Lost and Found (Twist of Fate #1)(83)

“Lucky!” I called as I wiped at my eyes and stood. I turned off the stove and hurried to Bennett’s and my room, making plans in my head as I went.

Mostly so I wouldn’t have to think what it would mean if I lost the only woman who’d ever been a real mother to me.





Chapter 38





Bennett





Kiss their asses, then come home and take mine.

I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as I re-read Xander’s text. I was going to have fun punishing him for sending me such a provocative message. It had been on the forefront of my mind for the last two hours as I’d prepared my speech. And the image of Xander lying face down on our bed, his gorgeous backside waiting for me, was all I could think about even as my father introduced me to various men and women in the room.

I still had a few minutes before I had to get up on the raised platform in front of the room and tell these people why they should help me build an organization to do good on a greater scale. The fact that it was also the key to getting me away from the man next to me for good was an added benefit. But regardless of how my pitch went, I’d find another way to make sure the kids weren’t left in the lurch. Even if it meant finding other organizations to carry the load.

Because I had no doubt my father would pull the foundation from my control as soon as he found out Xander and I were building a future together.

“Bennett, pay attention,” my father snapped. In the past, his irritation would have left me scrambling to get back on his good side, but tonight, it just pissed me the fuck off. How the hell had I spent so many years falling all over myself to be who this man wanted me to be?

“Gerald, this is my son, Bennett. Bennett, this is Gerald Mulvaney, head of—”

“Mulvaney Communications,” I interjected. “Thank you so much for coming.”

The older man nodded as he shook my hand. “Looking forward to hearing what you have in mind, Bennett,” he said. “Mulvaney Communications is always looking for ways to have a greater impact on the community.”

“Glad to hear it, Sir,” I said.

I watched as the man wandered off to talk to some of the other patrons.

“I have to commend you, Bennett.”

The remark was unexpected and I hated that, despite the fact that I was so pissed at him, a little part of me puffed up at my father’s comment. He’d only ever seen the work I’d done with the foundation in terms of how good it would make the company look. Like the foundation also doing some good in the world would somehow deflect from the fact that my father’s firm was about making already rich people richer.

“Getting all these potential clients in one room… a lot of new business to be had here, Son.”

Disbelief went through me. “Dad,” I said as I shook my head. “I didn’t bring them here to—”

“Arnold!” my father called robustly as he took off to greet the next man who walked through the door. I felt sick to my stomach and automatically reached for my phone to call Xander. If I could just hear his voice, I could keep it together long enough to cement this deal and ensure kids like Lucky had the support they needed after I left New York.

The thought of my new family waiting for me to come home was enough to ease some of the tension in my belly. I already had my phone in my hand, so I turned it over to check for any new, dirty messages my man might have sent me.

But the only messages I saw were from Aiden, along with a few missed calls. Panic went through me, but before I could call him, I heard his voice.

“Bennett!”

I looked up to see Aiden and Lucky near a side door, but there was no sign of Xander.

Why would Aiden have Lucky unless something bad had happened?

“Where is he?” I called out as I hurried towards them. “What’s wrong? Is he okay?” I asked as I grabbed Aiden’s arm.

Please, God, don’t let me lose him. Not now. Not like this.

“He’s okay,” Aiden said quickly.

I nearly buckled at the knees as a tidal wave of relief went through me. “Jesus, don’t fucking do that to me,” I griped. “Where is he?”

“It’s his aunt,” Lucky said.

“Lolly?” I asked, as anxiety curled through me. “Did something happen to her?”

“She’s been in a car accident, B. Some guy phoned Xander about an hour ago to tell him and I guess they took her right into surgery or something. Xander brought Lucky and Bear to my place before heading to the airport.”

“Fuck,” I said. “I have to go. Which airport?”

“La Guardia.”

I hadn’t gotten more than a few steps when my father called my name. I turned to see him striding towards me. His eyes settled on Aiden.

“Mr. Vale, what are you doing here?” my father bit out impatiently.

He’d always ignored my friendship with Aiden, but that was mostly because he never saw us together. He may not have approved of Aiden’s sexuality, but he sure as hell would have been happy enough to invest Aiden’s money for him.

God, I’d been such a fucking fool. Why had I ever thought this man’s opinion mattered?

“He came to give me some news… about Xander.”

“Xander? Xander Reed?”