Apollo’s mouth fell open.His eyes darted between Rocko and the house.
“That might be why Frank is so careful about having people over,” Apollo said.
“That’s exactly what I was thinking.It makes sense.She’s only three and wouldn’t know how to control her ability or to censor it when strangers are around,” Rocko agreed.“Poor Mary had to be desperate to get help for her father while hoping to hide her daughter’s ability.”
Apollo stood in silence, and both Rocko and Griffin waited.This changed everything.
CHAPTER TEN
Apollo
It’d happened.The one thing Apollo feared most.Survivors without control over their abilities, due to a lack of knowledge or youth, openly using their mutation in the world.Asher’s innocence could be their downfall.His protective instincts rushed forward, and his need to ensure the safety of this small family became his top priority.
“We’ll invite them to come over.Then we can chat about how to better protect the little girl.We must also determine who the original survivor is, because if it was the father…”
“He may not have left them willingly,” Rocko finished what Apollo was thinking.
It wasn’t the first time.The two of them always seemed to be on the same wavelength, and it was comforting to Apollo and somehow lessened his burden.
“Shit,” Griffin growled.“This is a whole can of worms.”
“It is, but we knew this would happen sooner or later,” Apollo said.“It’s our mission to protect them.We’re fortunate that the family lives way out here, where the odds of discovery are slimmer.”
“The problem will be how to broach the subject with Frank and Mary,” Rocko said.
“Yeah, without them getting pissed off and defensive,” Griffin added.
“Leave that to me,” Apollo said.“Let’s finish up and get back to the compound to prepare the others for our visitors, or Ellen will hand me my head.”
The crew spent the next few hours tidying and repairing the property, eventually finishing up and gathering back at the side of Frank’s house.
“I don’t know how to ever repay all of you for helping us yet again,” Frank said.
“Well, there might be a way,” Apollo said.
Frank glanced over at his daughter, Mary, who was holding Asher in her arms, eyes full of suspicion.
“Okay, what do you want?”Frank asked, sounding less pleased than before.
“For the three of you to come over to our place.This afternoon, we’re having a barbecue to mark how far we’ve come over the last year.Our barn is up, and our livestock has been delivered, so we would love to celebrate with our friends there as well,” Apollo explained.
Frank appeared hesitant, so Apollo doubled down.
“It would mean a lot to Renee, Ellen, and Rosaline.They’ve been working so hard and cooking for days.Even if you pop in for a drink.”
Apollo waited as Frank looked at his daughter and then his granddaughter.Obviously, he was weighing his options and considering the odds that Asher would behave long enough to visit without incident.Little did the older man know that the cat was out of the bag on that secret.
Frank took a deep breath.“Okay.We’ll stop in for a bit.”
“Wonderful.Having new friends with us for the celebration will be fitting.We’ll see you three later today,” Apollo said before shaking Frank’s outstretched hand and turning toward the truck.
They had to return and inform everyone else about the revelation that Asher had mutations and begin the steps needed to protect all three.As his mind processed what needed to be done and what was at stake, Apollo realized that while working things out, his brain wasn’t racing as it normally would, with all the “what-ifs” that normally plagued him.His need to control all variables to his detriment was under control, his mind clear, and as he glanced in the rearview mirror and caught sight of Rocko, he understood why.Rocko’s calming effect on him was in full force, connecting the two of them.
Once the team gathered around the large kitchen table they’d built from trees harvested on their land, he filled the remaining members in on what Rocko had seen.
“Holy shit,” Ace said.
Damon looked over at Xavier before saying, “Maybe they should come stay on the compound for safety.”
