My heart squeezed tight. My father had adored my mother, and from what I remember, they had a wonderful relationship. They used to cook together and dance together in the kitchen while I watched. They used to stay up late and talk on the front porch while I listened from my window.
It was the kind of love I thought I might never have, and now my dad was indicating that it might be right in front of me.
I swallowed hard and set that thought aside. I needed to deal with what was going on right now, and right now, I needed to talk to Declan. I was used to having my own space and used to making my own decisions. That couldn’t change just because he was in the picture.
I hugged my dad. “I’m glad you’re home.”
He squeezed me against his chest and nodded. When he spoke, his voice was gruff. “Me too.”
When we pulled apart, his gaze narrowed on my face in scrutiny. “How did you two really meet?”
“Promise you won’t get mad.”
He laughed. “You know, when you say something like that to a parent, it’s a guarantee that they will get mad.”
I gave him a winning smile. “Just remember that I’m a grown woman. And I take after my dad.” He rolled his eyes but listened. “I wanted to know more about Dark Enterprises and Declan. With Xander’s help, I found out that you two had communicated before your accident. So I figured the best way was to get some information on Dark Enterprises.”
My dad’s eyebrows lifted. “What kind of information?”
“It’s not important. But I ended up sort of getting a job there and I started working with Declan. I learned a lot about him that way and discovered that he wasn’t responsible for your accident. At least not directly.”
“What does that mean? Not directly?”
“I want to explain it all to you but it’s not my place.”
My dad frowned but nodded. “I can respect that.”
Declan returned, putting his phone in his pocket. “It’s all set. They should be here in a few minutes.”
My dad pointed to the kitchen. “Good. I’m going to make a sandwich. And then… Maybe go over some emails.”
“No work,” I reminded him. “You have to wait till the doctor clears you. And I just want to make sure it’s safe.”
My dad frowned. “I’m going to need answers here soon, Royal.”
I nodded. I’d work on talking to Declan to see if he would open up to my dad. But we had already given him a lot to deal with today. I’d let him get his sandwich and get settled. I’d give him his space for a little bit now that I knew there was someone outside and he was safe.
We all said goodbye and Declan and I walked outside to the car that was waiting for us. Declan reached for my hand before we could get inside, but I pulled away and shook my head.
“Not quite yet,” I told him. “I have something I need to say to you.”
Chapter 24
“Let’s talk while we ride,” Declan said, glancing around uneasily.
I couldn’t argue with that. I didn’t want him feeling like we were in danger. I gave a curt nod and pulled open the back door before Declan could. I hopped inside and slid across the seat, the smell of leather hitting me and relaxing me just slightly.
“Home, sir?” the driver asked.
I leaned forward in my seat so I could meet his gaze in the mirror, recognizing him from when Declan had introduced me before. Declan had called him Davis.
“Can you please take me to my house?” I asked him.
Declan gave me a sharp look.
“I have to get changed for work,” I told him.
“We're not going to work after this,” he said.
“You mean you’re not. I still have things I need to do. Commitments. I told Tim that I would help out with more emails or whatever needed to be done.”
“That’s not your job,” Declan said with a quiet snap in his voice.
“I thought we established I don’t really have a job. Nothing except for the project, which we should be working on. But if you have other plans, you’re welcome to them. I’d like to go into work.”
I folded my arms and arched my brow at him.
“Take us to my place,” Declan told Davis.
I could see Davis’s shoulders straighten. I knew he didn’t want to argue, but he had conflicting information.
I gritted my teeth. I waited until we slowed for a red light and then said to Davis, “Please take me to my house.” I reached out to set my hand on the door handle and gave Declan a purposeful look. “Or else I will walk there myself.”
Declan’s jaw clenched. His muscles tensed like he was ready to spring into action.
“I know you can’t race after me,” I told him. Not unless he wanted to make a scene. Or expose who he really was.
“Dammit, Royal,” Declan growled.
I gave him one more second to do what I asked, and then I pulled the handle, letting the door swing open.
“Miss,” Davis started.
But Declan was faster than the both of us. He reached out to slam the door closed and snapped at Davis, “Bring us to Royal’s house.”
I folded my arms and gave myself a little nod. Good. He had to see that he wasn’t in charge of me.
Declan shifted to face me. I could feel the heat of his gaze on my profile. I crossed my legs and tried not to think about how hot that made me. I was supposed to be indignant right now, not wishing he’d put that passion into something else.
