Dark Steel

by Fable Gray

  “Recreate it?” Declan asked, walking closer.

  “Not that he’d need to, but then he would know just what it was capable of. Or at least get an idea. And then we’d also know who else might be involved.”

  I nodded. “Tell him we’ll work on it.”

  With Xander’s expertise, we got most of the information we needed by lunchtime. We’d also narrowed down the scientists to three. All of them worked closely with Mr. Dark. I scanned the list and saw two unfamiliar names—Johnson and Vigil—and then my dad’s name.

  “Is it creepy or good that your dad is on this list?” Xander asked.

  “We already know my dad was involved,” I told him. “Or that he was consulted.”

  “He had no idea what the project was for,” Declan said, looking distracted. “But there is someone on the list who probably does.”

  I followed his gaze to two other names on the list and my stomach clenched at the veiled fury there. Shit. Who did he know on that list? Or what did he know that he wasn’t saying?

  “Do you recognize someone?” I asked him.

  Declan glanced up and gave me a tight smile. “I know almost everyone who works in the lab.” He sighed and shrugged. “It just doesn’t sit right with me that one or more of them might be in on something deeper and darker.”

  I studied his features, noting the strain around his lips and feeling deep in my gut that he wasn’t telling me the whole truth. I was getting pretty good at reading him as well and something felt off.

  Xander slid a sheet of paper over. “And here’s a list of most of what was used for this serum. I can’t pronounce most of them.”

  I looked over the sheet of partially familiar words and descriptions. But even I couldn’t understand at all.

  “We should show this to my dad,” I said.

  Declan nodded. “I can have someone bring it over.”

  “Actually, I was hoping I could leave a little earlier and take it to him myself. I wanted to check on him and…” I didn’t finish the sentence. Actually, I just wanted to talk to him. Spend some alone time with him.

  Declan checked his watch. “I planned on putting in another hour or two, and then I can go with you.”

  “No.” I shook my head. “It’s fine. I thought I could spend an hour or two with him alone. And I want you to make sure you get your work done.”

  A muscle worked in his jaw while he thought. “I don’t want you to go by yourself…”

  “I’ll be fine. I promise. I can get Randy to take me or—”

  “Not Randy,” Declan said. When he saw the confused look on my face he continued, “It’s not that I don’t trust him. It’s that I have a small team of men that I’m used to working with. They’re armed and used to dealing with situations that might be more intense. I’ll get Parker to take you.”

  Xander gave me a wide-eyed look before going back to his computer.

  Declan took my hand and guided me further away from the table, close to his desk, in front of the window.

  “I can’t let anything happen to you,” he said, his voice low and filled with emotion. “Please understand. I’m not trying to stifle your individuality or boss you around, but I am asking you to do this for me. Please go with one of my guys so I can make sure you’re safe. So I can get through the rest of the afternoon without worrying about you. At least not too much.”

  I reached up and touched his cheek, moved by how much he cared. And happy that he was asking me instead of telling me. “Of course.”

  His gaze softened. “That easy?”

  I nodded. “That easy.”

  We made a copy of the list to bring to my father and after I’d said goodbye to Xander, Declan walked with me to the elevator.

  “I promise I’ll be okay.”

  He nodded but didn’t release my hand, even when the elevator doors open. “I’ll walk down with you.”

  We stepped into the elevator, our hands still locked together, fingers entwined. His warm ones laced with my cold ones. I never felt like a cold person before, but around Declan, it always seemed that way because he was so warm.

  “I’ve instructed Parker to go straight to your father’s house, where he can relieve one of the men there. Please don’t ask him to stop along the way.”

  I shot him an amused look. “Where would I stop?”

  He shrugged. “Just making sure.”

  Still amused, I squeezed his hand. “Should I call you after I’m finished there?”

  He nodded. The elevator doors dinged and let us out. My heels clicked as we crossed the lobby. I instinctively squeezed my purse against my body, aware that I had sensitive information inside. Information that could get us into this even deeper than we already were.

  “Let me know what time, and I’ll be ready by then.”

  “I figured I would just stay for an hour or two, make sure he has something ready for dinner, and keep him company for a bit. See if he can make any sense of this.” I pointed to my purse.

  Declan opened the door for us, and we walked outside under clouds filled with rain. “It should hold off until later tonight,” he murmured, almost as if to himself.

  “Is everything okay?” I asked, turning to face him.

  He looked around before leading us directly to the car. “I don’t like this. I’d prefer if I were going with you.”

  “Time apart makes the heart grow fonder,” I told him with a smile, trying to lighten the situation.

  His eyes narrowed on mine as he opened the door. “I’m already fond enough. I don’t need time away from you to cement that.”

  To my surprise, he got into the car with me after instructing Parker to give us a minute.

  “Declan,” I said, surprised.

  “Just assure me you’ll be careful.”

  I’d already assured him, already promised him, but he looked so worried that I squeezed his hand. “I promise.”

  “And if anything is off or anything feels wrong, let me know. And stay close to Parker. As I said, he’s switching out with one of my other guys, so he’ll be close.”

