Page 61 of The Lost Kings
Gio
PRESENT
T he smoke billowed from my joint as we watched Presley greet Adrian with a kiss and he began to pack things into the back of his car. She wore her hair down in pretty waves that bounced against her back.
“I heard her tell her mom she was only going to go with him for a week or so then she’d be back.” Kingston blew out a cloud of smoke, mirroring what I was doing, his gaze pinned on her just like mine was.
“We won’t be here.” Our mother had put up a picture today that was meant to taunt us, and we knew she did it as a way to get back at us for reviving El Peligro, but it still hurt.
In the image, she’d caught both Gio and I staring over at Presley while she was staring at the camera.
It made us look like lovesick fools, and I suppose that’s exactly what we were.
“What’s the plan now since we lied to them about not using El Peligro to protect her?”
We had lied. I knew Kingston was trying to save face; I would have done the same, but the truth was, we never wanted this power unless it meant we could have Presley .
Kingston took another hit of his joint. “We need that strip in Manhattan; we’d have enough weapons if we took that back.”
“So we go to war with a motorcycle club then?” That didn’t exactly sound smart, but I knew El Peligro could handle it. Henry would help us ensure we had enough men to win.
Kingston continued to stare at the car Presley had just gotten in and then blew out one last smoke cloud. “We do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Even if it means we lose ourselves along the way.”
He tossed his smoke down, but I kept mine between my lips, watching as the black armored car rolled down the drive.
They weren’t listening to us about Adrian, and it was the most danger they’d ever placed Presley in because of it.
Just the idea of her going with him to Italy terrified the shit out of me, but there wasn’t anything we could do beyond building our strength in El Peligro and coming for him.
The calling card for El Peligro was the king of hearts, perhaps that’s all we were now.
Just two lost kings in search of our broken queen.
Grab Book Two Here
While you certainly don’t have to read what the twins do next with that motorcycle club, you might enjoy it.
My Darling Mayhem picks up right where this story ends and will bridge the gap between The Lost Kings and The Broken Queen.
It’s a great glimpse into how the twins process Presley’s absence in their lives and their new role in El Peligro.
My Darling Mayhem
Here’s a sneak peek:
Wre n
"You need to listen to me, Henrietta. I have tried to stop them.
I have done all that I can do, but a war is on its way.
You need to be as far away from him as possible.
If he really loves you, he knows I'm right.
You and Cruz need to leave with us and go back to North Carolina, so you remain safe. "
Archer cleared his throat, and I felt his hand find mine, lightly tugging me back. But I had to ask because I was so confused.
"Juan, who's leading El Peligro now, and wh?—"
A clicking sound started near the front door, making me stop mid-sentence. All of us turned toward the sound, and I watched in horror as my deadbolt slid back and the knob turned.
Archer shifted in front of me, pulling me behind him right as my mother ran around me into Cruz's bedroom. My heart was in my throat as I tried to process what was happening, but it was all too fast.
"Fuck." My brother spat, running his hand through his hair while he took a position to stand in front of Archer, and a mere two seconds later, I realized why.
My front door opened, and a younger version of my brother stepped inside.
No.
Two near-identical versions of my brother stepped inside my house, smiling as if they'd found something extremely amusing.
"Hola, Daddio." One of them gave Juan a nod while swinging his focus to Archer.
He was taller than my brother but years younger.
He looked young, maybe eighteen or in his early twenties.
His dark hair was thick and swept back, similar to my brother's.
His skin was lighter, though, and his eyes were blue, which he must have gotten from his mother, or so I assumed.
He wore a black hoodie over black jeans and thick boots.
The second twin stepped in, somber and seemingly more serious.
His attire was identical to his twin's, but his hair was shaved closer on the sides and left longer on top.
His eyes were amber like his father's, and like mine, and his skin was more tan than brown.
But what set him apart other than his hair and eyes was the scar that ran through his left eyebrow.
The way he watched us and surveyed the room gave off a sinister feeling.
Fear slithered into my stomach, deep down grabbing hold of old memories and tossing them around in my chest like shrapnel.
These boys had the same look in their eyes that my father used to get.
These boys were the leaders. While they hadn't said it, I knew it in my bones.
My brother couldn't control them…and they were his sons.
This was bad.
Juan's jaw flexed as ten men filtered into my house behind my nephews. Finally, there was silence once the door was shut until Juan spoke up.
"I told you to give me tonight."
The one with blue eyes clicked his tongue. "Father, you should know that we don't bend to demands, even when they come from you. We know you have a soft spot for our aunt." His eyes flicked over to me quickly, then back to his father. "Whereas we do not, seeing as we've never met her."
Archer started laughing, making my head snap over to him. "These are the new leaders of El Peligro? Your sons. These are the ones you can't control?"
The twin with blue eyes seemed amused and took a step forward.
"Tía, you may want to slide to the side if you don't want to get blood on your face.
By the way, I'm Giovanni. You can call me Gio.
It's nice to finally meet you. My mother will be happy to hear that you're well. She's requested we keep you that way."
Archer produced a gun, and in the blink of an eye, it was pointed at my nephew's head.
"My men will be here in thirty seconds if I don't check in with them. I suggest you leave before this turns into a blood bath."
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