Tormented Kings (Boys Of Kingston Academy #2)

Chapter 27

Sadie

“Have you seen Preston?” I ask Declan as he sits down next to me at the lunch table.

“No,” he responds. “Not today.”

“Haven’t seen much of him since the wedding,” I sigh, leaning my head against his shoulder. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me into his lap.

I smile up at him, loving this public display of affection. I don’t care if people watch and whisper.

“There's a lot going on with him. Between his dad, Tina, and studying for exams, he’s very busy.”

The mention of Tina makes my stomach turn, and I look for her without meaning to.

“I’m worried about him.”

“Me too,” he sighs. “He’s not the same. He seems more stressed. He looks like he’s hardly getting any sleep. Any time I ask him about it, he tells me he’s fine. He’s not fine.”

“Should we talk to him together?” He opened up on Thanksgiving, but since then, he’s closed himself off again. I think it’s the stress of everything that's going on. I wish he would just come to us. He should know by now that we want to be there for him. We love him, and if this is going to work out between the three of us, he’s going to have to know it’s okay to ask for help.

But he’s Preston. And the more we push, the more he’s going to close off. Thanksgiving was a rare moment of vulnerability with him.

We didn’t hear from him for a few days after that. But then he showed up at the club, walking in while I was riding Declan.

At first, I was shocked, but then I noticed the look of hunger in his eyes. I knew something big was about to happen.

And fuck was it ever life-changing.

Some of the hottest sex I’ve ever had was between two men I care about so much.

It was the turning point between us. The start of something new. Or so I thought.

The next day, it was like it hadn’t happened.

I’m trying to be understanding. I know out of all of us Preston has it the worst. I just wish he could leave Tina and be happy. Even if it’s not out in the open with the two of us. But he won’t stand up to his father. He won’t risk his father taking it out on me. It shows how much he cares about me, and I love it. But I also hate that he has to go through it.

“As much as it sucks, I’m not sure we’re really going to get anywhere with Preston while his father still has control over him and while he’s engaged to Tina.”

“I know.” A wave of sadness settles over me. We finally have him. We finally got the words we’ve been craving from him. Only we don’t get to keep him. At least not right now.

“We’re all stressed,” Declan says. “Studying for exams has been slowly draining us, and then there’s the actual exam week. Let’s get through this first. One day at a time, okay?”

“Yeah, one day at a time.”

But when will the day we get to be happy come? A week, a month, a year from now?

Just thinking about it makes me want to claw at my skin.

“You haven’t touched your pizza,” Declan points out, gesturing to the plate.

“Not hungry,” I sigh, leaning my head against his chest. “Too stressed.”

“Me too.” He kisses the top of my head.

It’s Christmas morning, and I’ve been up since five. I woke up and was too excited to go back to sleep.

I love Christmas. The decorations, the music, the food. Everything.

Last year, it was just my mom and me in our cozy little cottage with presents under our tree of homemade ornaments. It was the same as all the years before. Wake up, open stockings, have breakfast, open gifts, then watch a Christmas movie while supper cooks, eat, watch another movie, and then go to bed. It was something I looked forward to.

This year, with all these new changes, I’m not sure what to expect.

The tree isn’t the same. In the living room, Mark has a massive ten foot tree put up with so many properly placed and expensive ornaments.

I mean, the house looks amazing, like Christmas puked all over the place. But everything seems too fancy. My vision of Christmas looks like Santa’s workshop with greens, yellows, and reds. Not blues, white, and gold.

This isn’t my house, so I have no right to complain. But it makes me miss the cottage. Renovations are done, and it’s ready for me to move back in. Only I’m not sure if I want to.

I’ve come to enjoy living here. Seeing Grayson all the time has been fun. I don’t hate the way he enjoys waking me up every morning, and my friends started coming over here, so I’m seeing them more.

After the past month of cramming for exams and hardly having time to see anyone, even the guys, it’s nice to know that I get a few weeks to just relax and enjoy life.

My life is just perfect. Just kidding, it’s still a fucking shit show. Hell, with every new day, it seems to be going further and further downhill. All because there's still a very big looming threat that seems to have all of our lives in a choke-hold.

Collin says his contacts have dug up a lot on his dad, but nothing that he can use against him just yet. If he hits him now, and it doesn’t go as planned, it could ruin everything. They’re waiting for that smoking gun of evidence.

