Page 25 of The Broken Queen
“Alex can have your room if you’re comfortable with that, Presley,” Adrian offered.
I gently gripped his wrist. “I don’t want Renzo or Benni here until Alex leaves.”
He didn’t even hesitate before agreeing. “Understood.”
I was about to walk past him when his hand came to my hip. “I understand your need to settle your friend in, but please come back to me tonight. I think we need to talk.”
Yeah, we had a lot of things to talk about. I nodded solemnly before walking up with Alex toward the guest suites where my old room resided. There were no guards on this floor, and I appreciated that. I didn’t want Alex to feel like she was trapped or being held hostage like at Markos’s house.
The second we entered the room, Alex pulled her cell out and began dialing. She paced the room while she waited for the phone to connect, and I immediately went to the closet where I had hidden a few weapons.
“Dad. I’m okay.” I heard her rushed words, on the verge of panic. I pictured Juan’s face and how he’d probably pulled Taylor over so they could both hear what was happening with their daughter. Thinking of them, however, made my mind wander to the twins, and a sharp pain pierced my chest just like it always did.
The words they’d said in that room after they’d taken my virginity. After they’d taken something so precious and all so that Adrian wouldn’t have it. How they’d pulled a gun on Scotty when they said we’d have to choose where we stood.
“Can you tell them not to come. I mean it. Presley and I will figure this out, but if you or anyone comes, it could make things worse. Just lay low and let me be here for Presley.” I heard Alex say to someone on the phone.
I paused mid-pull as I removed the box that had two handguns inside.
“I mean it, Gio. Please do not come here.”
I slammed my eyes closed and continued to pull on the box until I had it out and was checking the two guns inside. I heard Alex say her goodbyes, and then it was quiet again.
“Here.” I handed her a pistol. “Keep this on you. There’s pepper spray in here and a knife.”
Alex glanced down at the weapon and gently set it on the bed. “I didn’t sleep at Markos’s house aside from maybe nodding off.”
“When did you arrive?” It had to have only been a day or so.
She toyed with the edge of the comforter on the bed and yawned. “A week.”
I swung around, my mouth agape. “A week?!”
She nodded. “I was so scared, Pres. I kept thinking that it would lead me to you, but then another day would pass. I was trying to plan my escape, but I knew it was going to take some time.”
Silence stretched between us while I bit down on my tongue. I was so angry.
How had I allowed this to happen? The twins had warned me, and I went with Adrian anyway, and now their sister was?—
“Stop blaming yourself. I know you’re doing it,” she joked, light heartedly.
Tears burned the backs of my eyes as I moved to the dresser and pulled out a few clothes I still had. Alex was taller than me, but I had shorts she could wear and a few baggy T-shirts. Most of which were her brothers at one point, but I wasn’t going to mention that or say anything about it. I doubted she would either.
“Here’s some clothes. The bathtub in there is divine, and after you’re done, I can talk to Leon, Adrian’s chef. He makes the best food,and he’s so sweet. I can have an entire meal sent up to you so you don’t have to leave the room if you want.”
Alex nodded and then pulled me into a tight hug. “I’m serious, Pres. Stop blaming yourself.”
“How?” I choked out. “How do I not blame myself? This is exactly what they warned me would happen.”
Alex pulled back and swiped at my tears. “Adrian didn’t even seem to know it was going to happen, so I’m not sure my brothers had the whole story. Also, at what point were you going to tell me that things between you and my brothers got romantic?”
My face flushed so pink that I had to take a few steps away.
“I mean, I always had a sneaking suspicion that you had a crush and I knew at least one of my brothers liked you, if not both, but I never assumed?—”
“It was complicated,” I blurted, mortified. “It started when I went to high school, and I just wanted a few typical experiences. I didn’t know the twins would refuse to allow just one of them to?—”
“Oh my god, stop. I’m okay without knowing all the details. I just wish I would have known that your heart was broken beyond just the best friend left behind. I would have tried to be there for you a bit more, that or I would have gone to hunt down my idiot brothers.”
