Kai blinked, not quite sure what he was talking about. Then it struck him and he smiled. “April? Really?” Kai glanced down at the adventurer-wannabe, the tranquilizer gun still taking up a permanent residence on his hip, and tried to see him and April on a date together.
Louis’s face was still serious as they walked down the quiet hall. “Yeah, and I know that’s sort of an off limits thing, dating a friend’s ex, especially since we’re pretty tight and all, so I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t infringing on another Alpha male’s territory.”
Kai smiled at the reference and looked away. He hadn’t realized that Louis thought so much of their relationship. It warmed him a little, then it kind of saddened him. He’d soon be leaving Indiana Junior behind. Louis took his silence for rumination, and continued in all seriousness with, “I don’t want to mess us up or anything. Guys have to stick together, and you mean more to be than a nice ass.”
Kai laughed softly and shook his head. Louis bunched his brows together and raised an eyebrow. “Does she have a nice ass?” he whispered, leaning into Kai.
Kai laughed harder and clapped him on the back. Thinking back over some of the jeans he’d seen April wear, he shook his head again. “Oh yeah.” Kai patted him again before dropping his hand. “I don’t care if you date her, Louis.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Truly, it doesn’t bother me.”
They slowed as they approached Mason’s office. Louis excitedly grabbed Kai’s shoulders and hopped up and down, like Kai had just told him that they were going to Disneyland. Kai hoped he could pull his enthusiasm back a notch or two for April. Although, she probably wouldn’t mind the attention. Putting his hands on the man’s shoulders to calm him down, he looked him squarely in the eye. “If she says yes…” Louis scoffed at that, like her saying no wasn’t even a true possibility. Kai bit back a smile at the man’s confidence. “If she says yes, take her to that nice place you mentioned, order that snail thing, and Louis…”
Louis raised his shoulders under Kai’s hands and shook his head. “What?”
Kai dropped his hands and smacked his shoulder. “She’s a friend of mine, treat her like a lady.”
Louis scoffed at him and straightened his stance, one hand going down to rest on the gun at his hip. “I am the epitome of a gentleman on a date, Kai.” He raised an eyebrow at him and leaned in. “Why do you think I’m so successful at the mating ritual?” Kai grinned as Louis patted his back and started walking away. “Don’t wish me luck, ‘cuz I won’t need it!” He called over his shoulder.
Standing in front of Mason’s door, Kai watched the odd man walk down the hall. Definitely an eclectic group of scientists they had here. Laughing at Louis scratching an itch in the shaggy head of hair that probably hadn’t seen a speck of shampoo in quite some time, Kai tossed out, “Oh, you might want to shower too!”
Not turning to look back at him, Louis raised a finger in the air. “The female species loves the scent of machismo, Harper. Remember that, the next time you snag a date with a hottie.” Twisting to finally look at Kai, he smirked as he paused at the corner of the hall. “Then maybe she won’t dump your sorry ass.” Winking, he added, “Hey, if you get lonely, you could always hook up with Missy again.”
Then he darted around the corner and disappeared. Kai laughed softly to himself. He’d actually miss Louis, and his odd, sometimes correct advice. Shaking his head, he thought of Louis and April together and wished the man luck regardless. Kai knew April, and whatever Louis may believe, with that girl, he was going to need all the luck he could get.
His momentary light hearted feelings falling back to the reality Kai was faced with this morning, he twisted back to Mason’s door. Once he opened it, he’d be starting the process of leaving Jessie. He was horrified and anxious to get that ball rolling. Closing his eyes and exhaling slowly, he knocked on the door.
Almost immediately, a worn voice replied with, “Enter.”
**********************
Mason was staring at the papers on his desk, not seeing a word on any page. He had journals of notes open, each bursting with fascinating, meticulously detailed facts and statistics on his most favorite winged subject. Some of the things he’d discovered could be vital in determining the reason behind the strange die off that was happening among hives worldwide. Somewhere in his mounds of research, could be the key to preserving this tiny, seemingly unimportant creature. But all of life was connected, and the decline of this one small species, could perhaps spell out the demise for us all. That was how important his life’s work was. But at the moment, as he stared through the mounds of data piled in front of him…none of it mattered.
None of it mattered, because of his son. A son that, less than a year ago, he hadn’t even been aware was his. A son who he could not deny parentage too…not after seeing those carbon-copy eyes. And as he’d grown close to Kai over the past few weeks, working long days with him as he played the role of eager assistant, ready and willing to do any task that Mason required of him, Mason had begun to develop a certain…fondness for the boy.
Being burdened by Nathan and Leilani with the task of informing the child that he was his biological father, Mason hadn’t been able to show much in the way of warmth to Kai, but he had definitely grown to look forward to the time they got to share together. At first, he had merely appreciated Kai’s eagerness to learn and respect for the work. Kai shared many of the same life views that Mason did, and while he still hadn’t felt comfortable enough to engage in long conversations with the young man, he’d overheard him talking to colleagues and was quite impressed.
