Dark Steel

by Fable Gray

  Except I’d seen it. I felt the flower fall from my hair but didn’t release my hold.

  When Declan came to a stop, he squeezed his arms around me so I wasn’t jolted by the sudden lack of movement. My fingers felt like they were glued to his shirt, clenched so tightly they were turning white.

  “Royal,” he murmured, his warm breath touching my ear. “You’re safe. You can let go now.”

  A bubble of nervous laughter came out and I tried to loosen my hold. Declan lowered me to the ground, and my body slid against him. My knees were wobbly, so he held me up, arms tight and strong around me.

  Suddenly, I became aware of the rush of the waterfall, the mist of water on my cheeks and bare legs. I turned in Declan’s grasp, only to be blown away again.

  We were at the waterfall, nearly a mile from where we just stood talking on the trail.

  Declan wrapped his arms around me from behind, holding me up as much as he was snuggling into the embrace. His cheek touched mine and he said, “Thank you for bringing me here.”

  “Technically, you’re the one who brought me here. I’ve never been up here with anyone else besides my dad.”

  “Does that make me special?”

  I turned and took his mouth with mine without a word. He growled with a newfound hunger that spoke volumes. In a flash he lifted me off my feet and carried me to a tree, so close to the waterfall, we were practically behind it.

  My clothes were speckled with water immediately, but I hardly noticed because his mouth was like a fever on mine.

  For the second time that day, I lost myself in Declan, safe and cocooned in the tress of the forest and his arms.

  Chapter 26

  We finished our hike, managing to make it to the peak of the trail. Faster than normal, because Declan had already brought us a mile with minimal effort.

  Fortunately, my clothes were nearly dry by the time we reached the top because the wind picked up, bringing in a chill and clouds that were supposed to offer a few hours of rain.

  After a small snack, we hiked the rest of the way back down and grabbed lunch on the way to Declan’s place.

  His home in the city was the exact opposite of his home at the base of the mountains—at least on the outside. We walked into the lobby of a large building, glass chandeliers hanging over us as he guided me to the elevators. It was clean and contemporary, and I felt severely undressed seeing that most everyone else had on either suits or skirts and dresses.

  We stepped into the first available car and Declan’s fingers curled around mine. Even after several hours of hiking, he still looked fresh. And sexy.

  “No fair,” I murmured.

  “What’s that?”

  “We were out there hiking for the same amount of time, but I look like I was caught in a rainstorm, and you look perfect.”

  He turned and cupped my cheek with one of his large hands. “You always look perfect to me. And I don’t like you thinking otherwise.”

  His words sank in. I did think otherwise because I’d been told otherwise in the past by my ex dick of a boyfriend who wasn’t my boyfriend after all. Because it turned out he’d been seeing other girls at the same time he’d been telling me how to dress and how to act and when to spread my legs for him.

  “We’ll talk,” Declan said.

  I blinked and looked up, realizing he’d been studying my face and he could see that I was thinking about the past. Dammit. My face gave too much away. Either that or Declan was just too perceptive.

  When the elevator released us, Declan took my hand and stepped out. We walked to the door across shiny tiles and he prepared to unlock it. Then he froze, his muscles tensing and his grip tightening on my hand.

  He cursed.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked, my brain instantly on high alert.

  “We're not alone.”

  For one crazy minute, I thought he might have superhuman hearing too and could tell that someone was in the apartment. But then he pushed on the door and it swung open, already unlocked.

  “Stay here,” Declan said, his jaw clenched.

  I started to protest as he peered into the apartment, but then we both heard a voice.

  “Don’t worry, it’s just me.”

  Declan cursed again and frowned. “How did you get in here?”

  I didn’t recognize the male voice, so I stepped to the doorway, curious. It was someone Declan knew. And by the tone of his voice, someone he wasn’t happy to see.

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  “Who’s that?” the new voice said. I heard footsteps, and then another man appeared, a familiar man.

  “Dad,” Declan said tightly, “this is Royal. Royal, my dad—Christopher Dark.”

  I took the hand he offered, now feeling even more underdressed. I still had on shorts and a hoodie from our hike, and he wore some fancy suit that probably cost more than everything in my closet.

  “It’s wonderful to meet you,” Mr. Dark said. “And it’s about time.”

  I glanced at Declan, concerned. His father had been paying attention and knew that Declan and I had been spending time together.

  “We weren’t expecting company,” Declan told his father in a stern voice.

  “And I wouldn’t have come, but I thought this might be a better conversation to have privately instead of in the office.”

  I didn’t miss the surreptitious look his father gave me, and suddenly felt completely exposed and out of place.

  “Maybe I should go,” I started.

  Declan’s gaze snapped to mine. “That won’t be necessary.” He looked to his father again. “I’m not sure what conversation you’re speaking of, but I’m sure it can be discussed at work.”

  His father sighed and strolled into the apartment again, stopping by the couch that was spaced out in front of wide windows, similar to Declan’s office at work.

  I let my gaze wander the large space, the shiny tiles, the kitchen off to the side with warm woods and stainless steel.

  I’d been looking forward to seeing his place, but now I kind of wanted to go hide somewhere until Mr. Dark was gone.

  “It’s personal just as much as business,” Mr. Dark said.

  I opened my mouth again to say I could go somewhere else but Declan seemed to anticipate this, and he took my hand, pulling me further into the apartment. “Would you like some water or something else to drink?”