Thankfully, it’s been awhile since he’s bugged Collin. Collin hasn’t gotten a call from him since the time he went to meet with his dad.

So, I’m guessing it’s a safe bet to say that we’ve been keeping a good enough distance outside and inside the school to not draw suspicion.

It’s been hard, but I go over to their house whenever Mom does, and I’ve gotten a few more of our special meetings with him in his office.

The guys have been texting me, complaining about how they don’t think it’s fair that Grayson gets to see me more than the others as of late. He loves to piss them off and respond with ‘brother privileges’.

Things between Declan and me are amazing. He’s so damn sweet and loving. I just hate that I haven't seen much of him, or any of them, for a while between studying for exams and then exam week.

They wanted to study together in a little study group, but I knew right away there was no way I’d be able to be alone with my men and keep our hands to ourselves.

I can guarantee the only studying that would have been done was anatomy.

As for Preston, we’ve been taking things slow. Unfortunately, unlike Collin, their father has been riding Preston’s ass. He’s been having to go do more and more things with Tina. She’s like a dog with a bone.

It’s like ever since I went public with Declan, she’s made it her mission to make Preston’s life miserable by playing the loving fiance. Like she can tell her time with him is limited, and she’s not willing to go down without a fight.

All of it is affecting Preston. He’s become more and more quiet, his smiles seem forced, and he looks tired. The only time I feel like I get to see my Preston is on the rare occasions when I catch him staring at me with a heated look in his eyes.

Neither Declan nor I have been able to further our relationship with him because we haven’t had a chance to have any alone time with him.

Preston moved back into his father’s house full-time. His life now is all about school—which is the only time we see him—and then going home to do whatever his father asks of him.

The fight in him has vanished, and I don’t know why. What is his monster of a father doing to him that has him giving up?

It has Declan and me worried. We want to move forward, but how do we do that when we know Preston is still keeping things from us?

There’s a knock at my door. “Come in,” I call out, flicking on the bedside lamp.

The door opens, and I grin when I see Mom step inside. “Hey, honey.” My eyes light up when I see her holding a big stocking.

“You remembered,” I cheer excitedly.

“Of course I did,” she laughs. “I’d never forget.”

“Come.” I pat the bed. “Because neither did I.” I lean over and grab the stocking I made up for her and place it on the bed. She smiles, laughing softly as she comes over to sit on my bed as we open our stockings.

“How are you doing, my girl?” Mom asks me after we’re done.

“I’m good.” I shrug, wishing with all my heart that I could tell her everything about what’s going on in my life. Sometimes, just for the smallest moments, I wish my life was the way it was before. Where I didn’t have to worry about anything except if I was going to pass a test or if Raymond wanted to drag me out to do something I didn’t like.

I shut those thoughts down fast because my life before, in a way, was worse than it is now. Sure, I didn’t have anyone putting a target on my back, but I didn’t have a man who loved me, made me smile, put me first, and made me their whole world, either. Let alone four.

Even if it’s hard—sometimes, hard isn’t even the word to describe it—they’re worth it. Being able to be held by them, touching them, kissing them. It’s worth it.

“How is it that you’re going to be twenty already?” she smiles. “You’re growing up so fast. Where did my little girl go?”

“I’m still here.” I laugh. “I’ll always be your little girl.”

“Damn right.” She grins.

We’ve talked a few times about some of the big changes in my life, mainly my new boyfriends. She’s amazing and really is okay with the fact that I’m dating two men. She just cares that I’m happy and being safe. Gotta love reassuring your mom that you’re still on birth control.

Honestly, I’m glad I am. With the amount of sex I’ve been having, I’d be knocked up already. And as much as I’d love to be a mom someday, that day is not anytime soon. Give me another eight years, and I’ll be good to go.

I’m just living day by day at this point. With my life being a shit show, I do not want to add a baby to that.

“Mom.” I nervously play with the wrapping paper spread around my bed. “I know you’re fine with my dating Collin and Declan. Something I still can’t get my head around, by the way.” I laugh, shaking my head.

“Hey, I’m a cool mom,” she teases, sounding like Regina’s mom from Mean Girls , and we both laugh. “If you wanna live the poly lifestyle, as long as you're happy and you all treat each other good, it’s your life, Sadie. I will love and support you no matter what.”

My nervous flutter in my belly as I lick my lips. I want to ask if that means my stepbrother, too. But I think better of it. That’s not something I want to bring up on Christmas day. Soon. Soon, we will tell them.

