by Fable Gray
“You cut yourself,” I told him, more to convince myself than him.
“I can explain.”
Which just confirmed it. He’d cut himself, and in a matter of moments, it had healed. And I’d caught it on camera.
Chapter 14
It was like the whole world shrank around us, holding me and Declan in a bubble, shutting us off from everything but each other.
When Declan spoke, I barely registered the words. “We need to talk about this.”
I blinked slowly, too many thoughts racing through my head. Declan was different like I’d suspected. But this…this was more. This was far greater than I’d guessed. Maybe that was why he hadn’t talked to the police. Maybe that was why he was so secretive. But that didn’t negate the possibility that he’d had something to do with my father getting hurt.
Oh, shit. Maybe my father had figured out his secret.
“I need to go,” I said, my voice wavering with nerves.
Declan reached out, his movements impossibly slow now. Like he was making an extra effort to appear completely normal.
“No,” I said, backing up. My phone rang in my purse and I pulled it out, already knowing I needed to call an Uber or someone to pick me up.
It was Xander. With Declan still watching me, I answered.
“I saw it,” Xander said, sounding breathless. “You’re there at Russo’s with Dark and I saw what just happened.”
I glanced down to the bumblebee camera and then back up at Declan, who still stood too close, his jaw clenched.
“I’m coming to get you right now,” Xander said.
“Hurry,” I whispered and hung up the phone.
Declan held up both hands like he was afraid to startle a wild animal. “I know this is confusing—”
“It isn’t,” I said, lifting my chin. “I know exactly what I saw. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
I turned abruptly, walking as fast as my heels would carry me. Declan appeared at my elbow.
“We need to talk about this. Samantha—”
“Stop,” I said, trying to shut him out with as few words as possible. “I’m leaving. I need—I need to go.”
“Dammit, will you just stop for a minute?”
I burst through the front door, not caring who was looking at me anymore. I needed to get out of here.
Xander, where are you?
“Samantha,” Declan started, something between anger and desperation flashing in his eyes. “I’ll get the car.”
“I’m not going with you.”
“We’ll talk and then I’ll take you home. You can’t—”
I pressed my hands against my cheeks, urgency hitting me. “Stop, please. Just leave me alone.”
His gaze searched my features, then softened. But he didn’t have the chance to say or do anything else before I heard a voice behind me.
A car had pulled up to the valet station. Xander opened the back door and beckoned me.
Relieved but full of conflict, I raced to the car and got in, shutting the door behind me.
“Go,” Xander instructed the driver.
I looked out of the window, swallowing when I saw Declan still standing on the sidewalk, staring after us.
“What the hell?” Xander asked.
“Just…wait until we get home.”
He did as I requested and instructed the driver to take us to our apartment. I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the seat, replaying what had happened tonight in my mind.
The kiss, the cut on his hand, and the miraculous way it had healed in just seconds. It didn’t seem real. The whole evening was like a page out of a story or a scene in a movie. It couldn’t be real, and it couldn’t be my life.
But when I opened my eyes, I was still in an Uber with Xander, still reeling over what had happened, and still 100 % certain of what I’d seen back in the restaurant.
Xander looked like he was about to explode. He managed to make it until we reached the building and got out on the sidewalk.
“Please tell me I didn’t imagine that,” I whispered.
He linked his arm through mine and guided me into the building. “Yes. I saw it and it was recorded on the computer.”
We got into the elevator alone. “How did you get there so fast?”
“I was on a phone call so I didn’t catch you until you were already getting out at Russo’s,” he said, still holding onto me like he was afraid I’d fall—or run away. “I didn’t know what was going on, but Dark looked tense. I called an Uber just in case and while I was on the way, I saw the whole thing with the glass on my phone.”
I glanced over when he took his phone out of his pocket. “You can see that through your phone?”
He held it up as we stepped out of the elevator, and I saw what the camera on the pin saw, us walking down the hallway to the door of our apartment.
“It was hard to see but after I played it back two times, it was kind of obvious what had happened,” Xander said. “And kind of obvious something was going on by Declan’s behavior.”
I dropped onto the couch, suddenly aware of how much my feet were aching. “So you believe me now.”
He held up his phone. “I have the proof right here, but I still can’t believe it.”
“He’s not just fast, he can…heal himself,” I said my voice sounding flat despite the incredible words that were coming out of my mouth.
“Definitely not Batman,” Xander said. “Wine?”
“God, yes.”
“Stay there.”
I didn’t argue, just took off my shoes and groaned at how good it felt. I could use a hot bath and something to eat, but I also needed to hear what Xander had to say. And figure out how to deal with this.
When my phone rang, my heart lurched. I looked to my purse sitting on the floor by the couch.
“That better not be who I think it is,” Xander said. He walked over with a glass of wine and passed it to me.
When I didn’t move except to take the glass, he crouched to retrieve my phone. His eyes widened when he looked at the screen.
“It’s Declan.”
I sat up straighter. “Don’t answer it.”
