Page 53 of Targeted By Vengeance

“I’ll…I’ll never see her again…will I?” The question burned my throat as it came out.

Frowning, Maria shook her head.

“Have you seen your family, since…” I trailed off, glancing down at the scar on her neck.

Again, Maria shook her head. She released my hand to sign. But, that was more of a choice on my end. I could’ve reunited with them after Mateo saved me, but I…I didn’t want to.

“May I ask why?”

Because I was better off without them.

“I’m sorry.”

Don’t be. Despite the things that transpired to bring me here, I’d never go back and change it. I’m happy now - with Mateo and Miles and you. She leaned over to bump my shoulder. You guys are my family now.

The tightness in my chest eased from the warmth of her words. Smiling, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into a hug.

She lay her head on my shoulder and relaxed in my embrace.

Holding her, I realized how similar she and Isabelle really were.

While neither may have been the sister I would’ve asked for, they were definitely the ones I needed.

THE ASSASSIN

I should’ve known something was up when Ares sent the information for our meeting tonight. The address he’d given was for a high end restaurant in the heart of the city, and he specifically instructed Simone and me to come dressed in our best formal dinner attire. We never meet in a place that’s popular or crowded. A part of me feared this whole thing was a setup.

Even though I doubted Ares would kill me after all these years, I wouldn’t put it past him. After all, he’s tried to do it once. Who’s to say he wouldn’t try again?

I lingered in the car for a few moments after we parked in the restaurant’s lot, glancing around for any unexpected movements or persons.

“What’s wrong?” Simone asked, noticing my roaming eyes. She sat in the passenger side, the epitome of elegance in her royal blue satin dress and sleek finger waves. I’d do more than wrap my hands around Ares’s neck if he so much as looked at Simone the wrong way tonight.

She’d been excited and nervous when I told her we were having dinner with him tonight. Like a teenage girl meeting her boyfriend’s parents for the first time, she fussed over her appearance, making sure not a strand of hair was out of place.

I’d taken a few minutes to watch her put the finishing touches on her makeup before we left, the words you’re perfect hanging on my lips.

Simone had caught my gaze through the mirror she’d been staring in and smiled at me as if she’d heard them.

“Nothing,” I replied to her initial question. I didn’t want her worrying if she didn’t have to. Although she’s more than capable of taking care of herself, I wanted her to feel safe enough for me to do it for her. I cut the engine and opened my door. “Don’t touch that handle,” I told her as I climbed out of the car.

I walked around to the passenger side door and opened it for her.

Simone’s brows rose as I extended my hand to her. “Oh, so you do know how to be a gentleman?” She asked.

“Well, you seem to enjoy it more when I’m not.”

Rolling her eyes, she grabbed my hand and let me help her out of the car. Her hand wrapped around my bicep when I offered my arm.

Linked together, we walked towards the entrance of the restaurant.

Inside, the savory scent of char-grilled meats and smoked wood wafted through the air. Patrons sat around the rectangular tables draped with white and wine colored tablecloths, chatting and clinking their silverware. Instruments crooned slow jazz beats through the speakers throughout the restaurant.

“Hello,” I greeted the host standing behind the podium. “We’re part of the reservation for Soulis.”

The host tapped his fingers across the tablet attached to the podium. “Alright, I’ve got you right here. The other half of your party has already arrived.” He plucked two more menus off the stand behind him and led us towards the back of the restaurant.

Ares sat in the corner farthest way from the rest of the crowds. Glasses I’ve never seen before sat on his nose, and he wore a simple gray suit. His eyes rose from the menu he was reading as we approached him.