Ares meets me in the hallway with Atlas.They’re both dressed in black long-sleeved button-down shirts and jeans.The collars conceal most of their tattoos, except for the ink on their hands.
I lick my lips.“You two clean up nicely.”
“Don’t let this shirt fool you,” Ares says with a wink.“You know what’s beneath it, baby.”He shoves it up a few inches to reveal his inked, muscled stomach.“Take a good look.I know you want me.Stop denying it.”
My core aches with need as I gaze upon his body.I have missed Ares too much over the past two weeks.Every day has felt like complete torture.Even after discovering the will change, I thought about him at night.I dreamed of all the dirty things he used to do to me in the dark.
“You need more than a hot body and a pretty face to win me back,” I say, acting like I don’t care about how good he looks and smells.
“At least I’ve got two things going for me.”He smirks.“If you’re a good girl, maybe I’ll reward you later.”
I flip my hair over my shoulder and turn my back to him, headed toward the grand staircase.“Do you ever think about anything else?”I shake my head and descend the stairs.“You know, Ares, you could say something sweet for once.Maybe take a cue from Atlas.Or even Apollo.”
“What?”Ares scoffs.“Iamsweet.I just offered you a ride on my dick.That’s all the romance you need.”
Atlas laughs.“You’re such a caveman.”
“And dense,” I add, glancing at Atlas as he moves beside me.“Ares doesn’t seem to understand that his compliments sound more like insults.”
“We’ve gone over the compliments thing,” Ares protests as we hit the ground floor.“Saying I want you to wrap yourthickthighs around my head, so I can lick your pussy is one of the highest compliments in my book.”
I snicker at his idiotic attempt.“Keep it up, Greek God.You’re not making your case.”
“Yeah,” Atlas agrees.“Maybe stick to the basics.Tell Ophelia she’s a goddess, and you want to worship at her altar.”
Ares snorts with laughter.“Gross.I would never say some corny shit like that.”
“Not gross,” I interject.“I love when Atlas says that kind of stuff to me.It’s cute.Romantic.Even Apollo says nice things to me and won’t touch me.Step up your game, Ares.Or your brothers will leave you in the dust.”
I love fucking with him.
“My dick is bigger,” he points out.“They can’t make you come like I do.”
I stop before we get too close to the kitchen and lower my voice.“Relationships are about more than sex.And if you want me to even think about letting you back into my life, you have to change.”I put my hand over his heart and feel it thump beneath my palm.“I want to know what’s in here, Ares.Not in your pants.”
His mouth falls open, shocked by my response.But he doesn’t get the chance to reply before I spin on my heels and march toward the kitchen.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, officers,” I say as I enter the kitchen, looking more like myself than the homeless woman who arrived an hour ago.“Steve.”I look at Officer Lawrence.“Have you found my dad yet?”
He shakes his head.“Sorry, Ophelia.Nothing yet.We’re still waiting for an update.”
The cop I don’t know, Officer Matthews, narrows his eyes at me.“Where were you tonight around eight-thirty this evening, Miss Drakos?”
“I was at my uncle’s house,” I tell him.“Alexander Drakos.I was watching TV when I saw the fire at the club and rushed over here to check on my dad.”
“Alex is on his way,” Lawrence tells me.“He had a lot to say when I spoke to him on the ride over here.”
My heart beats faster, sweat sliding down my back as I look at the officers.Something is wrong.Their gazes keep moving between Athena and her sons.
Then back to me.
If Uncle Alexander is coming here, he’s already told the police what he thinks about Athena.He believes she only married my dad to trick him out of his money and my inheritance.All of that is true.But after reading my mother’s letter, I know there’s more to the story.
Fuck.
Until they find my dad’s body, he’s still alive.So, I won’t allow the grief to watch over me.I have to hold myself together and try to remain calm.The cops survey me with suspicious looks.
I’m discovering much I don’t know about my dad and his life.He has kept so many secrets from me.