“So, you wouldn't be upset if I was seeing someone else.”

“If you mean Preston. No.” She grins.

“You know?” My brows furrow.

“Seeing how you’ve turned a broken boy into a lovesick puppy, yeah, I think I’d say I know.” Then she gives me a guilty look. “And I may have overheard a small bit of your conversation on Thanksgiving when I came to check on you to let you know supper was ready.”

“Oh.”

“I wasn’t eavesdropping, I promise,” she rushes out. “When I realized it was a very important conversation, I left right away.”

“So you know that both Declan and I want something with Preston.”

“I’ve assumed as much.” She nods.

“And you don’t care.”

She grabs my hand, giving it a little squeeze. “This life we’ve found ourselves in, it’s scary. I’m not going to lie. I’ve grown up around these people, so have you. You know how it can be. But you want to know the best thing?”

“What?”

“We’re not them. We’re happy with what we have. We don’t need to lie and scheme to get it. We work hard and are decent people. I’m not saying everyone is bad, but well...”

“Most are in some way?” I finish for her.

“Yeah, pretty much,” she sighs. “Money changes people. I believe the saying that says money is the root of all evil is pretty accurate in most cases.”

“But not with Mark,” I say, but it’s more of a statement than a question.

She grins. “No, not Mark. He’s a very rare gem. And because we’re not like them, we don’t need to hold ourselves to high standards like they do. We’re free to make our own choices, to be happy and live our lives the way we want. I’m assuming the boys have engagements?”

“Kind of? Declan broke his off already.” I grin.

“I’ve heard,” she laughs. “Boy, did that cause a lot of talk. But his parents seem pretty okay with his decision. I’m glad. But don’t let them talk you into taking Mia’s place.” She raises a brow.

“Don’t worry. No talks of marriage have been made.” I laugh.

It’s also something I haven’t talked to any of the guys about. The more I think about it, there are a lot of things we haven’t talked about, since we’ve been so busy and overtaken by the obvious danger lurking.

“And the others? I know Collin’s father has been after him to marry.” She laughs as if it’s a joke. “As if that man will do anything his father says.” She gives me a serious look. “Stay away from him, Sadie. Stay away from Bradly Jones. He’s not a good man. And you’re taking not only one of his sons but both.” She swallows hard, looking away for a moment, a haunting look on her face.

“Mom, is everything okay?”

She turns back with a forced smile. “Everything’s fine,” she answers. “Just make sure Preston knows what he’s doing, okay? I will be by your side in whatever you want to do. But choosing not to marry someone in this society, it’s not that easy. Their parents have these things set since birth. It’s barbaric if you ask me, taking your child's right to live their own life as they choose.” She shakes her head. “Maybe that’s why I’m so accepting of whatever you choose to do. I’ve seen so many people who look hollow and fake, putting on a show for the world because they’re not happy. They’re not in love with the person they were forced to marry. Sometimes arranged marriages work out, sometimes they fall in love with each other, but more often than not, it’s not like that.”

“I know. It’s what Preston is trying to avoid.” Dread pools in my stomach. “It’s just not going to be very easy for him. But he’s trying to find a way.”

Little does she know, the man she’s warning me against pretty much has a hit out for me. If I tell her, she’s going to be against me being with not only Preston but Collin, too. It would cause a lot more complications. It’s best if I fill her in once everything is figured out.

“I hope he’s able to.” She gives me a sad smile. “I don’t want to see you and Declan get hurt.”

“What do you mean?”

“If he’s forced to marry whoever he’s contracted to, I don’t want you to be his mistress. You deserve better than that. Both you and Declan. It’s no life for anyone. It’s just filled with heartache and pain. It’s also not fun to find out the man you’re married to has another person on the side. Don’t be that person, Sadie. I might not be able to speak from experience, but I know people who can.”

Carol. Collin’s dad cheated on her with Preston’s mom.

“It’s not going to be like that,” I assure her.

“I hope not.”

It’s not, right? He’s going to leave Tina. Once their father is dealt with, he’s going to be mine and Declan’s.

Right?

Eventually Mom and I head downstairs, going straight to the kitchen. We make a big breakfast, and by the time we’re done, the men have made their way down.

“It smells amazing in here,” Mark compliments, entering the kitchen, Grayson trailing along behind him.

