Page 56 of The Lost Kings

Gio

PRESENT

I found my brother near the weapons room, discreetly filling a duffel bag with ammo.

“We stealing from them now?”

Kingston didn’t look up, just kept adding in more ammo. “We’re protecting them.”

Ironic how this was always supposed to be Presley’s role, and now we were the ones who were stepping in and ensuring everyone’s safety.

“Henry texted and said the team is ready to take back the Manhattan strip.”

I rolled my eyes, irritated that this was still something we were pursuing.

“She’s family, King. I think we should leave this one alone; besides, whatever men we have, we need to reserve for our fight against Adrian.”

My brother moved from one side of the room to the other. “Has Dad said anything to you about our new roles with El Peligro?”

I shook my head. “He and Mom are still going to the soup kitchen a few times a week to help Grandma cook. They don’t seem to notice the amount of men who have stopped showing up, or the lack of support from the rest of the community. If they have, they haven’t said anything.”

Guilt flared like a burn across my chest. It was never our intention to take the thing my father was given and that he’d turned for the better of the community and twist it back to what our grandfather had made. Once our dad found out, he’d be heartbroken.

“What did Presley say?”

I glanced up and met my brother’s gaze. “Exactly what you predicted.”

The hurt in his eyes had mine dropping to the floor.

“So what now?”

Like I fucking knew. “I think she’s still confused about us. She wanted to know where you were tonight. You’re wanting to ruin her, I presume?”

The duffel bag slammed down. “I want to fucking protect her. I want her to know that she doesn’t need Adrian Adesso, but you just proved that she won’t believe that even if we show her or explain it to her.”

I hated how his voice shook, how the pain so deeply rooted inside me was also in him.

“So we walk away?”

“No.” He zipped up the last duffel and hung his head. “We try one last time to make her hear us in the only way she listens.”