and I’m sorry but we can’t say more than that,” Blake murmured with a frown that said it hurt him to keep this from his dad. But it was the only way. We couldn’t risk telling him anything about Troy Memphis. He probably already knew too much.
“Are you in trouble?” Cooper gave Blake a serious look. “Because if you are, I can help you. I’ve got money, resources. Whatever you need-”
“I just need you to take this,” Blake said, holding the vaccine out to him. “That’s it.”
Cooper looked anxious, glancing between us then his eyes settled on me.
“I can give it to you, if you like?” I offered. “My dad taught me how.”
Cooper’s throat bobbed as Blake gave him an intent look that urged him to trust me. And I really wanted him to. He was the father of a man I loved. I wanted him to know his son was with a good person, who would do anything to protect him and his family.
“I…perhaps you’ll have dinner with me first?” Cooper asked, glancing over his shoulder at the oven. “It’s been a hell of a long time since I’ve had any company for a meal and we can discuss all of this at length. Figure out your options.”
“Dad, this isn’t something you can help with,” Blake said firmly. “I’m sorry, I know this must seem insane, but I really need you to trust me. Both of us.”
Cooper rubbed a hand over his stubble, contemplating his son’s words as he examined the vial in his hand. “You show up here with no warning with the daughter of the man being blamed for this entire pandemic. I love you, but as your father it’s not in my nature to let you walk away from here without me helping you.”
“We’re okay,” Blake said. “I swear it. We know what we’re doing.”
“But I don’t,” Cooper said in exasperation. “You’re supposed to be locked down in Everlake Prep where you’re safe.”
“I am safe,” Blake said, his tone rising as he lost his patience. “I’m vaccinated. The Hades Virus can’t touch me.”
“So you want me to just take this and let you walk out of here?” Cooper asked in desperation and I could see him giving into the idea even as he struggled against accepting it.
“Cooper,” I said gently. “Your son is one of the bravest, smartest, most capable men I know. And what we’ve got to do relies on him walking away from here and you forgetting you ever saw us. No one can know about that vaccine. Not yet. But Blake risked coming here to protect you. So please…” I stepped forward, my heart in my throat. “Please let him do that.”
Cooper swallowed hard, taking a deep breath then after a moment that seemed to last an eternity, he nodded. “Okay,” he rasped. “I will, I’ll…I’ll do that for you Blake. I’ll trust you.”
“Thank you,” Blake sighed, pressing his hand to his dad’s shoulder.
Cooper handed the vaccine to me, his mouth twitching at the corner. “Don’t jab me too hard, alright? Never did like needles.” He chuckled nervously, still seeming unsure of this situation and I could see the strength it was taking for him to place his faith in us. In me. I guessed the whole world had been destroying the Rivers name for months, so I could hardly be surprised that he was suspicious of me even after Blake had sworn my dad was innocent.
I drew up the vaccine while he rolled his left sleeve back and sat down on a stool in front of a wide, grey marble island. I carefully pushed the needle into the top of his arm and slowly depressed the plunger until the liquid was all gone.
“That’s it,” I announced, taking the syringe away and tossing it into the trash while Blake placed the vial back in the fridge pack.
“That’s it?” he echoed, rubbing his arm. “I’m immune?”
“It takes a couple of weeks to kick in fully,” I said. At least that was what Saint had said and seeing as he’d spent the past weeks studying virology day and night, I had to assume he was right. “And we don’t know how effective it is, but…all evidence says it’s pretty damn good.” I thought of how I’d coughed right in Jonas’s face and he hadn’t gotten sick. If that wasn’t a test of its effectiveness, I didn’t know what was.
Cooper pulled his sleeve down and Blake hugged him, a sigh of relief leaving him. “Stay for