jokes. I turn my face away from him and out toward the rising sun. I’m not even sure where we are anymore. All I know is we’re about forty miles from my father’s house. North, East, South, or West, I’m not sure.
“Good to know, I guess.” I try to joke as well, easing all the tension from the room.
“I’m going to make breakfast. You hungry?”
“Fuck, yeah, I am,” Enzo chimes in, his voice causing a cascade of goosebumps to form over my body.
Jared shakes his head, causing dark locks to fall to his forehead. “I bet you are. I heard you last night…”
“Oh, really. I bet it wasn’t me you heard, but your little sis over there…” Enzo comments, throwing a wink in my direction. I can’t help the smile that pops onto my face.
“Ha. Don’t even bring that up.” Jared gets up from the table, while I just stand there ogling Enzo’s shirtless upper body. His hair is in a fuck-me kind of way, and his body is still in top shape even though I know he was on bed rest for a few weeks.
Jared’s phone rings, breaking the spell Enzo’s abs have on me. He answers it within a second, bringing the phone to his ear.
“Dad...” I pretend as if I’m not listening to the conversation, but Enzo catches me out of the corner of his eye.
“Eavesdropper,” he teases, shaking his head like he disapproves. I almost roll my eyes at him.
“Don’t be nervous, piccolo,” Enzo says calmly as if he’s trying to calm my raging nerves.
“I’m not,” I lie, forcing my attention to something else.
“He is a nice man, I promise you.”
“You know him?”
“Yes. Jared’s family and mine go way back. No worries, love, you’ll be fine.” He sends me one of those smiles that make my knees weak before he gets up from the table.
“I have to shower. I’ll be back.” And just like that, he’s gone.
“Yup, see you soon.” Jared hangs up the phone. See you soon? Gah. This means I’m about to come face to face with my real father.
The rest of the morning passes with ease. I sit in the living room most of the time reading or watching TV. I’m simply trying to get back to regular life by catching up on some of my favorite TV shows.
I was told not to turn the news on, but I did anyway. It turns out I shouldn’t have. John’s face is plastered on the screen. The news channel is talking about his murder and how the FBI is on the lookout for anyone with any answers to how his death came about. I have two words for them—Lorenzo King. Though I’m sure they already know.
“He’s here,” Jared says from across the room as he paces the floor for the twentieth time. My stomach is in knots by the time I hear the doorbell ring, and I’m about ready to vomit on the floor.
“Son...” I hear him before I see his face. His voice is deep and gravelly, reminding me of my father’s.
“Dad.” Jared sighs, wrapping his father in a tight hug.
I stay seated, not sure if I should get up or not. Is he expecting to hug me too? I don’t know if I’m okay with that.
They walk through the entryway, and his dark eyes slide across the room until they land on me. He looks very similar to John in many ways, which makes sense since they were brothers. His face is worn, and his eyes are dark, holding a look of sadness in them. They brighten slightly upon landing on me, but otherwise, he looks like a man who has settled on hard times.
“Amara?” My name sounds completely unnatural on his tongue. His voice and looks might match my dad’s, but not the way he says my name. There is no familiarity.
Smiling softly, I stand, taking small steps to where he’s standing.
“That’s me,” I say, almost shyly. I’m never shy, scared shitless, maybe, but shy? No. That’s not me usually.
I hold out my hand, offering him to shake it, but instead, he reaches out, pulling me into his arms. My first instinct is to pull away, to push against his chest, but I fight it. His body encompasses my small frame as the smell of smoke and cologne hit me, and I let that sense calm my nerves a little.
“I can’t believe it.” He sounds on the verge of tears. James releases me with hesitation as if he thinks I’ll skip away