He pushed the pan to the back burner and got out another. I watched him as he took the eggs from me and began remaking what I had fucked up.
"Is your wrist okay?" I didn't like the awkward silence that had stretched between us.
"A heads up would have been nice," he whispered out of the side of his mouth. "I almost slashed his face. Holy shit, Wrenny C. That's your father... and your father is..."
"Apollo."
I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sound of my dad's voice coming from right behind us. He was leaning against the opposite counter with his arms crossed over his chest, watching us.
Zayn cringed and handed me the spatula before turning with a grin on his face. "Sir. Sorry about that. I was protecting Wrenny, and she didn't tell us you were coming to visit."
They shook hands, and I tried to stay focused on moving the eggs around. My dad let go of his hand and gave him a stern look. "You killed two humans."
Zayn tensed. "I did. They hurt my sister and Wren. I couldn't let them get away with that. What should I have done instead?"
The eggs were scrambled, and I turned off the burner, happy they didn't burn, and that for now, Zayn wasn't getting the shit beaten out of him.
"There are rules for a reason, son." My dad brought his hand to his chin in a considering gesture. "Let's make a deal."
I groaned and went to the refrigerator to get out the pre-cut fruit I'd spotted. "No deals."
"What kind of deal?" Zayn had no clue what he was getting himself into, and I hadn't told him enough about how crazy my father was. He was so old that he found great pleasure in outlandish games.
"You protect my daughter at all costs, even if that cost is your own life, and I'll make sure you don't go to prison." Apollo had his hand back out again, this time glowing faintly.
"Deal." Before I could protest, Zayn shook his hand and gasped as their palms connected.
I nearly dropped the container I was holding. "Zayn... what have you done?" I didn't want him to throw himself into the line of fire for me.
"What any of us would do for you anyway. It's a sweet deal for me." He let my father's hand go and went to one of the cabinets to get plates. "You should go wake up Sully and King. They were practically cuddling when I left them."
"We were not," Kingston grumbled, trudging into the kitchen and stopping short when he saw my father.
"Kingston, this is my dad." I bit my lip as they shook hands. "He's staying for breakfast, if you don't mind."
"I don't." Kingston flicked on his coffee maker and looked over his shoulder, raising a questioning eyebrow at me.
"I'll go wake up Sully." Zayn skipped off down the hall like nothing was different and he hadn't agreed to die for me.
"Yeah, so... um. I made breakfast. Help yourselves." I gestured to the food on the stove and the fruit. "I hope it's good."
"I'm sure it is." Kingston gave me a quick kiss before grabbing a plate, not even fazed that my dad was scrutinizing his every move.
Sullivan and Zayn joined us, and after introductions, we all sat awkwardly around the dining room table, eating in silence. Or at least it felt awkward for me. No one was complaining about my food, which was a small victory, and Apollo hadn't killed any of them... yet.
My dad finished before everyone and put his forkdown on his empty plate, wiping his lips with his napkin. "Now, who's the one that faced a dragon and lived to tell the tale?"
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Sullivan
My fingers tightened around my fork, and I stared across the table at Wren, who avoided my stare. Talking about the dragon cave was the last thing I wanted to talk about with anyone, let alone Wren's father, who happened to also be a motherfucking Greek god.
"A dragon?" Zayn looked around the table, his eyes landing on me and then widening. "Is that what your scars are from?"
Dropping my fork with a clang, I pushed back and stood. "Excuse me."
Before anyone could ask more questions, I walked toward the guest room, my back and the scars on full display. I cringed, knowing they were probably all staring at the marks that were a constant reminder of how much I'd cost my brother.
