Dwayne Smith.

(JARED'S POV)

At this point, my determination to learn more about the tattoo and the man tripled. I tried to connect the tattoo to the identity of the men; was it a symbol for a group or just a work of art?

But before I could pursue the thought any further, Nana Jean's voice rang out from the hallway, calling out to everyone to dinner.

I took a deep breath, forcing my thoughts about the tattoo out of my head for the moment. I'd have to figure this out later. For now, food.

I was about to head into the dining room when a thought hit me like a freight train.

Without a second thought, I walked over to Arielle, who was standing by herself. I pulled her aside, trying to keep my voice low, but I could feel the urgency in it.

"Arielle, can I ask you something?" My voice was almost a whisper.

She looked at me curiously, her eyes narrowing in wariness. "What is it?"

"It's about your bodyguard...Big Joe," I added for more emphasis. "Does he have a tattoo on his right arm?"

Her expression changed from curiosity to confusion. "A tattoo?" She repeated the word like it didn't make any sense. "I don't know... why are you asking?"

I hesitated, unsure of how much information to reveal. But before I could respond, Nana Jean's voice rang out from the dining room again.

"Dinner's ready, everyone!" she called, sounding cheerful as ever. "Come on in!"

Arielle looked at me like she wanted an answer, but I just gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "We'll talk later, okay? Let's eat."

too far. We all settled around the grand dining table. The clinking of silverware and soft

were complete, and for a moment, I wished we could stay like this forever,

started serving, and the smell of roasted meat, veggies, and fresh bread made my stomach

for our plates to be filled, small banters were exchanged around the table. Especially between Nana Jean

help but smile.

were all settling together to eat, Nana announced, "I have a surprise for you all. We have a special guest for the evening -a new family member." Arielle turned to look at me, her eyebrows

member?" she asked, her voice tinged with

kind that always left you guessing. "I never introduced him before because, well, his line of work is... let's

mystery family be

the door opened, and just as my mind was still racing to make sense of it all, a

entered the room, it was as if the air itself thickened, drawing everyone's

subtle but potent scent of expensive cologne wafted

Piercing emerald green...

(ARIELLE'S POV)

family member, I was like everyone else, taken aback. Over the years'd spent in this family, never heard of or met any extended relatives. So, I brushed it off. Maybe it was just a distant relative, someone whose

then, the

tilted on

was seeing before my breath

rapidly, trying to make sense of the impossible. I must've been losing

happening. But before I could get a grip, Maverick tugged at my shirt, whispering with wide eyes, "Isn't that Uncle Dwayne? I thought he was in Italia?" Normally, I would've been impressed by how sharply his little mind

my eyes. Not once. It was like I was a stranger to him. But I knew him. I knew those piercing emerald eyes.

in front of Nana Jean, his eyes

to hold its

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