Page 60 of Crush (Deadly Hearts 1)

He averts his gaze, which surprises me, and says nothing.

I sigh and ignore the situation because I can’t really be bothered to chase up the cause of this fight if neither one is willing to share.

“I’m heading into work,” I announce.

Dad stands up quickly, shoving the chair back so hard, it topples over. “Not a chance,” he growls.

“Stand down,” I say calmly, not rising to this again now that I’ve had some sleep and my leg isn’t feeling quite so sore. “If I don’t, I might as well just hand my business over to Jake or Scott or Maverick, or anyone who wants it.” I turn to Declan; his blue eyes are full of something akin to worry but that can’t be right. I narrow mine at him. “You coming?”

“Yes,” he says instantly.

“Ruby, wait,” Dad says. “We need to talk.”

“So do we,” Declan says hurriedly.

I give them both an annoyed glare. “Dad. No offense, but go home. I love that you came here to try and help, but seriously, there is nothing you can do. Declan, be ready to drive me into the city in about half an hour.”

“Ruby,” Dad says, a warning in his voice, but I hold my hand up.

“Big girl, Rex,” I say, using his name to drive home that I’m an adult now and can take care of myself. “Go back to Mom and tell her I’m okay.” I frown. “Actually, what did you tell her?”

He grimaces. “I told her I was going on a business trip,” he admits sheepishly.

I stifle the urge to berate him. I also suppress the shiver that threatens to creep down my spine. Business trip to kill. I cannot believe my dad has kept this secret all these years. I see why he did, but still, if he knew what I was into, why didn’t he tell me sooner? I wish he had.

“Are you going to tell her about me?” I ask quietly.

“Not my secret to tell, Ruby, that’s on you.”

That’s a dad’s guilt trip if I ever heard one.

He comes over to give me a hug and whispers in my ear. “You need to speak to Scarlet, ask her about last summer.”

I rear back sharply. “What do you mean?”

“Just ask her,” he says, and then gives Declan a hard look.

I look between the two men, confusion clouding my ability to think straight. “Okay,” I mutter, wondering what the fuck he is talking about.

“If anything happens to her, I’m holding you personally responsible,” Dad snarls at Declan, no love lost there, it seems.

“I will protect her with my life,” Declan growls back.

“Ugh,” I mutter and exit the kitchen, eager to get away from the testosterone flying around. I pull my phone out of my pocket and call my sister. She lives in Liverpool, so not far from me, but we are both so busy we hardly get to see each other anymore. I get her voicemail. “Scar? Rex said I need to ask you about last summer. Give me a call, sister.” I hang up and head back into my bedroom to get dressed in something so sexy, Declan will lose his shit. I have decided that we need to redefine our relationship. I still want him to be my Daddy and I need everything he gives me in that area, but even though there is a lot of crap we need to sort out, there is something so unbelievably attractive about him and his darkness that I want – no need – to explore it on a more personal level. I’m drawn to him in ways that make my pussy wet and my heart speed up at the thought. I won’t lie that what he does for a living is a big part of that.

Am I fucked up or what?

---