When he sees me, he gives me a sleepy smile.

I bite my lip, knowing our parents aren’t paying attention, too busy being newlyweds and kissing under the mistletoe. Literally, Mark placed it over the stove because he knows Mom loves to cook and it’s a place she’s at a lot. Corny but adorable.

There are about ten others scattered around the house, too. Grayson has been sneaking kisses all week. Each time, it makes my heart race. Like right now as I take him in.

He’s in Christmas PJs, a black shirt with candy cane bottoms. But his tousled black hair and hooded, sleepy eyes are far more attractive than I thought they would be.

“Morning, sis,” he taunts with a teasing edge, voice thick from sleep, which sends a shiver down my spine.

“Merry Christmas,” I say back.

“Let’s eat, then we can do presents,” Mom says, placing the whole works on the table. Pancakes, french toast, bacon, eggs, and toast.

“Fuck me, this looks good,” Grayson groans, sitting heavily into the chair.

“Grayson,” Mark scolds his son. “Language around the ladies.”

“Oh, trust me, Sadie has a dirty mouth on her.” Grayson grins wickedly.

My eyes widen; thankfully, our parents don’t pick up on his real meaning.

“It’s true. Sadie swears like a sailor most days,” Mom agrees.

“Hey,” I protest. “I do not.” She gives me a look. “Okay, maybe. But I’m an adult. We’re allowed to swear.

“Yeah, we are.” Grayson chuckles, and I shoot him a glare. The asshole just winks. But he’s my asshole, so I can’t help the heat that pools in my belly.

We talk about what we got each other in our stockings and that I have one to give to both Grayson and Mark later.

When we’re done, we clean up and head into the living room to open presents. But when we get there, I frown, not seeing any of them under the tree. “I swear I put some under there last night,” I point to the bottom of the empty tree.

“Yeah, we may have moved them.” Grayson chuckles.

“To where?” I ask, then look around the room. My eyes widen, and I gasp when I see what’s on the other side of the room. In the opposite corner sits another tree. And as I slowly move over there in shock, I realize it’s not just any tree. It’s Mom’s and my tree. The artificial one we’ve been using for years, decorated with all of our mismatched ornaments.

“Mark.” I hear my mom say, emotion in her voice like she’s about to cry.

“What’s this?” I ask, spinning around to face Mark and Grayson.

“We know that there’s been a lot of changes with us blending our families. And we wanted to make sure your first Christmas was something you would enjoy and remember. So, Grayson here–” He puts his arm around his son’s shoulder. “Came up with the idea of putting your Christmas tree up. And next year, we can go get new decorations that you two enjoy. I didn’t stop to think that maybe our plain Jane style might not be to your liking.” He winks.

My eyes find Grayson, and I really try not to cry, but it’s hard. I just fell in love with Grayson Taylor.

He smiles at me softly, hands in his PJ pockets, looking almost sheepish.

In seconds, I’m over to him and wrapping my arms around his neck. “Thank you,” I murmur against his chest, hoping that a hug like this doesn’t look weird to our parents. He did something nice, after all. It’s normal to express happiness with a hug, right?

He hugs me back and leans down to whisper in my ear. “When will you see that I plan on giving you the world, Pretty Girl? Just you wait.”

Yup. It’s official: I’m irrevocably in love with this man.

Later on in the day, Grayson helps Mom in the kitchen while I hang out and read one of the new books he got me.

I’ve been texting with the guys, wishing they could be here to celebrate with us, too. Declan is spending it with his parents, and he’s actually very excited about it. Normally, they’re off on vacation somewhere on the other side of the world. But this year, they stayed and spent it with Declan. I’m glad he gets to have this. I haven’t met them yet, but they seem to be changing, in a good way, from what Declan originally told me about them. It’s nice to see not everyone in this world is heartless and cold.

I know where Preston is and what he’s doing today. But I’ve been doing my best not to think about it. Knowing he’s around Tina, someone who makes my life hell and takes pleasure in my pain, makes me sick.

It’s knowing he hates her with every fiber of his being and doesn’t let her touch him that makes it bearable. I still fucking hate it.

He wished me a Merry Christmas and said we would talk later. I haven’t opened our chat since, too worried I’d ask how it’s going and he’d confess something that would ruin my whole day.

I’m going to see Collin after supper. They normally would have come over here, but Carol insisted we spend today as a new family and made plans for New Year's Day instead.

