Page 27 of Eternal

Declan releases my jaw, but he doesn’t back up, and for the first time, I see something I didn’t think he was capable of—worry.

My chest tightens as the room slowly closes in. And Declan refuses me oxygen, standing over me and taking my breath away.

“Teal?” my father’s voice cuts through the moment, breaking us apart.

Declan steps back, and my lungs fill with air.

I always thought I could read Declan, but right now, I can’t decipher the darkness in his eyes. And when he finally breaks my stare, it’s like he snaps the trance I was lost in.

“Paul,” Declan says, reminding me of my father’s presence.

His gray hair is swept back, showing off the sheet of wrinkles on his forehead as he looks between us.

My father is the kind of man who overtakes a room with his confidence. His suit bleeds money, and his arrogance is written all over his face. But right now, I’m seeing something he rarely shows in public: a flash of irritation as his attention moves from me to Declan.

“Declan.” My father nods. “I didn’t know Ian would be here tonight.”

“He’s not.” Declan pulls me to his side, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “I’m here with my girlfriend.”

“You’re—” My father’s face blanches.

His eyes widen, and for the first time in my life, he’s stunned by something. Something he quickly buries as he slams his mouth shut and straightens his spine.

Even standing up at his full height, he’s a few inches shorter than Declan, but his rage fills the room. It reaches to the ceiling and filters out of every vent. My father processes what Declan said, and even if he’s composed, his hands ball into fists, giving him away.

“What kind of game do you and your father think you’re playing?” My dad’s eyes narrow. “You’re not dating my daughter. Ian knows—”

He cuts himself off before finishing that sentence. He doesn’t know Mom already told me about his plans for me and Jase, and with the wrench Declan has thrown in it, he won’t show his hand.

“What does he know?” Declan smirks, taunting him.

“Nothing.” My dad grinds his teeth. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but you will end this. Tealene—”

“Isn’t yours to command right now, Paul.” Declan holds me at his side. “Unless you’d like to bring this up with Sigma House.”

My father’s gaze darts between us. “Ian can’t do this.”

“My father isn’t doing anything. Ask your daughter.”

My dad steps toward us. “You expect me to believe thisjust happened?”

“I don’t care what you believe.” Declan rubs his thumb in circles on my hip, and it’s strangely comforting when nothing about this situation is. “It is what it is, and if you’re smart, you’ll respect it.”

The Pierces and Donovans have always been in a silent war with each other, but I’ve never witnessed the full brunt of it until this moment. And to my surprise, it’s not Ian facing off with my father like I always anticipated. It’s Declan.

My father turns his attention to me. “You’re not dating him.”

“Why not?” I play dumb, planting my hand on Declan’s hard stomach.

It tenses at my touch, and I really wish I didn’t notice.

“Is something wrong?” I play along.

I shouldn’t be this good at pretending to be a stupid damsel, but that’s what my father made me. He locked me away and medicated me. He conditioned me to do whatever it takes for self-preservation. And right now, that requires handing myself over to Declan.

Declan’s mouth tilts in amusement as he watches me. My father might be too arrogant and narcissistic to see through my act, but Declan isn’t.

“No, nothing’s wrong,” Declan says, brushing my cheek with the back of his knuckles.