"Do you know him?" Lara asked when she caught the shift in Ares' expression.
It was subtle, but she didn't miss it—the way his jaw tightened, the way his eyes lost their usual lazy calm.
Ares gave a careless shrug, like it meant nothing.
"An old acquaintance."
His voice was flat, but his gaze hardened, cold enough to cut glass.
Gary Vice.
The name dragged up memories he'd buried years ago.
Could Gary know about Shay? Did he approach her on purpose?
No… that didn't make sense.
He hadn't seen the man in eight years. There was no way Gary could know. Shay's identity was locked down tight—kept as a secret and only family and a few friends knew about it.
Still, the thought lingered like smoke he couldn't clear.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," Lara said quietly.
She turned to go, heels whispering against the floor, then she stopped.
A strange hesitation rooted her in place.
Shouldn't she wait for his permission?