“Hey,” Mark says, stepping into the living room.

Looking up from my book, I smile. “Hey. How’s everything going in there?” I ask, referring to the kitchen.

“Good,” he chuckles, moving to take a seat in the chair across from the couch. “Your mother is a saint when it comes to him. I know he’s a handful and more chaos than help, but I think he really enjoys helping your mom in the kitchen.” He sighs, looking away for a moment, seeming to be lost in thought. I place my book down, feeling like there’s an important conversation about to happen. He looks back at me. “Grayson has been without a mother figure for a long time. I think I've done pretty okay raising him myself, but I think there was always something missing, you know?”

Emotion gets stuck in my throat because I do know. I never got any time with my dad. I never got to experience what it would be like to have a father figure in my life. Mark is the closest thing I’ve had.

“I’m glad Mom can be that for him.” I give him a genuine smile. “I know she loves him.”

“And you?” he asks me, making my eyes widen for a moment. Does he know? “How are you two getting along?”

I relax for a moment. “Good.” I nod. “We’re friends. Good friends. It’s been an adjustment living together, but it’s been fun.” Not a lie.

“I’m glad.” He grins. “Grayson always wanted a little sister to bug.” He chuckles. “I’m glad he has you.”

Oh boy, does he have me. Just not in the way you think.

“I’m glad to have him too.” Again, not a lie.

“There’s something I want to talk to you about,” he says nervously.

“Okay?” I move to sit up, giving him my full attention.

“I know we haven’t had much time to get to know each other, but I think it’s safe to say that you’ve become a pretty big part of my life.”

“I’d say so.” I grin.

He chuckles, shaking his head before he continues. “You’re family, and I see you as a daughter.” A fist wraps around my heart. “You may not feel the same way, but I hope one day you do.” He smiles sheepishly, and it’s pretty cute. “As you know, this world we live in is pretty cutthroat. I want to make sure that you are given every opportunity and make sure you’re protected in every aspect. The Taylor name holds a lot of power in this world, could open up a lot of doors, and provide a bit of a shield for you. I know you don’t live the way most of the kids at your school do. It’s one of the things about your mother that I fell in love with,” he chuckles. “That being said, the Taylor name means something.”

“Okay...” I say softly, not too sure where he’s going with this.

“You don’t have to feel pressured to say yes. You won’t hurt my feelings. This is all new, and if you need time, that's understandable. If it’s not something you’re ever comfortable with, that’s okay too. But I want to ask anyway.” He pulls out something from his jacket pocket and places it on the coffee table between us.

My brows pull together, and I grab the manila folder and open it. Skimming the page, I read a lot of legalese, but the one thing that is clear is that these are adoption papers.

My eyes snap up to his, and my heart thunders in my chest. “You want to adopt me?” My voice cracks a little.

He nods his head. “Like I said, Sadie. I see you as a daughter. Even if you’re not there yet. I’d love to get to know you more and build up that bond. Your mother means the world to me, and you do too.” Damn it. My goal was to not cry on Christmas. “If anything, use the name as a safety net. You don’t have to change your last name or anything. Evans was your father. And while I didn’t know him well, I know he was a good man. It's a wonderful last name. Just being officially a part of the family can offer just as much as being an actual Taylor. No pressure. Just think about it, okay? Everything is signed on my part. All you gotta do is sign your name and send it in since you’re a legal adult.”

I’m left shocked as Mark comes over, bends down, and kisses the top of my head like a dad would his little girl before leaving me sitting there stunned with the papers in my hand.

“What the heck just happened?”

He wants to adopt me? Me? Why? I’m almost twenty. There’s no point, right?

But he said he wanted me to be a part of the family, officially. Right?

His name holds power. Safety. If I was a Taylor—in the official sense—would that help the situation with Preston and Collin’s father? Would he be so quick to threaten me?

My head spins with this new information that is going to require a lot of thinking.

I like Mark. I like being a part of this family. Everything about our families blending together has felt right.

But if I’m officially his daughter, what would that mean for Grayson and me? How would the world react when it finds out Mark Taylor’s adopted daughter is fucking his biological son.

No. I can’t think about this right now. Not today. Not on Christmas.

Closing the folder, I grab it and head upstairs, placing it in my nightstand. Once I have more time to think about it, then I’ll make a decision.

For now, I’m going to go downstairs, enjoy supper with my family, and then go over to see Collin.