Page 82 of The Lost Kings
“We would never—” I started, but Scotty suddenly stood.
“You already did!” He pointed at me, glaring murderously. “You acted as protector but decided you’d slip into her heart and play thiefinstead. She is too young to be loved by either of you, much less both.”
My brother scoffed, tossing his suit jacket to the ground. “So what, you’re sending us away?”
Our dad’s jaw tensed as his red-rimmed eyes seized us. Something dark and dangerous swept through me, seeing him inspect us the way he was. As if we were the problem and not the reason Presley had hope. The reason she could dream and still be a girl who opened her heart for love.
“I warned you.”
“Fuck this, we aren’t going!” Kingston roared.
Kyle yelled back, “You are! She needs space, and you will give it to her or I will remove her from your life and you will never find her again.”
My heart lurched at the prospect of losing her and never finding her again. I examined Scotty, seeing the truth in Kyle’s words. His uncle would do it…he’d take her and hide her away, regardless of what she wanted.
“And if she refuses to train even after we leave?”
Scotty replied, “Then we’ll respect it, but I already know she’ll be back in that sparring ring the very next day. Give her time to work through the idea that you two could actually be her future.”
Sorrow apparently had sharp talons and teeth that could cut through skin and bone because fuck it hurt to hear him say that. I wanted to give her the future she asked for, but she tethered it to us both and I didn’t want to share her. I refused to, even if it was with my twin.
I stepped forward first and dipped down to grab the strap of my duffel bag.
“Where are we going?”
My father’s arms were tight across his chest, but as he stared at me, I saw his chin tremble. “Mexico, you’ll stay with family for a month or two. Then you’ll both come back and we’ll deal with what’s in front of us. Just take some space.”
Slinging the bag over my shoulder, I turned back toward the hall. “I have a few things to collect.”
My twin didn’t move. His fists curled at his sides as he held Kyle’s angry stare.
“What will you tell her?”
“That’s no longer your concern.Sheis no longer your concern.”
“She’sour best friend. You can’t pretend our past didn’t happen. She’s a part of me as much as Gio is, or Alex. I want to know what you’ll tell her.” King’s voice cracked, which made my chest ache.
Scotty smirked and threw his arms open. “Feel free to text her. Call her. She’ll still be available to you to contact. We’ll tell her tomorrow that you’ve left.”
I spoke up, clarifying, “She thinks we’re leaving tomorrow evening.”
Kyle glanced at Scotty who gave us another reassuring smile. “I’ll let her know first thing in the morning that you had to leave sooner. She’ll understand. Trust me, nothing will happen to your friendship.”
Kingston finally stepped up and picked up his duffle bag. “You’ll tell us if she’s in any danger, or you need us?”
“I doubt anything will happen in a mere two months, but yes, I promise I will let you know if there’s ever any danger.”
That was all we could ask for.
Alex suddenly appeared in the hall, and I walked into her arms and hugged her goodbye. My mother was there next, her blue silk robe had a hole in the pocket from when we’d used it for part of our pillow fort. Seeing her wear it made my eyes burn. Presley was the one who’d used it as a pretend sail.
“I love you,” Mom whispered while holding the back of my head.
Dad came up and clapped my back before saying, “Be careful…it’s easy to get lost out there once you leave home, even if it’s for a small amount of time. Remember where you’re anchored.”
I gave him a firm nod, trying to make room for love instead of the burning anger simmering in my chest. I hated that he was sendingus away, forcing it. We were going to leave anyway, but on our own terms, and we wanted to take Presley with us.
“I love you, Son.” Dad hugged me and I wrapped my arms around him, wishing I could go back in time to when I was younger. Back to when I had a chance to brand myself on Presley. I would have made her fall in love with just me, and I’d never have to risk losing her to Scotty or Kingston.