“No shit. What did he say to you?”
“What?”
The phone fell silent and Xander set it on the coffee table. “When you saw his hand, what did he say? I couldn’t hear.”
“He said, ‘I can explain.’”
Xander frowned, his hand fisted around the stem of the wine glass that resembled the one that had shattered in the restaurant.
“I mean, maybe he can,” Xander said reasonably. “Explain. Maybe that’s why he took you to dinner.”
Heat rose in my cheeks. I’d thought he’d taken me to dinner to discuss the kiss. To figure out what the hell was going on between us. But Xander was probably right. Maybe he was going to tell me the truth.
“I don’t know… That’s a pretty big secret to tell some random woman he barely knows,” I said.
Of course, he knew me well enough to kiss me. Maybe he wanted someone to confide in.
My phone buzzed, this time with a text message.
I looked at my screen. Declan again.
Answer your phone, he texted. We need to talk.
It rang again, and I squeezed it in my hand but didn’t answer.
“Persistent,” Xander commented. “But I guess I would be too if someone knew my deep, dark secret.”
Once the phone fell silent, I drank half my glass of wine. “You think my father knew and that’s why he was going to meet Declan?”
“I don’t know. I guess…” He scratched his chin. “I guess it makes sense.”
“None of this makes sense,” I told Declan, staring at the face of my phone because I knew it was going to ring again. “If my dad knew he was in trouble, why didn’t he say something?”
Xander shook his head. “Maybe he didn’t know. Or…” He pointed to his computers. “We have proof of what Declan can do. That’s what we need
to focus on right now.”
I wasn’t exactly a master at blackmail. Even with proof, what was I supposed to do with it?
Instead of a call, another text came through on my phone.
I gasped.
Xander leaned over. “What does it say?”
I held the phone up so he could read Declan’s words: Dammit, Royal. If you don’t call me back in one minute, I’m coming over there.
Shock coursed through me. “He knows who I am. And he knows where we live.”
Xander stood, looking around the room for something.
I stood as well. “What? What are we supposed to do?”
“Find a weapon,” he suggested.
I frowned. “Xander. I have to call. I have to see what he wants.”
“What if he wants the camera or—”
“Maybe he doesn’t know about that.”
Xander pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Call the police?”
“And say what?” I asked, incredulous. “My boss is a superhero, and he wants me to answer my phone? They’ll laugh their asses off.”
“If he shows up here and tries anything, no one will be laughing. He could get in trouble.”
“Yeah, if he does anything.” I lifted my phone. “I have to call him.”
Xander hesitated for another minute, then nodded. “Okay.”
I pressed the green button on the phone, put it on speaker, and waited. It only rang once before Declan’s rough voice came on the line.
“Royal,” he said.
“Declan,” I returned. “How do you know my real name?”
“This isn’t something I plan on talking about over the phone. And you shouldn’t either. It’s safer if we meet.”
Xander shook his head. “No fucking way,” he said, quietly enough Declan couldn’t hear.
“I’m not sure that’s the best idea,” I said, trying to keep my voice from wobbling.
I didn’t know what to do yet. I only knew that I wished my dad were here.
But he wasn’t. And the whole reason I was doing this was to get answers to help him.
“There are things that need to be cleared up and…” Declan cleared his throat. “I want to talk about what happened in the office tonight.”
Xander’s eyes came to mine. He gave me a questioning look.
Heat burned my cheeks. God, I was so glad he hadn’t been able to see that. But who knew what he’d heard?
I considered this, weighing my options. I needed answers. Right now, Declan was the only one who had those answers.
“Tomorrow morning,” I said.
Xander shook his head, waving his hands like he was trying to erase a horrible mistake I’d made.
“All right,” Declan said after a moment. “I’ll come to get you.”
“No. I’ll meet you. Somewhere busy. With a lot of people.”
“We can’t discuss what we need to discuss in a public place—”
“It’s that or I hang up the phone right now.”
“Dammit,” he growled. “You wouldn’t be saying that if you knew what this was really about.”
“But I don’t and getting pissed off isn’t making your case any stronger.”
He grumbled something else under his breath but finally conceded. “Fine. Where?”
“Patty’s. It’s a diner on—”
“I know it. Nine o’clock.”
“That’s fine,” I told him.
There was a long pause, then he said, “See you there.”
He ended the call without another word. I lowered the phone to the table and snagged my wine glass.
“What happened in the office?” Xander asked his eyes still wide.
“Nothing,” I snapped, though it was more out of embarrassment than irritation about him pestering me for the answer. “What the hell did I just get myself into?”
“Whatever the hell it is, you’re not dealing with it alone. I’m going with you tomorrow.”
Appreciation washed over me. Good. I didn’t know what Declan was going to say. So far, nothing I’d expected about him had turned out to be true.
And I was afraid there were still more surprises to come.
Chapter 15
The ringing of my phone woke me up at 7:30 am.
