Page 102 of The Broken Queen
His breath fanned my hair as he laughed. “The couch was your idea.”
I smiled as the warm air seemed to squeeze us. “I know.”
Gio looked through his telescope and let out a sound of excitement. “Come here, Elvis.”
Kingston opened his arms, so I could escape. I walked over and had Gio’s arms around me a second later as he helped me adjust the telescope.
“What do you see?” His warm lips grazed my ear.
Tilting the scope, I squinted. The shape was somewhat difficult to make out at first, but after a few seconds, I saw it.The twins.
“You foundCastor and Pollux.”
“Feels sorta like fate, Elvis.” Gio kissed my cheek.
It did feel like destiny like I was exactly where I was supposed to be, and from here, things would only get better.
Epilogue
PRESLEY
One Year Later
Istared at the invitation and tried to make it say something different.
“Why do we have to go?” I asked, picking up the beautiful piece of cardstock.
Gio peered over my shoulder. “Dad’s hosting it.”
Kingston added from across the room, “He also doesn’t trust anyone from El Peligro to have his back yet. We’re his backup.”
That meant we’d have to sneak in weapons, which would be risky. “Fine, but that means you two are going to have to chill out on who talks to me. Let’s work on blending into the background.”
Both brothers smirked, and it was identical, making my belly flip. “I’m going to get ready. But I’m serious, we can’t draw attention to ourselves tonight.”
There was no response, which should have been the first red flagof the evening.
The room was decorated beautifully.
It reminded me of my engagement party in Italy, with dangling chandeliers and opulent ceilings. People wore their finest clothes and most expensive jewelry. I had on a red, silk dress that spilled over my curves like water.
The twins were in all black, but instead of wearing nice jackets, they’d left theirs at home and rolled their dress shirt sleeves up to their elbows. I hadn’t stopped touching them since we arrived, and in turn, their hands had been fastened to my hips, thighs, or arms as if they didn’t want to let me out of their sight.
I hadn’t bothered with researching who was in attendance. Over the past year, I have truly released the identity that was forced upon me. I had relaxed into the farm life, with a slower routine and lazy Sundays spent with music playing and dancing barefoot around the kitchen. I did what workouts I liked. I ran if I wanted to. I hadn’t touched a gun since the day Gio was shot.
I liked this new version of me.
Not on alert, or thinking of anything other than the book on my Kindle and the type of appetizers they were serving. I allowed Gio and Kingston to watch my back, and in turn, worry about what was around us.
There was someone making their way toward our group swiftly. Once a few people parted, I was able to see why they were moving so quickly.
“Presley!” Carter threw her arms around me, drawing me into a tight hug.
I returned her warm greeting until we pulled apart. “What are you doing here?” I asked, looking over her shoulder. I could make out her dad near the corner and her mom. They were talking with Juan and Taylor.
Carter snagged a glass of champagne from the tray that was passing. “So, my grandpa owes Juan a favor. I’m not sure for what.He got into a deal with Scotty, and it created this huggggge mess with my mom and Aunt Taylor. They were fighting and arguing. I missed literally all of it, but what I did catch was that Grandpa Charlie now came to whatever event Juan asked him to. Since he’s paying for most of this party, my mom decided we should go, and that way we’d get to see family.”
With a little tip of her drink, she had finished her story.