If Kai were just a normal employee, he would be convincing the man to join with him in his important research. He would convince him to be his partner, perhaps publishing their findings together; he respected Kai’s intelligence and insight that much.
But Kai wasn’t just a talented employee. Kai was his illegitimate son, born out of a reckless affair that had permanently driven a wedge between three close friends and colleagues. Mason could scarcely look at Kai without being reminded of that fact. Just seeing his face brought back startlingly clear memories of the woman Mason had loved dearly for a time, possibly even still loved. And when Kai smiled, that ache was scoured open so harshly, that Mason almost always had to walk away from him.
Mason was sure that Kai didn’t understand his seeming coldness to him, and he just couldn’t tell him the real reason yet. How could he break the boy’s heart? How did he tell him, that the man he’d loved and respected all his life, was in no way related to him? For the millionth time, Mason wondered how Leilani could have asked this of him.
She’d had even called him a couple of times since Kai’s arrival. As always, just the sound of her voice had him agreeing to things that his rational mind would never normally agree to. She always stressed that Nathan was growing impatient, that he would tell Kai soon, if Mason didn’t. Mason always told her that it should be that way, that he should be hearing this hard news from the people he knew as family. But then Leilani would cry, telling him that she couldn’t do it…and that Nathan would not paint her in the best light if he did.
Mason sighed at hearing that. He knew that they still managed a cordial relationship in the work place, but outside of it was clearly a different story. They put on a friendly front for Kai, but Mason knew that Nathan had stopped loving Leilani the moment he’d found out Kai wasn’t his. That had been Nathan’s breaking point with her. Mason knew that…because Nathan had called him recently too.
He’d confirmed much of what Leilani feared, that he would be as straight with his son as he had to be, even if that meant bursting the vision Kai had of his mother. Nathan had told Mason that only he could really tell Kai about what had happened between Mason and Kai’s mother, so the revelation would be softer, coming from him.
From his tone, Mason had understood that Nathan was in no way trying to be malicious or spiteful, as Leilani had feared, he was just…Nathan. He believed in the truth and in speaking
it as plainly as possible. It made him excellent in his career, but for matters of the heart, that could maybe use a bit more…finesse, it came out a little harshly. Nathan had ended that phone call in much the same way that Leilani had said he would. Mainly, telling Mason to do it soon…or he would. Surprising himself, Mason had asked for a few more weeks…until the end of the year.
But still, Mason balked. There was no course in how to tell someone you were their true parent. There was no lecture he could sit in on to learn the precise way to break the news. He had no idea how or when to bring it up with Kai. And he’d tried. He’d almost done it not too long ago, when Kai had seemed so tired and distracted that Mason had been positive he knew something. He’d subtly brought it up to Kai, sussing him out by asking him if he was happy working here. Kai had replied that he was, that his mood more reflected a personal matter, and that he’d do better to not let it interfere.
By the professional look in his inherited eyes when he’d said it, Mason was sure he didn’t suspect the truth about them. He wasn’t exactly sure what Kai’s personal problem was, but it hadn’t seemed to be about Mason. He’d almost asked more. He’d almost asked Kai to open up to him…like an actual father might. But then his unease about the whole situation had closed off his throat, and he’d quickly walked away.
He may be the boy’s father, but he wasn’t the boy’s dad. He couldn’t just start acting like he was.
Sighing at all the work that wasn’t getting done, thanks to the internal war in his stomach, he heard laughter outside his door. It was followed by muffled words, words that sounded like they’d come from Kai. A pause followed that and Mason stiffened, hoping that Kai would continue on his way, and not want to come into his office while Mason was busy brooding about the problem that was him. But luck was apparently not with Mason today, and a light knock had sounded a few seconds later.
He sighed again. Kai did want to speak with him. Preparing himself to see his son again, he wearily said, “Enter.”
Kai stepped into the room, softly closing the door behind him. Mason couldn’t help but note that the boy seemed different, resolved, yet somehow torn too. Mason steepled his fingers over his desk, wondering if this was the moment. Should Mason tell him? But just the thought… Kai would surely be angry and flee back to Hawaii. Mason would lose him, as an employee…and as a son. He’d probably never see him again. It wasn’t that he loved the boy, he didn’t. Thanks to Leilani, Kai was practically a stranger to him, but he certainly respected him, respected his work ethic, his bright inquisitiveness, his enthusiasm for life. Mason was developing a warm spot for Kai and, surprisingly, he didn’t want that to end…just yet.
Not wanting to give away any of his twisting thoughts, he remained silent as he watched Kai approach him and nervously sit in a chair across from him.
A tension filled the room, filling Mason with dread. It was too late…he already knew. Mason was positive. He knew. Nathan must have caved, must have confessed everything to him. He couldn’t imagine what the young man was thinking, staring across at the person that he had never realized was his true father. It was probably much like the way that Mason looked upon him, although, it would be much more painful for Kai, due to his complete ignorance on the matter. At least with Mason the shock had been minimized, due to the fact that he’d always been aware of the possibility that he could be Kai’s father. He’d just never really thought he was.