  “No, thanks. I’m fine.”

  Declan gave a curt nod and turned his attention back to his father. “Anything you have to say to me can be said in front of Royal.”

  His father’s jaw clenched, reminding me of Declan. Even though they weren’t blood, they still had some of the same mannerisms. A serious nature, the authoritative voice. They both commanded a presence when they walked into the room.

  “If you’re talking about the serum,” Declan said, “Royal already knows.”

  “Serum,” his father said, testing the word. “It works. But telling her…not so much.”

  My stomach clenched. How had Declan guessed that was why his father was here? Or had they been planning on talking before? I remembered back to the text and phone call he’d gotten on the evening we’d gone to dinner with Xander. Maybe his father had sent them.

  “I assume that’s why you had her followed,” Declan said, his face unreadable.

  I glanced at him sharply. Christopher Dark had had me followed? How long had Declan known this?

  “I had to see what she knew. This was never meant to be public information. You know that, Declan.”

  “She’s not just a random member of the public and you know that.”

  Christopher shoved his hands into his pockets and paced to the window. He lifted his voice so we could hear him. “Your interest in the serum has made me think that maybe its effects weren't as mild as you let on.”

  “I wanted to know what was given to me,” Declan said, being vague on purpose.

  “And I told you I would give you as much information
as you need. As soon as you came in for some tests. Once we got the information we needed.”

  “We?” Declan asked.

  His father ignored the question, either because he didn’t want to answer or because he’d slipped. So, his father wasn’t the only one involved. Which meant someone else knew about the serum.

  “If you agree to the tests we discussed before, then this is a conversation we can have.” Declan’s father turned to face us again.

  Declan’s hand clenched almost painfully tight around mine. “Not unless you tell me who else is involved. And who else you gave the serum to.”

  “I can’t agree to those terms.”

  “Then I guess this conversation is over,” Declan said.

  I bit my lip. Crap. This wasn’t looking good at all. If we didn’t get more information, we didn’t have any idea what had really happened to my father. Which meant we didn’t know if he was still in danger.

  Mr. Dark strolled in our direction, his eyes skimming my face before they landed on Declan again. “Take care who you tell your secrets to.”

  Then he strode out the door, closing it softly behind him.

  I blew out a quiet breath, more shaken by the conversation than I realized. I’d expected Mr. Dark to be a formidable figure, but that was intense. No wonder Declan respected him but also didn’t trust him entirely. He was holding back things, secrets, maybe information that would be important to Declan.

  I touched Declan’s arm. “Are you okay?”

  Instead of an answer, Declan turned and pulled me close, his arms coming around me in a tight band that nearly took my breath away.

  “I guess I need to talk to security,” he said, clearly meaning it as a joke, but it came out serious instead. “I’m sorry.”

  “You’re sorry?” I tried to pull back, but he wouldn’t release me. “Declan. Please, tell me you’re okay.”

  He smoothed his fingers down my hair and breathed in my ear, “Yes, I’m okay. I just wasn’t prepared for a confrontation like that. My dad always knows how to catch people off guard, when they’re least expecting it. I had called and left a message with his secretary for him to come in for a meeting. He probably figured he’d get what he wanted if he came here and rattled me. Though,” he said with a small laugh, “he probably wasn’t expecting to see you too.”

  “It sounded like he knows about us.”

  Declan kissed my cheek. “I have no doubt about it. I might not see him much, but he knows everything that's going on with the company, and that includes me.”

  “You didn’t tell me,” I said, feeling the slightest hint of betrayal. “You didn’t tell me that he was the one having me followed.”

  “I didn’t know for sure. I swear to you, Royal. It was a guess, and I just happened to be right.” He brushed his thumb on my cheek. “You believe me, don’t you?”

  I considered this and nodded. “Yes.” Then I fought back a shiver, wondering how many times Christopher Dark had had me followed. “So he isn’t working alone.”

  “Apparently not.”

  “Do you think they’re involved in…all this? What happened with my dad? Or that they even know what the serum was for?”

  Declan leaned back and shook his head. “I don’t know. But the way he talked, it still sounds like active research. Like there’s more going on than just his interest and how the serum affected me. Your father said he might have given it to someone else or more than someone else. I wonder if it affects everyone the same way.”

  “We should talk to my dad. He could probably figure out more.”

  “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 before you were up.”

  “Do you have people working for you 24/7?” I asked.

  Declan brushed his thumb on my jaw. “I do. And before you chide me, I pay them very well.”

  I smiled. “Chide you? I wouldn’t presume to try to tell you how to run your business.”

  “You would probably do a pretty good job of it yourself if you were in my position.”

  “You have that much confidence in me?” I asked.

  “I have every confidence in you.”

  I leaned up to kiss him gently on the lips. He made a sound of pleasure low in his throat, but then Xander was making a noise of disapproval.

  I looked over at the face he made, amused.

  He pulled his mouth away from the phone. “I thought we were supposed to be working here.”

  “It’s part of the job requirements,” Declan told him.

  “Yeah, pretty sure that’s sexual harassment. Anyway, your dad said if we could access the notes for each scientist in the laboratory, we might find more information. I know it was a secret project or whatever, but they have to log equipment and what they used for every experiment. Your dad said he already knows most of the ingredients or whatever, but if we could figure out the rest, he can recreate the serum.”