“Why, Wolfie, was that a joke? I’m so proud. I must be rubbing off on you.”
“You will be as soon as we get home.”
“Brains, beauty,anda dirty mind?” Spencer kissed him again. “I knew I hit the jackpot.”
The car turned on Wolf’s street. They were spending the night at Spencer’s, so they were only stopping by his place to pick up some files he needed to work on the next day. The car slid to a stop, and he and Spencer left it waiting for them, walking out hand in hand, when bright lights hit his eyes, blinding him momentarily, and microphones were shoved in his face.
“Mr. Lupo, when did you find out your father died? Did you visit him often in prison?”
“How often did you see your father?”
“Mr. Lupo, how does it feel knowing your father is dead?”
“Why did you change your name to Garrett Wolf? Does your law firm know?”
“Get those things out of our faces,” Spencer yelled. “Leave him alone.”
Wolf began to shake, and Spencer half led, half dragged him back to the car and threw him inside. “We’re going to my place and staying there.” The car took off, but Wolf remained frozen.
The world had come crashing down on him. It would all come out now, and everyone would know he was the son of a monster.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Wolf, come on. It’ll be all right.” He held on to Wolf, hating how stiff he’d become, when only moments earlier they were kissing and Spencer had been ready to suggest a quickie upstairs. “Those bastards. How the hell did they find out?”
“I’m sorry you have to be involved.” Devastation filled Wolf’s eyes and he struggled out of Spencer’s arms. “I can’t be the cause of you losing everything you’ve worked for and wanted your whole life. It’s going to happen.”
Spencer glared at him. “Stop being an idiot.”
“I’m not. You’re being naïve.” Wolf’s hard jaw tensed. “Your whole career is based on image, on appearances. How many times have you said you have to look good and smile, no matter how you feel inside? If Christo is unhappy because your father is in prison, how will he feel when he discovers your partner’s father was one of the most infamous child sex…” He faltered. “I can’t even say it.”
“I know. And I’m glad he’s dead—I’d gladly kill him for everything he’s put you through. But you aren’t your father. I wish you’d realize that. And if Christo wants to fire me, I’ll find someone who wants me. I didn’t think I’d need to say it, but if it comes down to my job or you, there’s no choice at all. Being with you wins every single time.”
The car reached his apartment building, and hands clasped, they walked to the front.
“Mr. Wolf. Can I talk to you?” A man came running up to them, and Wolf yanked his hand away and stepped away. Spencer held his ground.
“Did you follow us? What do you want? How did you find out, anyway?”
“I’m a reporter with New York One. Someone from inside the prison gave us your name as the next of kin who picked up his ashes. We’d like a statement about the death of Victor Lupo.”
“I’ll give you one.” Spencer opened his mouth, but Wolf put a hand on his shoulder.
“Spence. It’s okay.” Stone-cold, he faced the reporter. “What do you want? A nice juicy sound bite? Here’s one. I’m glad he’s dead. He was a criminal and deserved to be in prison.” He whirled and walked away toward the front door.
Spencer glared at the reporter. “Happy now? Leave the family in peace. It’s enough they had to deal with the trauma while he was alive. Let it go.”
“Who’re you, his keeper?”
“No, I’m his partner. And you have no idea how hard he’s worked to move beyond the damage caused by his father. So why don’t you stop digging up the past and looking for the scandal, and think instead about the people left behind?”
“Thank you, that was excellent.” Writing furiously, the reporter nodded, and Spencer saw the red light glowing and realized the camera was rolling.
“You’re not going to use that, are you?”
“We already did. It’s a live feed. But don’t worry, you came off great.”
Disgusted, Spencer left and hurried inside the building, where Wolf waited in the lobby.
