Page 116 of Vows In Corruption

Since it’s just the two of us, I decide to broach the subject of what happened at breakfast.

“Hey, I hope that you’re not mad at me for suggesting that you go to the dance with you brother. I didn’t want to step on any toes, so I just thought that it would be better for you to take him.”

Sam gives me a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “I’m not mad. Him asking you just took me by surprise, is all. I’m glad that he asked you.”

“Are you sure? Because if you want to go, I’m completely fine with that.”

She is shaking her head before I can even finish. “Go. It would mean a lot to him. None of us got to go those things when we were his age, it would be nice for him to experience it.”

Her comment wakes up an ever present thought. I’ve always wanted to ask Bennett, but the the time never presented itself. I know he hasn’t anything from his brother since he left his kids with him, but what happened to their mom?

As much as I want to ask Sam about it now, it’s not the place and time.

For all I know their mother is a sore subject and should never be spoken about.

I take her hand in mine and give it a good squeeze. “I promise to make it the best mother and son dance ever.”

If I wasn’t looking right at her, I would have missed it, but tears start to form in eyes before she looks away. “Thank you Ella.”

I get the sense that she wants to say more, like there is something on the tip of her tongue that she is dying to say, but she is keeping it in and just smiles as she walks into the toy store.

As I stand there, I start to thinking back to what Henry said. That I’m going to be an important figure for years to come.

I keep thinking that the two year deadline with Bennett as he end, but it doesn’t have to be. I can still be a part of the kids lives in some why once all of this is over. As their ex-aunt, their friend, even a mother figure if they need it.

They may not be biologically related to me, but my life has taught me that family doesn’t have to be blood. Your parents don’t have to be related to you through biology to be your parents. The Lanes may not be my blood, but that isn’t going to stop me from treating them as if they were. Now, or even two years from now.

No matter what happens between me and Bennett.

And that’s the head space that I’m in for the remainder of our shopping trip and as we drive back to the Lane Manor.

When we get back to the house, and the kids run upstairs, Henry stops me and directs me to the study at the edge of the first floor.

“Mr. Lane would like to see you in his study,” he states his face is empty of any emotion, that worries me.

“Okay?” I say, the word coming out as a question.

Henry just gives me a nod, and leaves me to talk into the home office alone.

As I open the large wooden door, I feel like I’m walking into the principal’s office and I’m in trouble.

Did Henry tell Bennett that Drake asked me to go to he mother and son dance with him and he’s mad?

There isn’t a whole lot of possibilities as to why he would want to meet me in the study.

“Bennett?” I say as walk into the room.

My eye travel around the room as I find him standing in front of his desk, with his back to me.

“Close the door.” He orders, not turning to even look up at me.

Goose bumps form on my arms as I do what he says and stay rooted in place, not wanting to over step and close the distance between us.

“What’s going on?” I ask, after about a minute of standing in silence.

Whatever is happening here is messing with my nervous system and making my palms sweat.

Bennett turns to face me and two things grab my attention.

---