  “I will.”

  He tipped my chin up and kissed me softly. “Good.”

  I squeezed his hand again. “You can talk to me, you know. Like if something else is bothering you or…”

  His eyes scanned my features like he was trying to figure out what was behind the question. “I know.”

  But he didn’t say anything more, just kissed me again, taking it from chaste to steamy in a split second. By the time I was almost panting and I’d completely forgotten about what I’d been saying, he pulled back and set his hand on the door.

  “What was that for?” I asked.

  He gave a small smile. “Something to ensure you won’t stay away long.”

  “As if I could.”

  He stepped out of the car and leaned back in to meet my eyes. “Good. I hope that means for the entire weekend because I have plans.”

  “Plans?”

  “Plans,” he affirmed. “Call me when you’re done.”

  He shut the door, and I watched him speak to Parker for a moment. Parker nodded several times before he finally got in with me and gave me a warm greeting.

  “Afternoon, Miss Patterson.”

  “Good afternoon, Parker.”

  Declan waited by the car until we’d driven out of sight. As always, leaving him created an almost physical ache inside of me. I placed my hand over that spot on my chest, worry creeping into my mind.

  The last time I had felt this way had been in college, and I had wanted every free moment I had with Tate. He would text me during class and ask me to come over, convince me with sweet words and promises, and I would drop everything and go to him. I felt wanted.

  At least until he hadn’t reciprocated. I’d always go to him at the drop of a hat, but it was only when he wanted something. When I tried to text him or ask him to spend time with me, he either declined or ignored me.

  It took until after the relationship was
over to see how unhealthy it was. And how one-sided.

  But that wasn’t what I had here, was it? I mean, Declan was there for me and I reciprocated. We communicated well. But when I was away from him, I felt it. That same feeling when I was longing to spend time with Tate.

  Feeling the same feeling gave me pause. Made me worry I was heading into another unhealthy relationship.

  Not that I knew what a healthy one looked like.

  I laughed to myself. Actually, I did. My parents. They’d been in a healthy relationship and even then, didn’t seem to want to be apart. Maybe what I had with Declan was real.

  I thought about this until we reached my father's house, where Parker got out and walked me to the door.

  I called out for my dad when I got inside, worried when I didn’t hear him right away. But then he appeared from the kitchen, carrying a glass of water, his cheeks and forehead slightly red.

  “What were you doing?” I asked.

  “Gardening.”

  “I thought you hated gardening.”

  He made an irritated noise of agreement and walked out to the living room to sit on his favorite recliner. “I do. But someone has to get rid of those weeds—especially before it rains again. And since I haven’t been cleared for work yet…”

  “I spoke with the doctor and he said it was okay to take your time.”

  His gaze narrowed on mine. “I spoke with the doctor a few hours ago too. He said as long as I felt up to it, I could go back to work. I’m starting to think you might be influencing his decision a little.”

  I grimaced. I had told the doctor that we didn’t need to rush things. And so had Declan. But that was it.

  “Ah,” my dad said with a nod. He sipped his water. “You don’t want me to go back to work.”

  “It’s not that I don’t think you’re capable or ready, I’m just worried about you being there. In that environment. Especially if it was someone there who had something to do with your accident.”

  “Well, we might never know for sure,” he said through gritted teeth. I knew it bugged the hell out of him, just as much as it bugged me that he couldn’t remember. But he seemed to have come to terms with it. Better than I had anyway. “I can’t stay here forever. Besides, I miss my job.”

  Since it was a good opening, I pulled the papers out of my purse and passed them over. “Well then maybe this can keep you busy for a little bit.”

  Or longer. If he had a project, he’d be less likely to want to go to work and I wouldn’t worry as much about his safety.

  My father took the papers and scanned them. He mumbled to himself a few times and then pulled his glasses from his pocket and continued to look.

  I took the moment to walk into his kitchen and take out fish from the freezer. I also tossed a salad then cut up an apple.

  When I heard the creak of floorboards, I looked up and found him standing in the doorway.

  “Are you certain this is accurate?” he asked.

  “As far as we can tell.”

  His eyes dropped to the papers and then came back up to mine. “But this is… Okay, I know you’re trying not to betray a confidence, but I need to know why you're so invested in this.”

  I’d wanted Declan to tell him the truth about the effects the serum had had on him. But I knew in my heart that Declan wouldn’t mind if I said a few things. It also might help my father’s perspective.

  At my hesitation, my dad asked, “Is it because of Declan?”

  I nodded and let him ask his questions. It was easier if I was just agreeing or disagreeing than flat out telling him all of Declan’s secrets.

  “Is the serum doing something to him?”

  I swallowed and nodded again. “Yes. He’s been experiencing side effects.”

  “Serious ones?”

  I choked on a humorous laugh. “You could say that.”

  “What kind of side effects?”

  “Unusual ones. Ones you’d probably have to see for yourself to believe.”

  My father scratched his chin. “I see. And you’re involved because…? I understand you wanted to find out what had happened with me, but now that you know his secret or whatever is going on and I’m awake, there’s got to be something else.”

