Much to his surprise, Sando took that cliché remark seriously. “You raise a good point. Statistically, the odds are in my favor.”
God, he was a riot. Lucan pressed his lips together to keep himself from laughing too much. He didn’t want to embarrass Sando.
“Just focus on the gas and brake, and I’ll help you steer for now, okay?”
Sando nodded.
“Okay. Foot on the brake, and I’ll put the truck in Drive. As soon as you release the break, it’ll start moving slowly. Just wait for a bit to feel how that goes.”
Sando did as he asked, and when the truck started moving, he let out a little squeal. “It’s moving! Is it supposed to? Yes, you said that would happen. Okay. I can do this. It can’t be that hard if everyone can do it, even alphas with the IQ of a goldfish.”
Lucan snickered. “Exactly.”
Sando looked sideways. “Sorry? That wasn’t very complimentary.”
“Eyes on the road!” Lucan said and swiveled his head back. “Don’t ever take your eyes off the road, especially in the beginning.”
“Right, right. Makes sense. Sorry.”
“No worries. Press the gas pedal in a little.”
Sando was extremely careful, but he still yelped when the car sped up, then abruptly hit the brakes, bringing them to a sudden standstill. “Did I do that?”
“Yes. That’s the function of the brake pedal. It brings the car to a full stop.”
“Now I can look sideways, right?”
“Yes.”
Sando’s eyes were laughing as he turned his head. “You’re mocking me. That remark about the brake pedal. You were teasing me.”
Lucan grinned. “Only a little.” A thought occurred to him, and his smile disappeared. “You don’t mind me teasing you, do you? Because I can totally stop if you do. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”
Sando immediately shook his head. “No, don’t stop. I… I like it. No one has ever teased me. It makes me feel…normal.”
Lucan’s heart filled with warmth for the omega. “Then I’ll keep doing it. Now, let’s keep driving.”
“The gas pedal was the one on the left, correct?” Sando asked, and it took a second or two for Lucan to realize he was teasing him right back.
He laughed. “You were right when you said you were a fast learner. You’re getting the hang of this friendship thing.”
3
“Lucan, do you think you could help me with something?” Sando asked.
“Sure.” Lucan put down the file he’d just finished entering into the brand-new computer his father had provided for Sando. Typing in all that information was tedious work, but he loved spending large parts of his day in the same room as Sando.
“You always say yes before you even know what I’m gonna ask you.”
“So far, my faith in you has been justified, hasn’t it? I mean, you haven’t yet asked me to do anything illegal, so there’s that.”
Sando giggled, a sound Lucan loved. The omega often looked so serious, which made sense, considering his father was still missing and the nature of his research, but Lucan wanted to see him relax more, enjoy himself.
“It’s not illegal, I promise. Just…” Sando sighed, growing serious again. “Palani gave me the contact information for the family he spoke to. You know, the McCains? They’ve agreed to talk to me.”
Lucan studied him for a second or two. He had a pretty good idea what Sando was silently asking him. “Would you like me to come with you?”
“Would you? I’m not good in social situations, and knowing how much they’ve been through already, I don’t wanna add to their pain by saying the wrong thing.”
Lucan shook his head. “You’re underestimating yourself, Sando. You’re not half as clumsy in social situations as you think you are, and you’re way too kind to hurt them. Anyone who meets you can see your soft heart.”
Sando bit his lip. “Maybe, but will you come anyway?”
“Of course.”
Relief flooded Sando’s face. “I’ll call them and ask when we can stop by.”
It turned out, the McCains weren’t busy, and a few hours later, Lucan drove Sando to the city. Sando wasn’t ready yet to drive himself as he only had four lessons so far. Isam had joined them but had indicated he’d rather not take the wheel so he could focus on their surroundings. By now, Lucan figured the threat on his life was gone, but he appreciated Bray always being careful and sending one of his men with him.
The McCains lived in a simple townhouse on a busy street, but the garden looked pristine, and the outside of the house showed the owners were taking good care of it. Before they could even ring the bell, the front door opened. A tired-looking woman in a blue dress stood in the doorway. “You must be the researchers for the gene.”
Lucan pointed at Sando. “This is Sando Melloni, Professor Melloni’s son. He’s the one who’s doing the research. My name is Lucan Whitefield, but I’m just here to assist him.”
The woman’s eyes widened slightly. Then she caught herself. “I’m Abby McCain. Thank you for your work in researching the gene, Mr. Melloni. What you and your father have discovered so far will change lives.”
“Thank you, but please call me Sando,” Sando said easily.
“Come on in.” Abby stepped aside to let them pass. Isam signaled he’d be waiting outside, and Lucan nodded he understood.
She led them into the living room, where two women and two young men were sitting, their conversation stopping as soon as they walked in. A sweet aroma hung in the air, something Lucan couldn’t identify, but it smelled amazing.
“These are my sisters, Gillian and Rosalind,” she introduced the two women. The resemblance was undeniable, but they also shared that same look of grief, of being tired and hurting. Lucan’s heart ached for them. Lucan followed protocol and only dipped his head to greet them, not knowing if they’d appreciate shaking hands with him. Sando did the same, even though as an omega, he could shake their hands.
“And these are my sons, Matthew and Michael. Rosalind’s son, Frederic, has told us he can’t talk to you. He’s…” Abby swallowed, looking at her sister for help.
“Frederic hasn’t been himself since Lance died,” Rosalind said, her voice thick with emotions. “They were very close, and his death hit him hard.”
“We’re so very sorry for your loss,” Lucan said softly. “We realize that conversations like this must be hard and exhausting for you, and we appreciate your willingness to meet with us.”
Abby sent him a brave smile. “We told Mr. Hightower we want to do whatever is in our power to prevent other mothers from experiencing what we went through with losing our sons.”
“The information you give today will help save lives,” Sando said, and the room focused on him. “Every day we’re discovering more about the gene, and I’m confident that we’ll ultimately find a cure for the symptoms that have caused so much pain and trauma.”
They all sat down, and Lucan nodded at Sando that he should take the lead. Sando took a deep breath. “Which one of you was the first to come into contact with Dr. Baig?”