. I won’t let her be like them.”
“I’m still me!” Presley screamed back.
My brother stepped even closer. “You’re not you. You’re the sunshine that warms the earth. You’re the breeze that lifts the scent of flowers. You’re the stars in Gio’s sky. You’re everything good in this world, Presley. That’s you. You’re not the weapon they’re forcing you to become.”
Presley’s face had more pink infused in her cheeks and neck, but her lips pursed in anger. Her fists were clenched at her sides, and her jaw was set as she watched my brother walk away. He ran up the stairs to her loft and crawled back through the window.
I pulled my best friend into my arms and held her.
She shook under me, inhaling a shuddery breath, and then her arms came around me. “I may be your stars, Gio, but you’re my sky. I look up and know if you’re there, then I’ll be okay.”
“And I always will be.” I held her tighter until I finally let go and eventually followed my brother out the window and back to our room.
Chapter 11
Presley
AGE 18
