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Farrow is unblinking, stunned silent.
“I would’ve liked to know,” my dad says strongly. “It would’ve mattered. And I don’t know why it is, but the bonds we make matter to other people. I know that Ryke and Rose’s friendship matters to me. Connor and Daisy matter to me. Willow and Daisy matter. Garrison and Lily matter. Just like you and Donnelly are going to matter to me. Hell, you both may even annoy me.” He grimaces but stares deeper into Farrow. “But these relationships mean something to the people who love you. And I love you like a son, and I’m…I’m sorry I didn’t take your word beforehand. I’m sorry I’m an ass. I’ve been an ass. You deserved a father-in-law who listened, and I didn’t. But I promise, I’m going to try from now on.”
Mom smiles a soft, proud smile over at Dad, but like me, she’s on pins and needles looking back at Farrow.
His eyes are bloodshot, and his nose flares from emotion. “I’m going to hate knowing that’s all it would’ve taken for you to believe me earlier, because I would’ve done anything, Lo. I would’ve done anything for him.” His Adam’s apple bobs against his neck tattoos, and he scrapes another hand through his hair. “There is something that I thought would’ve made a difference—but it was never that.”
“Yeah?” my dad frowns.
“Yeah.” Farrow takes a beat. “I’ve been wishing I could give you the slam-dunk: the reason you’d actually feel like shit for ever hating Donnelly, but I couldn’t. Because I love that motherfucker, and when he tells me not to say shit to you, I don’t say shit to you, but you need to ask him. At some point. You need him to tell you everything he’s done.”
I assume this has to do with the adoption and Ripley. All my penthouse roommates know Scottie only let Farrow and Maximoff adopt Ripley after a deal that Donnelly made. He’s been giving Scottie his paycheck, and as far as I know, my dad has no clue Donnelly has been broke for Moffy’s son.
“I’ll ask him,” he says.
I take a small step forward. “You don’t hate Donnelly anymore?”
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 no buts. 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 villain ever. He did not just refer to Donnelly as Peepers. 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.”
“All the 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, I might accept 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, you better not hang him out to dry. Or else I’ll have a problem with you.”
