I peer up at Ares. “Something isn’t right. My mom didn’t just leave. They never even found Leon’s body. I’m not so sure I’m ready to accept that he’s dead, and he’s not the reason my mom is gone.”
“Me either, Cara.”
Chapter 21
I’m staring at the television in Ares’s room, but I’m not paying attention to what’s on. Dante told his parents we needed a little time to ourselves before shuffling me out of the fancy living room. Milo wrapped his arm over my shoulder while Ollie trailed behind us. Ares caught up with us in the hallway a few moments later.
I’m not ready to talk about what I learned, and I’m grateful that Dante got us out of there when he did. I’m even more thankful that none of them are pushing me right now. I need time to deal with everything I learned this morning before adding anything else.
Ollie and Milo have taken up residence as my constant companions. The mood isn’t quite somber, but Ollie definitely isn’t his normal, flirty self.
I let out a sigh for what feels like the hundredth time this morning. Milo’s hand finds mine without taking his eyes from the TV. In truth, I don’t think any of us are really paying attention, but the distraction is welcome.
Dante is having a hard time sitting still. He’s gone to the kitchen no less than five times, and every time anyone even clears their throat, he offers to get a drink, a snack, anything to get out of the room for a few minutes.
I squeeze Milo’s hand but release him. I feel like I need to be doing more than just sitting here. Scooting toward the end of the bed, I make my way over to Ares. He’s been on his phone or laptop the entire time we’ve been back in the room. I don’t know what he’s working on, but it has to better than sitting here and wallowing in self-pity. “What are you doing?”
Ares turns to look at me, not answering while he takes his time running his eyes over me. Satisfied with whatever he sees, he says, “Now that I know who and what I’m looking for, I’m running down a few leads.”
I settle next to him with my arm on his shoulder, so I can see the screen of his laptop. He has several windows open, each with a different search running. The one in the top left corner is for the State Police of South Carolina. I glance over at him, wondering, not for the first time, what exactly Ares does?
The name Leon Whitmore is in the search bar, and the window has lines of text scrolling faster than I can read. Another window has the name Amanda Carmichael running a similar search. “Find anything?”
Ares wraps his arm around my hip and pulls me against his side. “Not yet, but I wasn’t expecting it to be that easy. You doing okay?”
I open my mouth to tell him I’m fine but stop myself and take a moment to actually think about how I’m feeling. “A little numb, actually,” I tell him honestly. I feel like I should be feeling more, especially considering the guy that killed my grandparents has a fifty-fifty chance of being my father.
Ares's eyes soften as he looks at me, and he tugs me closer so I’m draped over his lap, facing sideways. Without any false promises or trying to placate me, he lowers his chin to the top of my head and just holds me. I inhale, bringing the scent that is uniquely his within me. I’m more comforted by his presence than any words he could utter. None of us know what tomorrow might bring. But I know Ares, Dante, Ollie, and even Milo, will be with me every step of the way.