“Argh, I don’t like keeping things from him. He always knows when I try to hide something,” I groan.
“It’s not a secret. I’ll tell Ares when I know for sure.”
“Wait a minute. You saidplace of business. How old is this guy, Cara?”
“He’s a little older, but not likeold, old,” she says.
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
“I’m positive.” She smiles and walks out as Ares walks back in with a large box.
“What is she positive about?” he asks, looking at the open door his sister just exited.
“I’m not supposed to say,” I tell him.
“She tell you about the guy she’s crushing on? She can be as sure as she wants. He’s not touching her.” Ares smiles.
My eyes widen. “You know about him?”
“I know everything when it comes to my sister, Zara,” he says.
“So, who is he? She said he was older.”
“He is, which is why he’s not fucking touching her if he wants to keep his fingers attached to his hands,” Ares growls.
I blink. I know Ares isn’t an angel. I know he can be violent. And I also know he does “errands” for his Uncle Gio. But I think this is the first time I’m seeing this side of him so openly.
“Would you actually cut his fingers off? That seems like it would be messy.”
“It is messy. But yes, I would.”
“Okay.” I nod my head.
“Here. This is for you.” Ares hands me the box he went to collect.
“What is it?” Whatever it is, it’s heavy.
“Open it and find out. That’s how gifts work, P.”
“You don’t need to buy me gifts, Ares,” I tell him as I grab the scissors he hands me.
“I don’t have to. I want to,” he says as he watches me tear into the packaging.
I pull out the brown paper on top and stare inside the box. My eyes widen. “Oh my god, Ares!” I’m speechless as I eye the stack of colouring books, two sets of water-based markers, a lot of coloured pencils, and heaps of gel pens.
“I wanted you to have enough supplies here so you can colour whenever you want to,” he says.
My eyes water. This is one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received. “I…”
“Shit, Zara. This wasn’t supposed to make you sad. I can send it back,” he says, sitting down. He picks me up and settles me back on top of him.
I shake my head. “I’m not sad. I’m happy. Thank you. It’s just… overwhelming how much you care sometimes,” I try to explain. “I really like them, and I love that you think about what I need.”
“Your needs are always at the top of my thoughts, Zara. Always will be. I love you.”
“I love you back,” I tell him.
“Good, because I was never planning on letting you go.”
