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I had the satisfaction of watching my father turn a sickly shade of white. “What are you talking about?
“I’m talking about my life— the one you’ve been manipulating from day one. I know what you did the night Xander’s dad died. His aunt told me you kicked her out of the house and had Xander’s scholarship pulled, even though I did exactly what you asked of me.”
“That boy wasn’t good for you, Bennett. And his father—”
“Don’t do it,” I warned, raising my voice. “Don’t you dare.”
I stepped forward, fists clenched, before I even realized it. Aiden appeared at my side and then quickly stepped in front of me. “B,” he said softly. “He’s not worth it.”
I nodded, because he was right. “Can you keep Lucky with you, Aiden? I need to go to the airport.”
“Yep, we’ll be fine. Go.” He handed me a small overnight bag. “I packed some of my clothes for you. They’ll be a little big, but—”
“I’ll make do,” I said as I took the bag and hugged him.
“Bennett, you walk out of this room and it’s over. Your career, the foundation,” my father warned in a low voice.
“I don’t need you in order to help others,” I snapped. “So do your worst.”
My father stepped forward until he was practically in my face and hissed, “You leave and I’ll make sure none of these people throw even a nickel in your direction. What will those charity kids of yours have then?”
“Excuse me.”
The feedback from the room’s audio system caused me to look over to the stage where Lucky stood in front of a microphone stand that was just a little too high for him. The few people in the crowd still standing slowly sat down, and I saw several of the participants looking around in confusion.
“Young man, that’s not a toy,” my father stated firmly, but the second he took a step towards the stage, I stepped in front of him.
“Stay the hell away from my kid.”
I didn’t care that I barely recognized my own voice as I spoke. All I cared about was my father staring at me like he didn’t know who I was.
Thank fucking god for that.
“Um, you all should give B… I mean Bennett… the money ‘cause he can help a lot of kids with it.” As Lucky spoke, he glanced at me. “Kids like me.”
My heart swelled with pride as I watched Lucky stand there, confidence on full display, the quiet boy he’d once been, a thing of the past. Even in the few weeks he’d come to live with Xander and me, we’d started to see a change in him. I ignored my father and stepped onto the platform, wrapping my arms around Lucky.
“Thank you, Lucky.”
“Love you, B.”
“Love you, too.” I held him for a moment longer and then ruffled his hair. I put my arm around his shoulder as I addressed the crowd.
“I’m sorry, but I need to go. There’s an emergency with my boyfriend’s family, and I need to be with him. But I’ll leave you in the very capable hands of my associate here.” I patted Lucky’s shoulder and then gave him another quick hug before whispering in his ear. “Xander and I will call you as soon as we land, okay?”
Lucky nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on Bear. And Aiden.”
I smiled and said, “I have no doubt.”
Aiden had moved up onto the platform at some point, and I exchanged a silent message with him. He nodded.
Yeah, he’d keep my kid safe. “Thank you,” I said as I embraced him. “For everything.”
He nodded against my neck. “Go take care of your man, Bennett. We’re good here.”
I stifled the emotion that threatened to consume me. “You’re one hell of a man, Aiden,” I murmured into his ear. “I hope whatever guy ends up snagging your heart sees that.” I kissed his cheek and then I was hurrying off stage. I had to pass by my father who was practically simmered with rage, but when he grabbed my arm, I shook it off and didn’t slow my pace.
Because at that point, he’d ceased to exist.
The only thing that would keep me from being at Xander’s side was goddamned Armageddon.
Chapter 39
Xander
The only thing keeping me from yelling at the people filing down the plane’s narrow aisle as they searched out their seats was the distraction I’d managed to find just outside the window. I’d spent the last ten minutes counting the various pieces of luggage as they went up the conveyor belt and were loaded into the belly of the jet parked next to ours. After I’d dropped Lucky and Bear off with Aiden, I’d been fortunate enough to catch a plane leaving La Guardia for Denver in less than two hours.
Aiden had told me several times to call Bennett, but I’d adamantly refused. It had taken a lot of begging and pleading on my part to get him to promise me he wouldn’t tell Bennett what had happened until after Bennett was done giving his speech. I knew Bennett would be pissed, but he’d understand when he had some time to think about it.
