A half hour later, Vincent shows up, with a bunch of armed guards, to collect Lili, Anna-Lynn, and Jocelyn.
“Is there any update on Hera?” Eric asks, and Ares’s spine stiffens.
“She should be at the safe house by the morning,” Vincent replies, looking over Eric’s head. “We need to head out now before it’s dark.”
“I don’t want to go.” Lili suctions herself to Ares’s side with tears clinging to her lashes.
“I know, munchkin.” Ares hugs her tight, and my ovaries swoon. Ares loves his little sister so much. I was never in any doubt, but seeing them together makes it more real. I love the way he loves her. It’s a thing of beauty. “But it’s only for a little while, and you’ll get to see Mom tomorrow.”
Her lips kick up at the corner. “Mom,” she teases. “Look at you, all Americanized.”
Lili grew up in Europe, and I have noticed she sounds and speaks very much like a European, which is a little odd because Ares and Hera have a lot of US mannerisms and speech patterns, which I thought would have rubbed off on her. Plus, she lived here for a couple years before she was kidnapped.
“You will be too.” Ares tweaks her nose. “Just wait and see.” He lifts her up and her legs go around his waist. He holds her close. “I love you, Lili.”
“Love you too, big brother.” She sobs into his neck, before lifting her chin. “Promise I’ll see you soon?”
“I promise.” Ares sets her feet down on the ground and hands her the phone Bree set up for her. It’s the same as the new ones she gave us with all the newfangled high-tech Stewart tools. “Use this to keep in touch. Text me or call me anytime. It doesn’t matter how late or early it is. If you need anything, you call me.”
“I added all our digits,” Bree says, smiling at Lili. “If you can’t reach Ares or you have any girly stuff you want to ask, call me or Ash.”
Jocelyn links her arm in Lili’s and rolls her eyes at her big sister. “If Lili wants to talk girly stuff, she has me and Tess. We’ll look after her.”
Ares smiles warmly at Jocelyn. “Thanks for taking care of my sister, Jocelyn. I owe you one.”
Jocelyn pins him with a dreamy smile and googly eyes, and her cheeks stain red. I noticed her casting sly looks at him during Christmas dinner, and I think someone has a little crush. It’s cute, but I doubt her brothers would agree.
Oh, boy. I hope Jase doesn’t notice how she’s currently looking at Ares.
“Get in the car, Lyn,” Baz snaps, lacking his usual affable manner and flirty persona. “And quit that shit.” He points between her and Ares.
“Baz.” Bree thumps him in the arm. “Quit embarrassing her.”
Ares chuckles, and poor Jocelyn’s face turns an even darker shade of red.
“Be safe.” Ares hugs Lili one last time before pressing his lips to her brow. “And call me when you get there.”
“I will. I promise.” She flings her arms around his neck before reluctantly letting him go.
I hold on to Ares as we watch them leave until they’re merely a speck in the distance. Eric leaves with a few bodyguards to meet a contact who says he has a lead on Carter’s whereabouts and we all head back inside.
We make coffee and shoot the shit as we wait for news. It’s agony hanging around waiting, and we’re all going stir crazy doing nothing. I’m casually making out with Chad on the couch when the squealing of tires outside claims all our attention. We watch through the living room window as Victor Fox jumps out of his SUV, leaves the car door open, and races toward the Stewarts’ front door.
We are up on our feet in an instant, all rushing out to meet him.
Baz gets there first, yanking the door open as Victor pounds on it.
Butterflies go crazy in my chest, and blood thrums painfully in my ears at the look of sheer panic on Victor Foxes face.
“What’s wrong?” Jase asks.
“I need to speak to your father. Now!” Victor charges past us into the hallway.
“He’s not here!” Baz calls out. “He left to meet with Saunders.”
“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” Victor grabs handfuls of his hair and paces the hallway.
“What the hell is going on?” Ares grabs him by the shoulders. “Is my mother safe?” he asks, assuming this must be something to do with her because Victor flew overseas to personally escort Hera to the safe house.
