He let out a few curses and shot a look at Salvatore, who just shrugged and said, “I guess it’s one of those days.”
Lykos rolled his eyes.
“No, that can’t wait,” Lykos said, already standing up, grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair. “I need to get the kids to school, then I’ll be right there.”
He looked at the kids and mouthed to get going, causing Aria to protest on a small whine, “But I just started my breakfast. Why can’t Uncle Salvatore take us?”
“Because he has another matter he needs to attend to,” Lykos said calmly.
“But—”
“Aria, Uncle really needs to take care of this,” Dimitros said, looking at her pointedly, and Aria let out anooosound.
“I would do it, princess,” Salvatore justified somberly, already getting up and making his way out of the room too, “but this is important.”
“I can take them,” I chimed in. Lykos paused to look at me with suspicion, and I quickly added, “Let them finish their breakfast in peace, and I’ll walk them or drive them to school. I don’t mind since…”
I trailed off, not wanting to finish the statement. I didn’t want to remind the children about Amara’s state of mind.
“You’ll have to drive,” Lykos said.
I nodded. “I’m a good driver. And Dimitros can be my GPS.”
He paused as if debating whether it was a good idea or not, but he seemed to be in a bind and finally caved in. “Okay, thank you. Dimitros knows where the keys and the cars are.”
Before I could respond, he was gone, the front door slamming shut behind him.
I exhaled slowly, curling my fingers around the fork I hadn’t realized I picked up. I smiled and loosened my shoulders, meeting Dimitros’s and Aria’s eyes.
“Okay, let’s eat and then get going.” I shifted my focus to the eldest. “How much time do we have, Dimitros?”
He glanced at his phone. “Ten minutes.”
I nodded, then we all dug in, eating in silence. Aria swung her legs beneath her chair, making a thump sound every time her shoe kicked the leg of the chair.
She ate with gusto and there was a brightness to her expression as her long blonde braids bounced while she hummed to herself, completely unbothered. Gosh, it was almost scary how similar that mannerism was to Lily. My little sister did something similar every morning, insisting on eating her breakfast and taking it easy until we were out the door.
I flicked a glance at Dimitros who was watching me with a guarded gaze, almost as if he was studying me. Or maybe he just didn’t trust me.
For the next ten minutes, my own childhood played through my mind, the relentless ghosts of the past plaguing my mind. Lily’s light laughter. Her silliness. The comforting words whenever Father snapped.
“Well,” I said lightly, standing up, schooling my tone and features into a light mode. “Looks like it’s time to go.”
Aria grinned. “Are we late? I hope we’re late. Being late is exciting.”
Dimitros didn’t smile.
“We’re not late, and we don’t need more late marks on our record at school.” His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. Judging by his expression, no matter what, Aria could do no wrong in his eyes. “Anyhow, you love school.”
Aria shrugged. “Yeah, but I love being home more.”
I nodded. “Good. Then let’s aim to be on time, so I don’t get in trouble with your papa.”
Dimitros stood slowly, pushing in his chair.
“Deal.” Aria giggled, hopping off her chair. “I like her a lot. How about you, Dimitros?”
“I haven’t decided,” Dimitros muttered. His eyes flicked briefly toward his sister, softening for half a second before returning to me and hardening again. The kid was a mini Lykos, it was almost scary.