Running his hands over his slacks, Kai cleared his throat. “Um…Mason, I need to talk to you about something…and it’s sort of hard…”
Mason sighed as he sat back in his chair. The sound came out with a bit of relief to it. And Mason supposed he was relieved. Kai did know. The tension that Mason had been carrying around for weeks could finally be dissipated. A surprising knot of sadness welled up in Mason, at the thought of not seeing his son anymore once he fled back home. The warmth he felt for him was stronger than he’d realized.
Confused that he actually felt so strongly on the matter, he shook his head. Irritation at Nathan cropped up, for putting them both in this situation, and, oddly enough, for being the one to tell Kai. Nathan hadn’t given him enough time. “He told you, didn’t he?” Mason shook his head at Kai, his voice incredulous. “I can’t believe he actually told you. After everything…I can’t believe he was so impatient, that he couldn’t give me just a few more weeks with you.”
His son’s entire demeanor changed. His brows bunched together and his mouth dropped open. Mason couldn’t tell if he was feeling angry or not. Surely he had to be, although, he nearly looked confused. “He? Sir?”
Mason sighed, running a hand back through his hair. “After all he did to get you out here with me, just so I could tell you…then he goes behind my back and tells you anyway.” Looking up at the ceiling, he smirked. “I really shouldn’t be surprised. That’s just like Nathan, he always was impatient.”
“Nathan?” Kai’s irritated voice brought Mason’s attention back to his son’s face. His brows were definitely scrunched in anger…although, the confusion was still there too. Mason really wasn’t sure what he had to be confused about at this point. Maybe he just couldn’t accept that nearly everyone he knew had spent a good chunk of his life lying to him. Mason could see why that would be confusing.
Kai shook his head. “My dad, Nathan? What are you talking about? What does my dad have to do…with anything? And what would he need you to tell me?”
All of the blood drained from Mason’s face. Oh…god. Did he misinterpret Kai’s reason for walking in here? Did he just make the one mistake that all scientists strive to never make? Had he just assumed a piece of knowledge without any proof to back it up? Had he just inadvertently clued Kai into the fact that a “job” was not the real reason he was here? Oh…no.
Shaking his head, Mason tried to redirect the conversation. “I’m sorry, what did you want to talk to me about, Kai?”
His son, no dummy, wasn’t deterred by such a flawed form of diversion. Like any well trained researcher, once he saw a nugget of what he wanted, he followed that path until he got an answer. It was one of the things Mason respected about him. Now, it was sort of a pain in his backside. “What does my dad have to tell me, that you’re supposed to tell me first?”
Mason sighed, his hand tiredly rubbing his eyes. He could try and convince Kai that it was nothing, that he was exhausted and talking gibberish, but he was certain the boy wouldn’t buy it. Plus…Mason needed this burden off his chest. He hoped Kai didn’t react by running away, but he couldn’t withhold the information in fear of the outcome. He hadn’t gotten as far as he had in life, by fearing outcomes.
Letting his hands fall to his lap, he said, in as professional a voice as he could muster, “Just over twenty three years ago, your mother and I were in love, and carried out an illicit affair behind Nathan’s back.” Kai’s eyes widened as he listened, his face shading to a lighter tan than usual. Tightening his stomach in preparation, Mason continued, “While we were together, Leilani became pregnant.” His hands splayed out to indicate Kai. “You are the result of our union,” he whispered.
Kai shot up out of his chair. He tilted his head at Mason, his eyes still wide with fear…or maybe denial. “What are you saying?”
Mason stood at his desk. Slowly walking around it, he said, in a much calmer voice than he ever believed he could, “I’m saying…that I am your biological father, Kai.”
Kai started shaking his head and backing up, away from Mason. Mason wanted to sigh, but he understood. It was a lot to spring on someone, unprepared. Maybe all three should have sat down together with him. Maybe a united front would have been easier…for Kai.
“No…you’re demented.” His finger came out to point at Mason; it was shaking. “Nathan Harper is my father!”
Mason took small steps towards him, palms beseeching. “Not by blood, Kai.” Kai backed up until he hit the door, still shaking his head. “I know this is hard to accept. I only recently found out myself. But
it is true, Kai. Genetically, I am your father.”
Pressed flat against the door, like it was holding him up, Kai whispered, “No…there’s been some mistake…”
Mason smiled as he put a hand on Kai’s shoulder; he flinched away from Mason. “I thought so too, at first. But Nathan had you tested when you were younger.” Mason shook his head, a sad smile on his lips. “I’m sorry, Kai, but you’re not his, and to the best of my knowledge, that leaves only me.”
Kai opened his mouth to protest, then shut it. He shifted his gaze to stare at the floor. “When I was younger…” His eyes lifted back up to Mason, moisture in them. “Is that why they got divorced? He found out the truth?”
Mason paused, then nodded. “Yes, he couldn’t forgive her for what she…what we, did. But know that she loved you regardless, Kai. And…if it makes it any easier for you…you were conceived with a great depth of love, on both sides.” His other hand came up to rest on Kai’s shoulders and Kai closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the door.
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