Kai’s brow puckers. “I hate the thought of guilt-tripping him into going or emotionally blackmailing him.”
“This is emotional warfare, Anderson, and you need to use every sneaky tactic possible.”
He rubs his temples and emits a resigned sigh. “I know.”
“There is another option.” My pointed look conveys my meaning.
A light breeze wafts in the air, scenting it with a mix of floral notes I’ve grown accustomed to. Sitting out here on balmy summer nights with a glass of wine, talking over our day, has become the norm for Thena and me, and it’s something I look forward to every day. Getting to share my life with my soulmatenever gets old. It’s the normal mundane things I get a kick out of most. I never thought I’d have this, and I never let myself forget how lucky I am to have found my person, to have my son, and to just enjoy life.
“I’m not spying on my son, Drew. For fuck’s sake. That’d be a massive invasion of his privacy.” He shakes his head, and I feel for him, I do, but if he wanted to be mollycoddled, he should’ve gone elsewhere. He’s still in denial, but it might come to this, and I already know they won’t hesitate if it’s the best way to protect Oli.
“If you’re concerned for his safety, concerned he’s doing drugs, then I don’t see what the issue is. It’s your job as a parent to protect him. You have to play every angle. And it’s not like he’d ever know. We have the resources and expertise to make it happen without a trace.”
“It seems there’s no taking the elite out of some people.”
I shrug, not taking that as the insult he expects it to be. “I am who I am. I’m not saying anything I didn’t consider doing with my own son. Arlo agreed to therapy before I had to go there, but I was willing to do anything and everything. Nothing was off-limits.”
He’s quietly contemplative for a few beats. His shoulders fold in as he slumps back on the couch. “You’re right, but I want to think about it before I broach the subject with Abby. She won’t like it.”
Not at first, but Abby will fight tooth and nail to protect her son. If the time comes, she won’t have any reservations. “We can keep this between us for now.”
Kai nods. “Has Huss put a timeline on it yet?” he adds, changing the subject.
“Not an exact one. It’ll happen in two years.”
“I don’t like it.” He finishes his drink and puts the empty glass down. “I know everything is legit now, but it feels like we’re getting sucked back in again.”
I get where Kai is coming from. The Elite of old is long gone, and it’s more like a business networking collaboration or a gentlemen’s club these days. Most of the old-timers who revered the traditional ways are gone now. Either retired, sick, or dead. Their offspring mostly grew up like us, resenting the Elite and the things we were forced to do.
But there are always a few bad eggs. I know there are elements within the current Elite who want to return to the glory days, which is why Ares and the other Luminaries are so insistent on keeping the Elite board of management structure intact and keeping a close eye on proceedings.
Huss earmarked me as his replacement a long time ago, and it was made clear that the new board will be made up of me as president and my friends as senior leadership members. Charlie is the only one who isn’t pissed at the idea. Rick and Kai hate the Elite, and it’s challenging for Lauder to fly in from New York for monthly meetings as it is. He retired from racing a year ago and took over as CEO from his dad, so he’s crazy busy with little downtime.
“We don’t have a choice,” I remind him.
“I know. I wish the entire organization had burned.”
“Hey.”
We whip our heads around, and my smile is instant when I see Arlo walking toward us. “Hey, son.” I get up and hug my only child. Although we both work at Manning Motors, I rarely see him at the office, and I’ve missed having him around since he moved out three years ago to live with Vera in the Ford family home. It’s not far from here, and we all have a regular movie and pizza night once a week, but I still miss him. I think I’ll always begreedy when it comes to my son’s time because I missed out on so much of his life.
Arlo chuckles as he shucks out of my embrace. “You always hug me like it’s the last hug you’ll ever give me.”
“Nothing in this life is guaranteed. We know that better than anyone.”
Somber eyes meet mine. “True.”
I clamp a hand on his shoulders. “Love you.” I know it’s supposedly not manly to say it, but I couldn’t give a flying fuck. I tell my son as often as I can. My prick of a father must be rolling in his grave. He thought emotions made a man weak, and he seriously fucked with my head for a long time. Athena and Arlo saved me, changed me. I’m not the same man, and I’m embracing my emotional side, especially when it comes to my son. I never want him to forget how much he is loved and wanted.
“Love you too, Dad.”
My heart bursts, like always, when he calls me Dad. I’m so proud of the man my son has become and so happy to have him in my life.
Kai’s smile is tinged with sadness, and I’m guessing he’s melancholy comparing our relationship to the strained one he currently has with his eldest son. But it’ll come full circle. Oli has a good heart, and he’ll pull through whatever mess he’s in.
I tidy up the kitchen while Kai and Arlo chat on the terrace. After Kai leaves, I message my wife to tell her I’m going out for a run with Arlo and reminding her dinner will be ready at eight.
After changing into our running gear, we set off on our usual route. Sometimes Thena joins us, but she’s been incredibly busy with a new client and pulling crazy hours these past couple of months. We run in companionable silence, and I can tell Arlo is deep in his thoughts.
