No matter how much has changed, this remains home.
My home.
Maybe, just maybe, this is where I’m supposed to be.
5
Aiden
“I’m here. And by the way, I don’t want to be here.”
Levi flops on a seat at the dinner table and thanks Margo for preparing his favourite steak.
She throws one last glance at us with worry etching deep between her brows. Levi, being a proclaimed gentleman, gives her a reassuring nod as if saying ‘No, we won’t eat each other for dinner.’
Margo tells us to call her if we need anything and retreats with brisk steps. The dining room’s double door closes behind her with finality.
It’s just the King men and their screwed up heads.
Good times.
I can’t remember the last time the three of us sat down for a meal. Since Levi started his relationship with Astrid and moved out, he barely shows up anymore, and when he does it’s only with her by his side.
Jonathan and I both know Astrid coaxes him to keep in touch with his family. That’s the reason my father accepted her over time despite the fact that she’s a Clifford.
Newsflash about the Cliffords; Jonathan doesn’t like them.
Her mother killed Uncle James in an accident — in which both of them died. Jonathan being Jonathan still holds a grudge against Astrid and her lord father as if they’re the ones who shoved drugs down Uncle James’ throat that night.
That’s Jonathan in a nutshell. He’s vengeful, and he’s ruthless about it.
He occupies the head of the table while Levi and I sit on each side of him. The chandelier above us casts a white light on the food as if we’re in a cooking show.
I drag the knife over my steak, but I’m neither cutting nor eating.
My thoughts keep spiralling back to how Elsa left yesterday. The numbness on her face still lurks inside me, tying a noose around my heart.
How the fuck could I let her go like that? She doesn’t even have her damn phone. Not that she would’ve answered my calls or texts.
It’s only been a day, but it feels like we’ve been apart for an eternity — and I don’t even believe in eternity and all that shit.
I sit here, wondering when exactly it was she became such an integral part of my life and the fucking air I breathe.
Was it when I claimed her as mine? When I first touched her? When I reunited with her two years ago? Or maybe it all started in the damn basement.
“You’re here today because we have an enemy.”
“You mean you have an enemy.” Levi scoffs, taking a generous bite of his beef and chewing without a care in the world.
“The King household has an enemy, you little punk.”
Levi rolls his eyes but says nothing. I’ve already briefed him about Ethan Steel’s return. Whether he likes it or not, Levi is a King and Jonathan’s precious legacy. He was already a part of the game before he was born.
Like me.
Like Elsa.
“Knowing Ethan, he’ll try to disrupt our formation before attacking.” Jonathan cuts his meat with ease like he’s not talking about attacks and wars.