For starters, WildBright only takes on organizations with strict anti-discrimination policies, and there’s a waiting list of highly qualified teams. We know the dads have been helping us behind the scenes, but it’s for the good of the community, so we allow it.
One of my most important lessons in all of this has been from True. It’s not good enough to help people who have been overlooked or ignored by the system. It’s important to change the system itself. So when a special election was held for Brantley’s open seat, I threw my hat into the ring. And because I’m famous for being famous, I won.
Truett and my dads tell me it’s because I’m a good person whom people trust, but I think we all know the score. Either way, I’m proud of my win and of the work I’m doing. A lot of itis thankless, the hours are long, and progress is slow, but I know I’m on the right path.
Just as importantly, to me at least, is verifying that Brantley was the man I knew him to be. Yes, he had addiction issues, but like all people who battle substance abuse, he was never just an addict. Though he struggled, public service had been Brant’s true calling.
Once I was given the keys to his old office, I discovered his plans to address inequities and build a community that would push the systems in the direction of the working class and those who just need a little support.
Brantley had never wanted to be a part of the fraud. I know that in my bones. The more I work with Brantley’s team in the direction of his dreams, the more certain I am that he fully intended to turn state’s evidence and continue serving the community.
Dad’s been pretty vocal about his displeasure with his boss for letting Preston’s goons kidnap my boyfriend, and we’re all supposed to somehow feel better that they supposedly were never going to kill him.
Yeah, right.
Preston was sending a message to Wimberley, Hedy explained, a reminder of the deal he and Seth Wakefield have. He’s since been warned to stay away from the Wildlings and vice versa.
That kind of warning could only ever come from Wakefield, and I still didn’t know what to make of it. A sort of equilibrium has been restored, though, and I’ll take it for however long I can get it.
Now that I understand my fathers a little better, however, I know for a fact that they are simply biding their time. Baba shared a bit more of his history, and some of what he said stayed with me for days. Someone like me would’ve never survived inthe environment he was raised in, and I am grateful he managed to escape that life.
I’m even more grateful that he’s proud of me and the choices I’ve made.
Still, a man doesn’t survive what he did to allow some rich asshole to hurt his child. And he’s not even the father Whitaker should be worried about.
Speaking of, it still weirds me out that Dad considersexperimental surgical godto be his side quest, and that the vigilante work he does with the team out in Wimberley is his purpose.
As for Truett’s work with the Wimberley team, that’s going better than expected. His social media presence exploded, and I’m told it’s my understanding of the algorithm that’s getting him there. Even better, Wimberley pays me royalty checks every time they use my algo-genius for profit. Score. I’m using it to fund WildBright’s scholarship program.
Most importantly, social media influencers have been crawling over each other to get highlighted in True’s videos. Thankfully, a lot of people use their social media fame for good, but enough use it for bad that Truett’s work is making a difference.
Better yet, he hasn’t had to kill anyone.
I, on the other hand, have sharpened my skills in that area. Basically, Dad and I are the only ones comfortable enough to work with Sy, so I run backup when Dad can’t be there for a tricky takedown.
It’s not that serious.
Truett would rather not know the details, but Dad likes to tease Baba that both of their children took after him. Maya with the medical work, and me with the steadily increasing kill count.
As for my haircut, Truett and I get distracted, and he doesn’t get to it for another hour or so, but neither of us is complaining.
Things get a little messy—I can’t help what his edging doesto me—and we decide to shower off in his apartment, which is now his office. We hold each other and let the hot water rain down, exchanging soft kisses, a reminder that the dreams I never let myself dream are becoming more of a reality every day.
TRUETT
“Truett! Come on over, son!”
Rami’s grandparents, whom everyone calls Mama and Papa Bash, love me. If I thought Omar and Anders were ridiculously in love with each other, that has nothing on the Grandparents Bash.
This family has somehow figured out how to fall even more deeply in love with each other as they age. I never thought it was possible, but now that I’m a part of this family, I can’t wait to fall more deeply in love with the man who has my entire heart.
I also learned the hard way that it is good to be circumspect when approaching the elder Bashes’ home, even if they’re expecting you. I don’t think I’ll ever be the same after discovering that Papa Bash is a loud advocate of pegging.
Such is life.
With the help of their sons, the Bashes have been running the small winery on this estate for over two decades now, and the wine they produce is some of the best I’ve ever had. I’m told Papa Bash’s first few attempts at wine making were a little cringeworthy, but he’s clearly figured it out.
Today, we’re here to help with the terracing, which is apparently a thing that needs constant upkeep. Also, Hopper told me to watch out for rattlesnakes, which I’ve decided is just another way for the dad generation to fuck with me.
