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I call my father’s Town Car service and have them take both of us so I can make sure she is settled. I don’t know why, but I think about my mother, and how if she was in this position I would want someone to help her.
I suppose she was in a similar position, and her boys took care of her for a time, even Paris. I will repay that debt by taking care of his mother.
If I was worried that getting Ellen settled would be difficult, I shouldn’t have been. She is sweet, and the longer her medication has to work, the more coherent she becomes. The fog in her eyes seems to clear to reveal a sharp woman with a quick wit and a kind heart.
“Athena, dear. Can I ask you something?”
“Anything,” I say, sliding into the Town Car next to her while Heph gets into the front to give the driver directions.
“My son, is he a good man? Or is he like his father?”
I don’t expect such a blunt question. I take a moment, struggling to find the right words. “I don’t know. Paris and I have only known each other a short time.”
Ellen’s lips purse, and she looks down at her hands folded on her lap.
She knows something is wrong, but not what, and I can’t bring myself to leave her like this, worried for her son and what kind of man he is. I still don’t know if he is as calculating and cold as Eros seems to think…
“But,” I add, “in the short time we have known each other, Paris has shown himself to be a kind gentleman. He is charming and sweet, and the portrait of modern chivalry.”
Ellen’s eyes light up at my words, and it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Like the pride she feels for her son is somehow reflected in me.
Heph helps me get her settled, and by the time we are back in the car, it’s getting dark, and I am starving.
“Hey, should we grab dinner before heading back?” I ask.
“They already ate,” he answers, “but why don’t we go have dinner?” He rubs the back of his neck. “I feel like I owe you an apology, and I want to do it right.”
“Okay.” I’m a little hesitant and looking for the trap, but I can’t see one. We are in my father’s car, with one of his drivers, and we will be in public. What’s the worst he can do? And more importantly, I really am hungry. “What kind of food are you thinking?”
“There is a steakhouse not too far from here. Is that okay?”
“It is.” I grab my phone and send Eros a text.
Athena: Heph is taking me to dinner. Should I steal his knife?
Eros: Only if you want him eating half a cow with his bare hands.
Athena: Seriously, how worried should I be?
Eros: It will be fine. We know who is behind everything. Enjoy your dinner and when you get back, I’ll explain everything.
Athena: Or you could tell me now.
Eros: Enjoy your dinner, baby girl. Perseus and I are still gathering information. We should be done by the time you two are back.
Chapter
Thirty-Eight
Heph
“Why?” I ask Athena as we pull up to the restaurant.
“Why what?”
“Why are you helping Ellen? She is nobody to you. She’s worse than nobody, she is the mother of the man who may have killed your mother. Who lied to you?”
“None of that was her doing. Even if it was, I don’t think she is in the right headspace to be making evil plots.” She shrugs. I’m ready to drop it when she adds, “Paris told me something, and I don’t know if it’s true. I don’t know who to trust.”
“You can ask me. I won’t lie.”
She looks at me for a few moments, like she is trying to figure me out. It makes my skin crawl.
“I don’t think you would lie to me, or anyone. Why lie when you can use the truth like a war-hammer.” She laughs, making this cute little sound.
“That is fair.” I open the car door and step out, holding it open for her. It’s a popular restaurant, and I haven’t realized there would be a line around the building.
“Maybe we should try somewhere else,” I offer.
“No, it’s okay. I know the owner, and the Godwin family has a standing table here.”
“The Godwins have a table?” I’m a little confused.
She smiles at me and leads the way into the restaurant. Sure enough, the hostess sees her, greets her by name, and guides us straight to one of the best tables in the place.
The second the hostess is gone, a waiter is there to take our drink order.
“Do you eat red meat?” Athena asks me.
“Absolutely.”
“Allergic to anything?”
“No.”
“Good.” She takes both of our menus and hands them to the waiter. “We will take two of your largest ribeyes and one of all the sides, and a bottle of Macallan. Put it all on my family’s tab.”
