Page 56 of The Lost Kings
“These are your childhood friends?” Adrian asked. His unspoken question tangled in my chest like a pair of loose wires. He’d already confessed feeling insecure over these two friends of mine, and now they were in his home, without warning and taking me away.
Guilt pricked sharp and painful in my gut.
“Yes, this is Kingston and Giovanni Hernandez,” I explained, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
Their gazes were both locked on where my hand held Adrian’s, and where his hand cupped my knee.
“Hernandez. That’s familiar…” Adrian tilted his head, then squeezed me back, intertwining our fingers.
I was about to explain their connection to my family through the charity their parents ran when Adrian froze under me. It was as if he’d just realized something.
Kingston gave him a deadly smile. “Yes, I should hope so. We’ve recently had business together.”
My head swung inspecting Adrian, and then Kingston. I was out of the loop in a major way. A way that might get me killed if I wasn’t careful. Adrian’s odd behavior only worsened as he removed his hand from my knee. “Yes, well what can I do for you two?”
I was deposited on the seat cushion next to Adrian. I ignored what it implied that he was suddenly creating visible distance between us.
The boys looked so intimidating sitting next to each other. Like two strokes of dark shadow, here to steal the light.
“We’re here to accompany Presley back home. We have a bit of a family emergency.”
Adrian’s gaze cut over to the side of my face. “Is that so?”
My chin dipped, playing along. “Yes, unfortunately. I just got off the phone with Scotty who confirmed it.”
“Well, I would have flown you back. No need to have sent these two.” His jilted tone was harsh, and I could understand. This was an odd way to handle something like this; we had to assume that Adrian wasn’tstupid and would see through these antics. Which he would. However, there was something else going on here that I was missing. The twins had been up to something, and my gut told me it wasn’t good.
“I’m sure he didn’t want to impose, knowing you have a busy schedule.” I smiled, while stroking Adrian’s hand, tangling our fingers together. Usually he’d hold on, and even flirt with me, but this time he pulled away and stood.
“Well, your guests just arrived, surely they can spend the evening here before flying back.”
Kingston stood, then Gio did as well. I watched their muscles move under their shirts, and the denim across their legs go taut. They both had on dark boots that were unlaced and loose. They looked like they did in high school. Too dangerous and too gorgeous to be real.
“No need. We have a jet ready to go. As soon as Presley is packed, we’ll be on the way.”
I joined everyone by standing and let out a sigh. “Well, I already packed because Scotty called.”
Adrian’s gaze cut to me quicky before swinging back to the twins. His jaw popped as a muscle twitched.
“Of course, well, I certainly hope all is well back home.”
Gio walked toward me first, placing his arm around me. “Thanks. We’ll be on our way.”
As much as I knew they were both worried about something I had no knowledge of, I couldn’t just pretend like Adrian didn’t exist, or that he wasn’t someone important to me. He’d been there for me this past year while they had not. So, I spun under Gio’s arm and walked back to Adrian until his arms came around me.
“I’m sorry.” My muttered response went into his chest where just an hour ago I had watched water trickle down from the pool.
His lips pressed into my hairline as he muttered a reply, “I just want you safe,la mia Bellezza. Get home and call me. If you need me at all, I’ll come for you.”
Leaning back, I was about to thank him when he dipped his face and kissed me.
His lips were warm and firm as his hands went to my hips, but I was tugged away just as swiftly.
Fire trapped behind glass met me as my eyes flew open. Kingston’s eyes burned, and it seemed as though that fire had escaped, and I was sure he’d burn Adrian to the ground where he stood. Kingston’s jaw clenched, and the anger radiating from him made chills run down my arms. I was poised for whatever fight would break out between the two or if one of Adrian’s men would try and shoot, but my best friend merely dipped his head then tightly held me to him.
Kingston’s hand was around mine as he led me back toward the hall. “Sorry to cut all this shit short, but we have a jet to catch.”
Guilt bloomed in the very place I had once nurtured my obsession for him, for his brother. I used to feel shame over feeling things I shouldn’t for two people I lived with and grew up with, but now…after everything, that guilt was only pinned to the fact that the twins and I kept hurting each other.
