Page 26 of The Broken Queen
I sat on the bed, letting out a sigh I felt like I had been holding since that fateful night when I was sixteen. “Your parents knew.”
Her head snapped to the side, inspecting me. “They did?”
“I overheard them talking the day of the twins’ eighteenth birthday. I think they got sent away because I refused to train anymore…they hated that I was training so hard and for this future.” I let out a pathetic laugh.
“A lot of good any of that training did me. Scotty never told me what to do if my enemy had a family member on the table while worrying about protecting another.”
Her fingers came around mine in a tight squeeze. “I’m sorry you had to do that tonight, Pres. I’m sorry if me coming here has made things harder.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I’m glad you’re here. More than you probably know. I’ve missed you.”
Alex began wandering around the room, touching little trinkets and necklaces. “Christmas felt weird this year. Do you remember when we used to do those tree decorating contests?”
A laugh bubbled up out of me as I took a seat on the edge of the bed. “Gio and Kingston always tried to win by teaming up.”
Alex smiled as she turned toward me and took a seat next to me. “So me, you, and Carter would team up to beat them.”
“They used to get so upset when our parents would come out and judge the different trees.” I laughed.
Alex covered her mouth as more laughter spilled out. “Gio learned how to tie bows just so he’d have a chance at winning.”
Our joy sobered as we both quieted and I asked. “What was this year like?”
I had spent every waking moment thinking of them as my family traveled abroad. I had traveled with Adrian to spend the holiday with them in London. It helped take the sting out of being away from everyone, but my mind had lingered on Alex and her brother’s. Carter too, and everyone else.
Alex shrugged. “We went down to Mexico. Wren and Archer, and the boys came too. It was fun, but it felt different. Like we were missing something.”
Yeah, I knew the feeling.
I hesitated with my question but asked. “Your brothers went?”
Alex nodded silently. “They were there, but they were really reserved and quiet. The only time they’d light up or act normal was if they were around my aunt Wren’s kids. It’s crazy how long ago that felt, but it was only a month. It’s partly why I had agreed to come, Pres.”
She leveled me with a solemn glare. “You’re the missing piece. I can’t bring myself to accept that you’re marrying Adrian, or that you’ll be here in Italy so far from me. You’re not just like my sister,Pres. You are my sister. Through and through. You’re my family, and deep in my gut, I don’t think you’re safe here.”
She was right, and I felt it too, especially after tonight. Instead of confirming all that, I pulled her into a tight hug. “You’re my family too. I’m so glad you’re here, Alex.”
I needed to talk to Adrian and begin to sort out the mess that I had willingly stepped into.
Pulling apart, I said. “Text me if you need anything. Adrian’s room is on the third floor, last door on the right. Feel free to come and go as you want; his men won’t stop you or say anything. His staff is kind, and they’re good people.”
Alex nodded before tugging the pile of clothes into her hand that I had given her. I exited the room and pulled the door closed before releasing a pent-up breath.
She was safe.
That was all that mattered at the moment. Now I had to figure out how to get her home.
I shutthe door behind me as I entered Adrian’s bedroom.
The lights were low, and there in the center of the bed sat Adrian with his head hanging in his hands. His tie was undone, his jacket crumpled on the floor and his hair looked like he’d been running his fingers through it possibly since we arrived.
“Hey.”
His head popped up, surprise forcing his brows to his forehead. “Presley.”
Did he not think I’d come back? “Of course it’s me.”
I smiled at him as I drew closer, all the while I slipped out of my heels and pressed my toes into his plush rug. The doors to the balcony were wide open, letting the night breeze into the room to caress us.
