Page 54 of The Broken Queen
“She does,” I argued, feeling oddly protective of Presley’s plan. It was dangerous, but if she wanted to get it completed, then I would help her do it.
Rylie’s eyes snapped from Presley over to me, then Kyle spoke up after clearing his throat.
“Just a year ago, you both stood there and said you would go to war with us, and now?—”
“We know what we said,” Kingston interrupted. “And we’re aware of what we’re offering now. Things have changed. They came to our home, dropped a body on our steps, and as far as I’m concerned, Adrian left this earth trying to protect Presley.”
Scotty’s shrewd gaze swung from Kingston to me before he pushed away from the wall and tossed his ice pack. “This is a waste of time.” His voice escalated as he yelled, “Presley, you were trained for every situation, and this hiccup shouldn’t be something that derails you so much that you’re willing to endanger yourself and this family, again. I trained you for this.”
“I wasn’t trained to murder my family, Scotty! Although, I’m starting to wonder if that would have helped,” Presley yelled back.
His brows caved inward. “What are you?—”
“I was forced to kill my grandfather in front of Markos, his sons, and even Alex. I had no choice. You did not prepare me for that.” Presley stepped off the wall, pointing at her uncle with rage.
The room fell silent at her admission. Kingston’s jaw worked back and forth while he stared at Scotty, as if daring him to try and tell Presley even one more time that she should have been prepared for this.
A crack seemed to slip into my chest as I processed what Elvis had gone through, and just how broken she really was. There was only a small version of herself she was sharing with us since she’d returned. I was curious what it would feel like to have her completely shatter and allow King and me to help her heal.
“I’ll go with them. I want to help.” My mom suddenly stepped forward. She seemed to know how delicate this moment was, but her offering to go with us took me by surprise.
Kingston suddenly turned with the same expression I likely had. “What?”
Dad stepped up behind her, touching her hip. “Taylor?—”
Mom closed her eyes, slightly shaking her head. “For as long as I can remember, we have tried to keep the boys away from Presley’s fight. We have removed them from being able to step in and aid her in any way. This thirst for violence was indirectly bred into them. It has cracked this family to pieces, and it’s time we stop allowing it to. Markos should have been ended years ago. I will go with Presley to ensure her safety and help find him.”
Before Dad could argue, our sister said, “I’ll go too.”
“No. That’s enough. We are leaving, or did you forget about that?” Dad yelled across the room, flexing his jaw.
“We have lived together for nearly twenty years, Juan. We are not going anywhere while our family needs us. Your sons love Presley. She’s tied to us whether she chooses one of them, both, or neither.She has earned our allegiance,” Mom argued, tugging on his fingers. She did that sometimes when she wanted to get her point across without arguing.
Dad just shook his head.
“So, the family will end with you.” Scotty shook his head while glaring at Presley. She glared back in a stance that was unlike anything I had ever witnessed pass between the two of them. He left the room moments later, but Presley hadn’t stopped staring daggers at his back while he withdrew.
I knew I needed to talk to Henry about El Peligro going back to Italy and offering protection again, so I pulled out my cell right as Presley turned toward the terrace doors.
“I’ll be on the farm,” she said as she passed by me.
“We’ll be in touch once we get things organized,” I muttered to my dad as I followed Presley outside.
I foundher shooting at a target set up near the barn. She had unloaded three clips by the time she finally lowered her arms and turned toward the table that held her ammo and case.
“The fucking nerve of Scotty,” she muttered angrily.
I walked closer, helping set up the rifle for her to shoot. “He’s on a fucking power trip. Always has been.”
“Yeah, I think I’m finally starting to see what you and King were always so pissed about.” She twisted the rifle scope into place.
Things were quiet for a moment, while the graying clouds seemed to move overhead and the sun fought to break through. Her blue eyes searched over my face before landing on my mouth.
“You said something last night…” Her face flushed the smallest bit, which made her chin drop to her chest.
I used my pointer finger to lift it. “I mentioned making a mess inside you this morning.”
“But you never did.”