  “I’ve been able to spend some time with him, and he’s opened up to me about the serum and what it did to him. What it’s still doing to him. And I…”

  My dad sighed and gave me a gentle smile. “You’re in love with him.”

  Chapter 28

  My breath caught. The longer I didn’t say anything the more the silence said. My dad was right, I could feel it in my heart.

  My dad gestured to the living room. “Come on, let’s talk for a minute. And bring that apple.”

  I carried the apple with me to the living room and passed it to him before I sat on the couch.

  “It’s a strange feeling, isn’t it?” he asked me.

  “It is. I feel like I’ve felt this before, but it’s different.”

  It was cryptic, I knew, but my dad seemed to understand. “It’s different with each person, I think. I’d thought I felt love with someone before your mom. But that was just lust, maybe a tiny bit of infatuation. I mean, she was beautiful and confident and…” He shook his head. “Anyway, when I met your mom, it was similar but stronger. So strong, I thought something was wrong with me. I mean, we’re analytical people, Royal. We think with our heads most of the time instead of with our hearts. So if our hearts get involved like that, it’s strong. It almost felt like an obsession. Which confused me.”

  I nodded. I understood completely. I couldn’t seem to walk away from Declan. I couldn’t seem to think about anything else. The more I had him, the more I wanted him. The more time I spent with him the more time I wanted. It was insane.

  “So what did you do?” I asked.

  “I talked to my mom.” He gave a wry smile. “I know, but she was a poet and read all that Jane Austen stuff and she was very in touch with her own emotions. And you know what she told me?

  “What?”

  “That it was perfectly normal. And that what I was feeling wasn’t an obsession. It was love.”

  Love. Declan had already told me that he loved me. And I had no idea how he knew. He seemed goal-oriented and focused just like I was. But somehow, he’d recognize those feelings far before I had. And he was embracing them.

  I was fighting them.

  “Tell me this,” my dad said. “Is he a good man?”

  “He is.”

  “Do you trust him?”

  “I do. Completely.”

  “Then that’s all that needs to be said for now.” He stood again, setting aside the papers and the apple. “Just don't be afraid to acknowledge what’s in your heart.”

  “Who’s the poet now?” I asked, standing as well.

  He waved toward the door, dismissing my comment. “Yeah yeah, why don’t you get on out of here so I can figure out what all this means?”

  “You sure you don’t want me to stay longer? I can make you dinner or keep you company.”

  He shook his head. “I’ll figure it out. I want to look over those papers for a bit.”

  I recognized the look on his face, one I was sure Declan saw on mine frequently. One that said I had a riddle that needed to be solved.

  “All right,” I told him.

  I hugged him and stepped out the door. Another driver, Davis, was here now. He hurried up the walk to meet me and then accompanied me to the car, opening the back door for me so I could get in.

  “Ready to go?” he asked.

  “Can you give me a minute?”

  “Absolutely.” He shut the car door and stood with his arms crossed on the sidewalk.

  I hadn’t meant for him to leave completely but realized it worked for now. I wanted to hear Declan’s voice. I wanted to tell him how I felt, but if I could settle for just telling him how much I cared for him right now it was enough.

  I pressed Declan’s name on my phone, and
he answered after one short ring. “Royal,” he said immediately.

  “Hi.” It came out on a soft breath of air.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Yes. I just talked with my dad and now I’m in the car. Davis is waiting for me to tell him where to go.”

  “That was fast.”

  “I know. If you’re not ready—”

  “I am.” He paused and then his voice grew softer. “You know, even when I had to pretend your name was Stephanie, I still kept it as Royal in my phone.”

  I blinked at his change in subject, amused. “You did? Was it hard to keep saying Stephanie when he knew that wasn’t my real name?”

  “I imagine probably about as hard as it was for you to pretend to be Stephanie even though you weren’t.”

  “You know,” I told him with a smile in my voice, “even back when I was pretending, Stephanie still found her boss hot.”

  “Is that so?” His voice had taken on a gruff quality which I recognized easily now. The one that said he was thinking of me in an intimate way. And it instantly made me wet for him.

  “That’s so.” I remembered then I wanted to tell him how I felt about him, but nerves crept up again so I kept it simple for now. We’d have time. “But now that I know the real you and you know the real me, it’s better.”

  “I agree. I’ve already instructed Davis to bring you to my cabin. I’m on my way as we speak. I’ll be waiting for you.”

  “Your cabin? Like… for the night?”

  “Is that concern in your voice?”

  “No. I mean, it’s fine. I just don’t have anything with me. No other clothes or—”

  “Clothes?” he asked with a laugh. “I don’t think you’ll be needing many of those this weekend.”

  I squeezed my thighs together, grateful that Davis was waiting outside instead of in here, even if he couldn’t hear Declan’s end of the conversation.

  I could already picture us at his cabin, the first place we’d made love, in each other’s arms, naked the entire weekend. My sex started to ache, throbbing in time to my heartbeat.