Page 82 of The Art of Deception

Henry steps forward, pulling something out of his pocket and handing it to Levi. Levi takes it hesitantly and then studies it. It’s a miniature statue of a lion.

Levi beams in excitement. “Friend, yes. Henry, come see my lion collection,” Levi gushes, grabbing Henry’s arm and dragging him away.

Tomi’s eyes widen as she goes to stop Levi, but I pull her back to me, shaking my head. “Baby, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

Her eyes narrow as I hear Levi and Henry leave the room completely, and I lock Tomi in my arms, so I know she can’t get away.

She tenses. “This is serious.”

I exhale. “I just want you to hear me out before you jump to conclusions.”

Her eyes narrow on me like she’s waiting for terrible news. “Just tell me.”

“Levi told me the kids at school are still bullying him occasionally.” She winces as she nods. “The thing is, Tomi, he’s smart, so fucking smart, and I want him to flourish, not spendtime at a school defending himself or having a sensory overload because he can’t cope.”

She wriggles a little like she’s unsure of where this is going. “Okay…”

I grab the papers and hand one to her. Her eyes scan over the brochure as she scratches her head.

“Xander, I’ve heard of this place. Levi would never get in there. It has a waiting list as long as my arm. Never mind the expense associated with it.”

I smile. “Don’t worry about the waiting list, I’ll have that sorted. They have a special needs section… for kids with issues. They have expert behaviorists and teachers to manage not only their disorders but their special abilities one on one.”

“The school forX-men?”

“I’m serious, Tomi,” I scoff. “He’ll be among children like him, and the skills he’s gifted in will be accelerated. I know this is a huge step and not something you’d ever have been able to give him, but together, we can. He won’t be bullied, and he’ll get the best care. He’ll get the best education. He’ll have the best finance training he can get. He can make something of his life, Tomi.”

Her eyes water as she reads the pamphlet. “But how would he get there? It’s over an hour’s drive there and back each day. If I go back to work at the new Hope & Faith Ink once it’s built and you’re working at Scott Enterprises, how can this work? We can’t ask Greta to drive all that distance each day. It’s too much once bubs comes along.”

I glance to the hall and toward Levi’s room, where I know Henry is located. “That’s why I brought Henry to meet Levi. To make sure they get along.”

Her eyes widen. “You’ll give up your driver for Levi?”

I nod. “I’d give up anything for Levi’s happiness. I’ll drive myself around. It’s about time I manned up. Levi needs a guide like Henry. He helped me, now he can help and guide Levi.”

“And Greta?” she asks.

“Greta will have her hands full here at home,” I suggest, placing my hands on her stomach.

She gives me the brightest smile as she leans on her toes, kissing me deeply. The paper crinkles as she wraps her arms around my neck. Her tongue molds with mine, and I know that doing this, organizing it all behind her back, was worth the agonizing wait to find out if I did the right thing—for Levi and for Tomi. All we want is for Levi to have the best of everything, and he can have that now, and he will.

Always.

We kiss passionately in the kitchen until a clearing throat alerts us that someone is with us. I slowly pull back to see Henry and Levi standing there, smiling at us.

“Don’t worry, Henry. I’m used to them doing that,” Levi utters.

Henry smirks as I grab Levi, pulling him into the family hug. He resists a little, but I hug him anyway, making Tomi laugh.

“Nice to finally meet you, Tomi. I’ve heard so much about you,” Henry gushes.

Tomi breaks apart from me, making her way over to Henry, placing out her hand to shake his. “It’s so nice to meet you properly, Henry. Thank you. Thank you for everything you’ve done and everything you’re going to do.”

He dips his head. “It always has been and always will be my pleasure, ma’am. Levi is very gifted, and I’m sure we’ll have many great and interesting car rides together.”

Levi tilts his head in confusion. “What does that mean?”

I take a deep breath. “How would you feel about going to a better school, one for children like you, one that specializes in teaching you things you’re more gifted at?”

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