Page 41 of The Lost Kings

Gio

I stared at my brother as he hung his head and propped his elbows on his knees.

We were both simmering after Presley left, unsure how we’d go back to a party celebrating us.

It was all just a ruse, a way for us to be alone with Presley, maybe dance with her and not have anyone question why.

Our hope was to find her in here and convince her to spend time with us downstairs after Carter and our big sister left.

I love you.

“We need to go after her,” I muttered quietly, a knot forming in my throat.

The look on her face, the way she dug into our chests and didn’t see what we were hiding from her.

Of course we loved her back; we’d both been in love with her for longer than either of us understood.

We were completely undone by her and she stood there accepting the trivial truths we tossed at her as a way to guard our own emotions.

Kingston’s eyes were red as he looked up at me. “And say what? We did the right thing…we can head off, let things cool down for a few weeks and come back with a new plan. ”

“What plan could possibly undo what we just did to her?”

My twin suddenly stood and yelled in my face. “We had no other option but to release her. The shit’s about to hit the fan the second we get home. You know I’m right.”

Deep down I did.

We’d tasted forbidden fruit, now we’d be held accountable for it. Our time in Eden was over.

We arrived home an hour later, leaving our party early and asking all of our guests to leave. Our shirts were untucked as our heads hung low and we made our way into our living room.

Sure enough, our dad was waiting for us, so were Kyle and Scotty.

I inhaled a sharp breath as I stared at the duffle bags on the floor, packed and ready to go.

“What’s going on?” I asked, eyeing the men in the room.

Kingston froze once he caught sight of the bags.

Dad let out a heavy sigh before standing. “I warned you both when you were younger that you couldn’t interfere with Presley’s training.”

“We haven’t,” Kingston snapped.

Kyle glared at us as if we were enemies of his. “She came home tonight and explained that she’s done training. Done with everything.”

Shit.

King glanced at me, and I stared back.

“We’re aware of what’s transpired between you…she fell for you both, and you each allowed it. She’s in a dangerous position to have her heart broken,” Scotty explained calmly.

“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 thief instead. 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. She is no longer your concern.”

“ She’s our 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 sending us 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.

She’d be mine and only mine.

I already prepared in my head what I’d say to her in the call I’d make tomorrow. I’d make sure she understood we’d be back, and this was only temporary.

Frustration burned under my chest, reminding me I had no other choice and that I could only hope she saw this the way we wanted her to. If she didn’t…then we’d ruined the best thing that ever happened to us.