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Dad locks eyes with me. I’ve been pretty quiet, and my voice sounds raspy and hurt still. I can see him trying to soften his gaze for me, but honestly, it’s making him look constipated. “I’m getting to know him. Let’s start there, okay?”
I nod, knowing it’s a beginning at least. He’s never really tried before.
“But you need to put the brakes on this, Queen of Thebula.”
“Dad—”
“You and him.Brakes.Can you do that?” Severity sharpens his gaze.
Pain flares again. “But—”
“His family is dangerous, Luna. There are nobuts. I’m handling this with Donnelly. It’s the team-up no one saw coming, especially me.” He touches his chest. “It’s Cyclops and Peepers.”
“Peepers?” I cringe at the worst X-Men villainever.He did not just refer to Donnelly asPeepers.His enlarged eyes and bald head make him look like a toad.
Like my dad is eating glass, he slowly amends, “Cyclops and whoever you choose.”
I don’t know if Donnelly reminds me of anyone but himself, but I’d never cast him as a villain.
“Peter Parker,” I say softly. I think about Peter’s tragic backstory and light-heartedness amidst adversity as he swings between buildings with a joke and a laugh. He’s also one of my favorites. “Spider-Man.”
Dad makes another cringey face. “Fine.Cyclops and Spider-Man.”
A team-up. It is a strange reality, but one that feels better than them being at odds.
Dad looks at me with more seriousness. “And in the meantime, just use some patience.” He glances over at Mom. “Does anyone in this family have any?”
Mom raises her hand. “Me.”
He smiles lovingly. “Yes, you do, love.” He swings his head back to me. “Your mom will share some patience with you.”
“Allthe patience,” Mom says to me, like we’ll get through this together. I’m not alone. It tries to swell inside me. It tries to banish cynicism and dark tides. But negative voices creep up and whisper,you have to do this alone. You shouldn’t need her aid.
“I’ll help.” Kinney begins to smile. “Let’s take down the Donnelly family.”
Dad turns to her. “This is a solo slaughtering, little Slytherin.”
She gapes. “But you just said Donnelly is helping!”
“How exactly is he helping?” Farrow questions, more ire in his stance.
“We’re working on it. If you want to join, Imightaccept your membership. We’ll see.”
Kinney looks peeved that she’s not being included.
“Might,” Dad assures her.
She rolls her eyes. “Whatever.”
Farrow runs a finger over his lip piercing. “You said you’re going to protect him, Lo. So if your fucking plan is to send him back to South Philly to speak to his father, youbetternot hang him out to dry. Or else I’ll have a problem with you.”
Dad wears another half-smile. “Spoken like a true brother.”
“I’m serious.”
“As am I.” He shifts his weight, his sarcasm replaced with real gravity. “I’m going to protect him. I promise you that.”
My teeny tiny ember of hope sparks to life again. Maybe, possibly, taking down the Donnelly family is a priority to my dad. Maybe it’s not something impossible.
