“If she’s using all that money on drugs, then giving her more will only perpetuate the problem. How do I help Evan without adding to her addiction problem? I mean the poor kid has nowhere to turn.”
“Until now.”
“If he’ll even accept my help. He hates me, Breeze.”
Slanting my gaze to his, I stared into his frustrated eyes. Marni had already managed to beat Bodhi down and she’d only had her claws in him for one day.
Evan had to be saved before it was too late.
“He’s sixteen years old, living in a drug den and dreaming of being kidnapped by a guy named Eddie. Trust me, he’ll accept your help.”
* * *
Bodhi and I stepped out of the SUV in front of the most glamorous hotel I’d ever laid eyes on. I wished someone had warned me of its splendor before I’d dressed in blue jeans and cowboy booties for my walk through the lobby.
Although, who was I kidding? Tucked under Bodhi Beckett’s arm, no one would bother to spare me a second glance.
As we stepped off the elevator, wandering hand in hand toward our palatial suite, Tucker’s imposing frame came into view. Bodhi’s gaze dipped to the keycard in his father’s hand and he groaned.
“What?” I whispered.
“Nothing, it’s just… he’s not allowed to have a key to my room. I’ve been over this with him before. The man just doesn’t respect boundaries.”
Tucker eyes locked onto Bodhi with a pleading kind of intensity.
“How did it go?” he asked, as hopeful as one could be when dealing with the aftermath of a train wreck.
Bodhi flinched, and Tucker’s shoulders drooped. “That bad?”
“Worse.”
No gloating. No ‘I told you so’s’. Instead, Tucker squeezed Bodhi’s shoulder sympathetically. “I’m sorry.”
Bodhi nodded. It was an awkward exchange, but encouraging nonetheless.
Tucker plastered on a fake smile. “I think I can make your evening a little better.” And like a blackjack dealer, he flipped the keycard around with deft fingers, offering it to his son.
Bodhi blinked at the piece of plastic before settling his wary gaze on his father. “Goddammit. Have you been in my room?”
“I have but, hear me out, it was for a good cause. Don’t worry, it’s the last time I’ll let myself in your room.”
“The last time should have been the last time,” Bodhi grumbled.
Ignoring the outburst, Tucker nudged the key in in our direction. “You and Breeze have had a rough few days and I wanted to do something special for you, especially since you didn’t get that camping trip you were both hoping for. Take the key. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
Father and son stared each other down, but Bodhi was the one to finally cave, snatching the card from his father with a terse ‘thanks’.
Much to my surprise, Tucker gave me a quick side hug. “Nice to see my kid has such good taste in women. Have a great night you two.”
Without waiting for a reply, he turned on his heel and walked away.
“Well, that was weird,” Bodhi said, scratching the patch of scruff on his jaw.
“Not really. You do have great taste in women.”
“I know I do, but I wasn’t talking about that. I’m just not used to him caring what I think. I need this whole day to end.”
I grabbed the keycard from his hand. “Not before I see the surprise. What do you suppose it is?”
