“Okay. Promise.” That light in his eyes.
Damian smoothed his palm down his cheek. “I miss you already.”
“I know. Me too.” He kissed him and left, trying to hide how moved he was, his heart racing in his chest.
Damian picked the phone up when it rang. He turned to Armando. “Let’s go. The car is here.”
Armando darted off, racing down the corridor to the elevator. His eyes wide on that huge black limo. The door held open. He climbed in, his eyes roaming all that space. Damian served him a glass of juice and let him eat some chocolate. Watching the streets roll past, watching the boy play on the carpet, roll around the whole interior of that huge car.
Snaking through a horde of journalists to the front of the main building, the golden letters carved down until ‘Land’. His name in a heap on the ground as workers chipped them off. The new letters wrapped on the ground, a W showing under that semi-transparent tarp. His lips curled up, a bit bitter, but he was determined to end it. Scooping Armando up as he stepped out, closing his eyes to the flashes, the shouting. Feeling those thin arms squeeze around his neck. He smoothed his palm on that thin back, soothing, and followed the security guards’ large back as they pushed through.
Breathing a bit in that huge lobby, the smiles around them. He made his way to the elevator, letting a guard escort him up. That whole ride silent as the cabin ate the floors. Last one. To his old office, that breath-taking view of the city stretching to the horizon. Armando’s eyes wide, but he stayed silent, clinging to his neck. Breathing like a small sparrow, his sharp ribs rising against Damian’s muscles.
Damian faced Harold’s puzzled face, the board members in the back, and Harry standing next to that open contract on that polished table, his eyes in tears. A couple of photographers with their press badges.
He turned to Harold at his voice. “The kid?”
Damian’s lips pursed. “As if you don’t know.” Facing him off.
It dawned on Harold then, staring in disbelief. “What? You found him…”
“Yes. Despite your best efforts, being the great friend that you are.”
“Maddie needed help…”
“And she called you. Why am I not surprised? Always eager to help get rid of a problem.”
“He might not be yours. Whores like her lie all the time.”
Damian’s steel eyes darkened, his voice still soft. “She was not a whore.”
“Right…” Harold scoffed, but his voice died in those steel eyes. “Anyway, try to keep him out of the frame when we sign. This is going into the papers, and then we need to answer a couple of questions downstairs.”
Damian looked at Armando. “You need to stay with that lady there? Stacy.” He gestured her close. “Stacy, meet Armando.”
She smiled at him. “Hi. Pleased to meet you.” She had a large, genuine smile on that young face, and Armando smiled back, shy.
Damian smiled at him. “Stacy is going to take care of you while I do important stuff.”
“What stuff?”
“Just adult stuff. Boring. But Stacy has toys right there.” Pointing to the play corner they had for clients’ kids. He handed Armando to her. “Go and play. I’ll get you soon.”
He didn’t need convincing, and she left with him, chatting.
Damian walked to Harry. “All fine?”
“Yes. That’s the same I emailed you earlier. You have the money?”
“Yes.”
“Listen… I wanted to tell you that… that you can still hire me, okay? In private. I won’t let you down.”
Damian clasped his shoulder. “I know… and I might have something… but we can talk about it later. The vultures are waiting.” He grinned, waiting for Harold to walk to him.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
