“And when we get back to work, we can narrow it down to the scientists my father was working with. Maybe we can get some information from them too, even if we have to be more discreet about it.”
“Discreet?”
Declan’s lips quirked. “Maybe a certain super hacker genius you know might be able to help us.”
“I think he would love that. He was definitely into the whole spy thing we were doing trying to infiltrate Dark Enterprises.”
He stepped back and his eyes scanned my body. “Maybe next time you can wear a tight leather outfit. Like a ninja.”
“Interesting fantasy you have there, Mr. Dark. Me as a ninja? Or is it just the black leather?”
He grinned. “You wearing anything is a fantasy of mine and you wearing nothing also applies.”
His dark rumble of words made me wet, made my core clench with sweet anticipation.
But then Declan’s face went serious. “I know I didn’t discuss this with you before, but now I’m afraid I have to insist.”
“Insist on what.”
“Insist that you don’t stay alone. I’d feel better if I was with you, and probably Xander too because he’s involved.”
“Is my place okay?”
Declan caught my hand and brought my fingertips to his lips. “I thought there might be an argument.”
I gave him an easy smile. “No, I’d feel better if you were with us.”
“Not just me. We’ll have someone stationed outside as well.”
I nodded automatically, already figuring that was the case. I’d also check on my dad after this as well to make sure everything was still okay at his place.
Declan pulled me close again, this time for a simple and sweet hug even though my body was still aching for him in places that had already been thoroughly pleasured today.
“I love you, you know that Royal?”
I hissed in a breath of air, my heart pinching with the sweet words. “I know,” I breathed, trying to savor his admission at the same time guilt ate at me.
“I’m not expecting you to say anything,” Declan said. He ran his hand up and down my back in a soothing motion. “I just want you to know. I’ve never said that to anyone else before, and it feels right with you. Meant to be. I want to say it as much as I can.”
I swallowed hard and buried my face in his neck, the words nearly on the tip of my tongue. I wanted to say it back, wanted him to know how strong my feelings were too, but the words just wouldn’t come.
Chapter 27
Friday came quickly. I still hadn’t gotten over the novelty of waking up to Declan in my bed or working in tandem to make coffee, get dressed, and head out to our car.
It was so domestic and normal, I could see myself doing it in the future. Like a real, everyday relationship.
The last few days had shown me that I didn’t just respect Declan, I truly cared for him. He wasn’t just a wonderful businessman, he was a wonderful man in general. Any woman would be lucky to have him. To love him.
Which made me feel even guiltier. I was heading headfirst into love, but I kept shoving the idea aside. And forget about saying the words out loud. Maybe it was because the last time I’d said them, the words had gotten thrown back at me. Or another time, the words had been lost because my mother had died. Or the last time I told my father I loved him and then he’d gotten in an accident and had been lost in a coma for months.
For now, it was easier to set those feelings aside instead of exploring them. Instead of convincing myself to be vulnerable again and then potentially get hurt.
Today, Xander came with us to the office. Declan deemed it would be more useful to have him in person. I think he was also concerned about his safety, which warmed me and made me appreciate him even more. I felt better about having Xander close just in case. Mr. Dark had already admitted to having someone follow me. What if he didn’t stop at that? What if he’d had someone follow my father and some turn of events had caused my father’s accident?
I enjoyed seeing how excited Xander seemed to be heading into the industrious Dark Enterprises. How he looked all around the car as we drove to work, how he immediately put on his visitor badge in the lobby of the building, and how he smiled in the elevator all the way to the top floor.
I could see him here, could see him working in a place that would utilize his abilities.
But for today, we need him for research.
Xander got set up at the table in Declan’s office and Declan provided him with a list of every employee who worked in the lab.
“Almost everyone on this list was around back when my father created this serum,” Declan said. “Except for these two.”
Xander put a question mark next to them instead of crossing them off the list. “Okay so these two probably weren't involved but we won't get rid of them entirely.” Xander looked at me. “Let me also call your dad and see if he has any idea who might have helped.”
When he pulled out his cell phone Declan shook his head. “Not on that.” He walked to his desk and pulled out another phone. This one small and silver.
He gave it to Xander. “A burner phone,” he said. “Just in case.”
Xander grinned. “How very James Bond of you.”
He found my father’s number in his phone and then called on the burner.
“When did you get that?” I asked Declan as Xander started speaking with my father.
“Yesterday morning. I made a few calls