At first, I thought it was my alarm, but when I groaned and rolled over to check the time, I saw I still had twenty minutes. But when I lifted the phone and recognized the number from the hospital, I woke up immediately and answered it.
“Hello?”
“Is this Royal?” a woman asked.
“Yes, it’s me—are you calling about my dad?”
She identified herself as one of the nurses who worked at the hospital my dad was staying at. I recognized her name and vaguely remembered her face. She was new.
“I’ve called to tell you that your dad woke up early this morning,” she said. “He was asking for you.”
“Wait—he woke up?” I asked, my heart jumping out of my chest.
“Yes, early this morning.”
Oh, God. He wasn’t in a coma anymore. My throat tightened. “Is he okay?”
“The doctors are still in with him, but he looks to be doing well.”
Relief slid through me, coupled with excitement. It had been almost three months and he was finally awake.
I stood, already searching for clothes to wear. “Thank you for calling. I’m coming soon.”
Once we hung up, I fumbled through my purse for the card Randy had given me yesterday. Shit. What if he wasn’t up yet?
I risked it and sent him a text, hoping he wasn’t already driving someone else somewhere. Are you up for a drive? Kind of an emergency.
I pulled clothes out of the closet and then moved to my dresser to grab underwear. A quick shower and I’d hopefully be on my way.
Randy’s response came through before I got in the shower. One quick drop-off then I’m all yours. Be there in 20.
“Randy, you’re my hero,” I murmured.
I was in and out of the shower in less than ten minutes. I brushed my hair and sprayed in some leave-in conditioner but didn’t put any more effort into my appearance. It didn’t matter. This was my dad.
I’d sat with him for hours upon end after his accident. We’d been best friends before he’d gotten hurt.
He’d recognize me no matter how I looked.
I found Xander with an earpiece in his ear, pacing across the living room.
“Another meeting,” he mouthed at me.
Dammit. I was hoping he’d be able to go with me.
I pointed to the door. “I have to go. I’ll text you later.”
He frowned and glanced at the clock. “What about Dark? No, Mr. Yamaguchi, I was talking to my assistant. Can you hold for a minute?” He pressed a button at his ear and walked to me. “Don’t tell me you’re going to meet Dark alone. I’ll be done in thirty minutes and I’ll go with you like I said.”
“No, I have to go to the hospital. My dad woke up.”
“Royal! Shit—” He glanced around. “Okay, I’ll grab my stuff and—”
“It’s fine. I just want to get there and see him. I swear I’ll text you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I have to go. My Uber’s going to be here any minute.”
He looked torn, but finally, he nodded. “Okay. But do not go see Dark on your own, okay?”
“I won’t—”
“I’m serious, Royal. Call me before you do anything. I want you to be safe.”
“I will.” I kissed his cheek and hurried out the door.
Randy’s familiar car sat at the curb. He smiled when I got in. “Emergency hiking trip?”
“Actually, no. The hospital.”
He turned and immediately started driving. “I hope everything’s okay.”
I explained the situation to him as he drove, keeping my phone in my hand in case something new came up.
It was already after eight and I had no idea if I’d make it in time to see
Declan. But did it matter right now? If I still wanted answers, I had the one person who knew exactly what had happened.
“That’s a lot to deal with,” Randy said.
“It is,” I murmured. And I hadn’t told him anything about Declan, my superhero boss, or my recent undercover shenanigans.
“But that’s a good thing, right?” Randy asked. “That he’s awake.”
I nodded, swallowing hard. “I think so—I hope so. I mean, the nurse said he was doing well. I have to talk to the doctor and…”
Randy slowed when the hospital came into view. “I get it. Max has been in the hospital more times than I can count. Even when it isn’t something serious, I worry like there’s no tomorrow.” His eyes squinted with a smile as they met mine in the rearview mirror. “That’s life, right?”
I had to laugh. “I guess.”
“Probably would have been nice to get that hike in today, huh? Get some time out of the office and just breathe.”
He slowed to a stop at the same place he’d dropped me off last time.
I leaned forward in the seat and touched Randy’s arm briefly. “If I believed in soulmates, I think I might have found mine,” I told him with a laugh. “Your wife is a lucky woman.”
He pointed to his cell phone. “You want to call her and tell her that? I think she forgets sometimes—you know, like when I forget to take out the trash.”
With another laugh that eased some of my tension, I reached for the door handle.
“I can wait here until you’re done so you can have a ride back,” he said.
“No, I can’t ask you to do that.”
“Pfft, yes you can. I still need to eat breakfast—wife’s orders,” he said, pointing to a thermos on the passenger seat. “Oatmeal. Also wife’s orders. And I need to finish up this podcast that Max and I are apparently in dire need of discussing.”
God, could his family be more perfect? Sure, I knew nothing was perfect, but they seemed pretty darn close.
“Thanks, Randy. And if you need to go for any reason, you have my number. Just shoot me a text.”
I reached the nurse’s station in record time, and one of the more familiar nurses, Becky, greeted me.
“Is he okay? Can I go in to—”