Page 20 of The Lost Kings

Presley

PRESENT

T he mood in the manor was strained and awkward, at least in our family wing.

My mom sipped her coffee while sneaking glances at my dad, who was already watching her. He did that sometimes, and the secret smile between them was always something I hid away in my own mind as something I wanted when I found my forever.

Scotty was in the kitchen, making eggs, while Reaper and Rex panted near his feet.

Still in my pajamas and wearing slippers that looked like miniature Highland cows with fluffed little horns, I padded toward the family room and paused in front of my parents.

“I’d like to speak with you both about something important to me.”

Mom set her mug down while Dad did the same with his phone. “What’s wrong, honey?”

I’d been thinking about this all night, well, as soon as I woke up and realized what I’d heard through all the deleted voicemails.

Aside from the distance between the twins and me, they were likely under the assumption that I had merely been ignoring them all this time.

Unfortunately, part of that was true, as I could have approached Scotty much sooner regarding the messages; I just didn’t, and for that reason I was not prepared to see them.

“I plan on traveling to Italy for a while…perhaps a few months this time.”

I heard something crash in the kitchen as the skillet was tossed onto the counter. Scotty slowly made his way into the living room, dogs on his heels. I refused to look at him.

“Why the sudden desire to stay there for so long; you’ve only done a week at a time previously.” My mom’s brows caved like little caterpillars. I looked like her, almost identical if you asked some people. All of dad’s DNA was inside me, where I withstood all of Scotty’s torture.

Glaring at my uncle, I explained, “I just think it would be best if I took some time away from the manor for a bit. Scotty wanted me to create an ally with Adrian, and I have.”

“Like hell are you leaving. You’re staying right the fuck here,” Scotty seethed, pointing at the carpet.

My dad glanced between us, his forehead mirrored my mom’s, crumpling in confusion.

“What the hell is going on?”

All at once Scotty and I started yelling at the same time.

“He’s been keeping all the twins’ messages from me!”

“She brought Adrian here, to our home, where we live!”

My mom winced then moved to grab her mug while Dad rubbed his forehead.

“Okay, stop. Jesus. Just stop.”

He stood between me and Scotty as if we’d attack one another or something. I was tempted, but the old man would still put me on my ass faster than I cared to admit possible.

“Scotty, you wanted her to get close to Adrian, why are you upset about this?”

His green eyes burned as they focused on me, his jaw popped. “She was supposed to get close to him as a cat would with a mouse it wanted to eat at some point. He was supposed to be toyed with, kept at arm’s length. She was not supposed to fall for him.”

“For the love of God, I didn’t fall for him!” My hand cut out in front of me, my anger barely leashed.

“You invited him into our home, Presley. This is where your family sleeps. While you may be creating an alliance with him, we do not trust him. We don’t trust any of them.”

I knew he was right, and deep down, shame threatened to break me open and reveal exactly why I was curling inside the shelter of Adrian’s existence. Was I using him as a means to escape?

Yes.

Was that just as bad as what Scotty had suggested when he mentioned toying with him?

Also yes.

“Look. I’m not ready to see the twins, and you summoned them home because I pissed you off. It’s going to be a mess, Scotty. A fucking mess. I need to leave.” My voice wobbled the smallest bit and I sucked in a sharp breath to keep it from cracking.

Dad scoffed, and it had me glancing over quickly. “So what, this is just how it’s going to be? They stay away because they’re upset or whatever reason they’re using to remain gone. You leave because you’re upset? At what point do we just go back to being a family?”

Scotty and I didn’t speak, but my mom made a humming sound before standing from the couch.

“Kyle, you’re the last person to preach about this.

You went three years without talking to me.

If your daughter needs the space, then she can have it.

Of all the things you’ve forced her body to endure, you have no right whatsoever to force anything on her heart. ”

Dad’s expression crumpled a bit while Scotty’s didn’t change at all.

I didn’t need his approval. I ducked my head and backed out of the room before anyone else could argue with me.

My room was a mess with clothes strewn about everywhere, but I just continued stuffing my suitcases. I paused for a second to text Adrian.

Me: Can I fly back with you?

I needed my…what did I even need? Adrian had my preferred shampoo and skin care products. I even had clothes there. Honestly, I could just get on the flight and be fine.

Adrian: Don’t tease me, Presley. Are you really wanting to come to Italy with me?

My thumbs swiped quickly before I could think any more about it.

Me: Yes. I’m ready whenever you are.

Adrian: Dare I ask for how long?

I glanced over at the burner phone that Scotty had used and closed my eyes.

Me: A few months, I think. Maybe longer.

Adrian: I’ll be there to pick you up in thirty minutes.

A strange ache unfurled in my chest, one that had been there the night the twins left. The same one I had when I realized how they felt about me and how things really were between us.

It didn’t matter.

They had left and now I would too.

I zipped up my carry-on right as my door opened and Scotty entered.

“I know you’re mad at me, but I want you to know that everything I’ve done has been to protect you. I don’t want you to trust Adrian implicitly…he’s grabbed hold of some piece of your heart, Lánya , just don’t give him the whole thing.”

It enraged me that he could be so cold with me one second and then call me daughter in the next.

“I’d rather risk my heart with someone who wants it than live a life without one, like you.”

His gaze was soft as he stared down at me as if he realized he’d pissed me off enough that there was no coming back. I had forgiven him for holding their texts from me for several months. But calling the twins back here just to keep me in place was too much.

Turning my back on him, I continued to pack. Ignoring him, I didn’t watch to see what he’d placed on my bed, but as soon as he left, I turned around.

There on my luggage was a flower crown. It was one that I had made when I was little, made mostly of twigs, and woven in between the sticks were dried flowers that were crumpling and breaking.

That ache in my chest turned into a void.