Chapter 12 Kingston
Kingston
“Hey, asshole!” my sister shouts, storming into my office.
Slowly, I look up from my computer screen. When I confirm it’s Regina, I pinch the bridge of my nose and squeeze my eyes shut. I don’t have time for this.
“Hey, Regina.”
“Don’t hey, Regina me, Kingston. What the hell is up with Stefan following me?”
With a sigh, I motion to the chair across from me. Angrily, she stomps the rest of the way into the room then plops down into the seat and folds her arms.
Does she not understand how important her safety is? She’s the princess of the fucking Romano family. She needs protection, yet she’s acting like an ungrateful toddler, and I want to shake her for it.
Digging deep, I pray for patience. “Look. Just because Dad died doesn’t mean there aren’t men looking for you.
I understand you want to get out of the house because you’re hurting, and you think you’ve hidden long enough that no one will be able to recognize you as the princess of the Romano family, but I’m not okay with you disappearing on your own.
Having Stefan follow you was the best compromise I could come up with.
” My voice is soft yet commanding. The sound reminds me of my father, and I see her eyes darken in front of me, confirming that I’m right.
“Screw you, Kingston. Just because you took over Dad’s role here,”—she waves her hand around the room that showcases her point—“doesn’t mean you get to pretend you’re my father. I can go wherever the hell I want, so back off!”
With gritted teeth, my gaze narrows. “Careful, Regina. I’ve had a shit day, and I’m not in the mood for you to challenge me right now.
You want to leave this place and do whatever the hell you want?
Fine. But only under my conditions. One.
You go with a guard. Two. You keep your legs crossed.
And three. You come home when I tell you to.
If you can’t meet those conditions, then I lock you in your fucking room until I find you a suitable spouse that benefits the family. Do you understand?”
She flattens her lips to keep them from quivering before hastily wiping at the tears threatening to spill beneath her eyes. I’ve pissed her off, and a hum of guilt quickly follows.
“Did you really just go there?” she whispers.
“Dammit, Regina!” I slam my hands against the desk. The sound makes her flinch.
With a sigh of frustration, I squeeze the back of my neck and take a second to breathe.
How can I be expected to lead this family when my own sister looks at me with so much misery and disdain?
“You’re right. I know how much it pisses you off when I talk about you like a pawn instead of a person.
It was a hit below the belt, and that’s on me.
I’m sorry, okay?” Grudgingly, she gives me a jerky nod, accepting my apology before I continue.
“Listen, I know how much you miss him even though he was a shit father sometimes. I miss him too, but that won’t bring him back.
You don’t remember when Mom passed, but I do.
And it sucked. Just like this. We’ll get through this.
But I need you to promise me that you won’t try to ditch Stefan every time you try to sneak out.
If you want to leave, fine. But leave from the front door and take someone with you.
I’m really close to pissing off the Allegretti family, and I don’t want you to become collateral because of it. Understand?”
“What do you mean, you’re really close to pissing off the Allegretti family?”
I frown. “You know I can’t tell you that, Regina. It’s—”
“Business. Right.” She pouts.
“Don’t be like that—”
“Like what, Kingston?” she argues. “For a guy who claims to respect women, you sure know how to put them in their place.”
“Regina—”
“No,” she cuts me off with an icy glare and a wave of her hand. “I’m going out. Bye.”
Knowing it’ll piss her off but left with no choice, I yell to her retreating form, “Don’t forget to take Stefan!”
“Asshole,” she shouts back. Seconds later, the front door slams, and I pull out my phone to text Stefan.
Me: Regina just left. Follow her.