“We wanted to make sure you were safe,” I said.
“Safe?” He stopped pacing for a moment to look at both of us. “Because you think I’m in danger somehow.”
Declan cleared his throat. “We didn't know what happened with your accident. Because of that, we had to assume there was a reason you didn’t make it to my house that day. Do you remember what happened?”
My dad grumbled in frustration and started pacing again. “I remember being in the lab, remember looking at what that—” He glanced at me— “that serum was made of, and thinking how unbelievable it was. Something like that could cure so many illnesses, could make a man more than a man.” I glanced at Declan out of the corner of my eye, wondering how much he was comfortable telling my dad. He would be a great ally. But I also didn’t want him to be involved any more than he already was. My dad continued, “And I remember getting your email and asking to meet.” He looked up once more. “I think I even remember getting in the car. And that’s it.”
Declan scratched his jaw and nodded. “It feels too coincidental to be an accident. And I feel terrible that something happened to you because you were helping me.”
My dad waved off the comment like he’d done nothing more than offer his seat to an old woman on a bus. “You didn’t do anything.” He stopped again and then turned to face Declan, folding his arms. “Though I don’t remember you ever telling me why you wanted this information so badly.”
Declan’s jaw clenched. I knew he kept information close to the chest because it was safer for him and he’d grown used to not speaking about his abilities or his past. But he’d told me, and my dad was just as trustworthy as I was.
I touched Declan’s arm. “You can trust him. I promise.”
Declan’s eyes held mine for a long moment. I didn't think he was questioning the truth of what I said, but more drawing strength from those words.
He unfolded his arms and spoke to my dad. “I wanted to know what was in that serum because my father gave it to me.”
My dad’s mouth dropped open. “He gave it to you? Like… when? And did he test it first? I’m going to need a sample of your blood, and I’m going to—”
“Hold on,” Declan said.
My dad lifted his hands. “But this is…amazing. And unheard of. And we don’t even know how this will affect you down the road. Or how it’s already affected you. Also…”
“What?” I asked when he didn’t continue.
His eyes locked on mine. “They made more of the serum. It wasn’t just what your father gave you. They made enough for…several doses. And who knows, there could have been more after that.”
His words sunk in, and I could see the same surprise on Declan’s face. There could be other people out there walking around with the same abilities as him. Maybe even people he knew.
Declan scrubbed his hands over his face. It was a lot, I knew. And with this kind of information, Declan was right. It was way too much of a coincidence that my dad got in an accident right before he was going to tell Declan what he’d found out.
“I think you should come to stay with me,” I told my dad.
He snorted. “Me, you, and Xander all living under the same roof? Not necessary.”
“It's necessary if you're in danger—”
“Does it look like I’m in danger?” My dad walked to the window and peered outside. It was a beautiful, sunny day. If danger lurked in the shadows, it wasn’t something we could see. “See? Safe and sound.”
“You don’t know that. You didn’t think anything was going to happen to you that day you were going to see Declan, but it did.”
Declan’s hand wrapped around my arm in an assuring gesture.
My dad noted the motion but didn’t say anything. He only shook his head. “I’d rather be here. After everything that’s happened, this is where I should be.”
I opened my mouth to argue again but Declan put his arm around me. “Would you be willing to have two men stationed outside? They’d see who was coming and going and make sure you're safe.”
I glanced sharply at Declan.
“They know what they’re doing,” he told me. When I frowned, he continued, “It’s better than nothing.”
My dad shrugged. “That’s fine by me. Royal, you should probably stay here too then. You need somebody looking out for you as well.”
My mouth popped open in protest, but Declan nodded immediately. “Don't worry, I’ve already figured that out.”
With wide eyes, I looked at him. He had already figured that out? What was that supposed to mean? He hadn’t said anything to me.
“Good,” my dad said before I could say anything. And suddenly, they had this understanding that neither had chosen to discuss with me. My dad met my eyes. “As long as you’re safe, I’ll feel better.”
Declan walked across the living room and grabbed my father’s bag. “I’ll put this in your room for you and call who I need to call to make sure they’re all set up outside.”
My dad nodded and pointed. “Last door on the right.”
Declan gave me a meaningful look before he vanished down the hallway. I returned it with a glare. I didn’t need anyone mapping out my life for me. I’d been there before, and it hadn’t worked any better then.
“Don’t be mad at him,” my dad said. “He’s just trying to take care of you.”
I folded my arms. “It’s not his responsibility to take care of me.”
My dad scratched his cheek. “I see how he looks at you. He looks at you like I used to look at
