"So, what is her thing?" Will asked.
"Her reputation."
"I think that explains it then."
Wilson glanced at his son. "Explains what?"
Will grinned as he wiggled his eyebrows. "Gay is in, man. Didn't you know that?"
"Huh?"
"Even if she doesn't agree with you being gay, in this political climate, going against it looks bad. Distancing yourself from your gay child looks even worse. If her reputation is as important to her as you say it is, she has to put on this little show so that when she does walk away, she can do it with you looking like the villain, not her."
Wilson hated how much that made sense.
He shook his head as he dropped the curtain. "What a bitch."
"Dad!"
Wilson sucked in a breath. "That's the first time you've called me that."
"Yeah, well." Will glanced away for a moment, swallowed hard, then glanced back. "You are my dad, and it looks like you plan on sticking around, so…"
"I am sticking around, Will. Jayden and I purchased that horse ranch east of the Blaecleah place, I've informed my people that I will not be seeking reelection, and Lex is getting my house packed up and shipped here."
"Does that mean you're going to go play ball with me in the park?"
"Well, I could, but to be honest, I'm a terrible ballplayer."
Will chuckled. "Me, too."
"But I was thinking I could help you out with that whole underground thing you've got going on with Hector. I'd like to set up a trust and then get some of the contacts I've made over the years make some donations, discreetly, of course."
"A trust?"
Wilson nodded. "I was thinking maybe that community committee Happy set up could administer it as a non-profit organization helping abused women."
"Oh, but—"
Wilson held up a hand. "I know what you do has to stay secret, so to the public, it would simply be an organization who helped abused women find shelter, get medical and mental help, education assistance, and to get set up in new lives away from their abusers. It would all be out in the public eye, with shelters and such. Only those on the committee would know where the bulk of the money is going."
"I'll need to talk to Hector about this but thank you for believing in our dream."
"You're a good man, Will, and your mother would be very proud of you. I know I am." The proudest moment so far had been when he'd introduced Jayden to his son. The two men seemed to hit it off right away, which had been a big worry for Wilson. He wanted both men in his life.
Will sniffled just as the door opened and Hector stepped into the room. The man's eyebrows instantly snapped together as he walked over to Will and drew the smaller man into his arms.
"What's wrong, tesoro? Why are you upset?" He shot Wilson a dark look that promised retribution if he'd harmed Will.
Wilson was really glad his son had someone so fierce looking after him, but he prayed he never got on Hector's bad side.
"Nothing's wrong." Will melted into Hector. "My dad was just telling me he was proud of me."
"Oh." Hector looked a little less hostile. "Well, he should be proud of you. You're a treasure."
Will's face lit up as he laughed. "You're biased. You have to say that."
Hector snorted. "I don't have to do anything I don't want to do."
