He leans into my ear and whispers, “Congratulations, dad, you’ve just admitted to committing fraud by perpetuating a fake marriage.”
I freeze momentarily.
He’s right. But he doesn’t stop there. “And I have enough on you and Kenneth from the last couple of days to throw this election into the fucking shitter for you, just to let you know.”
I don’t know what to say at this point.
“Makes that heartfelt speech of coming out to save your family look like bullshit when they see camera footage of Kenneth fucking you on the staircase,” he finishes and pulls back to give me a broad, beaming smile that the cameras will pick up. They’ll think those were words of encouragement. But they chill my blood.
Maybe this is my son more than I thought.
Is that a bit of pride there I’m feeling for him?
Depends on how he plays it. Let’s see.
As if sensing this, Lance leans in one more time.
“I’m not getting off this podium and I’m releasing all this shit tomorrow unless you publicly take care of Jocelyn right now,” he says. “And don’t worry, I’ve gotten video footage stashed away pretty securely. I knew you’d try to double cross us as we planned this so I was ready to fight back.”
This time when Lance pulls back, I’m smiling.
So, the big oaf is capable of learning something after all. I taught him to think a few steps ahead.
Granted, he’s still playing checkers when this is chess, but at least he’s stood up to me, backed me in a corner, and is getting what he wants from me.
I turn back to the podium.
“I want the world to know that I wish Lance and Jocelyn all the happiness in the world,” I say as I turn to Lance and hand him the envelope with the unsigned marriage certificate. “That’s why I want them to know that I have a private chartered plane to take them anywhere in the world they want to go, as well as an executive position for Lance in Anders Media for when he wants to come back to work for his old man.”
People watching this are literally beaming now. They think I’m a generous old man.
“And Jocelyn, you’ll always be taken care of, dear,” I say, turning to her and giving her my fakest smile. She’s looking at me more in shock. Stupid woman was never a good liar. I can’t imagine how she pulled off this affair for so long. “I want you to be comfortable, so you’ll always have a monthly allowance of money to keep you in the lifestyle you’re accustomed to.”
That last one is going to hurt I can tell and it’s the only one I feel regret for. That’s at least several hundred thousand a month. But the moment I make those promises, I see Lance’s eyes soften, and I know he’s gotten everything he’s wanted.
“New York, I pledge to always be open and honest with you, and if you still want me as your Mayor, please go vote in two days!”
The crowd cheers. I mean the reporters are cheering. This election may just be in the bag because of this little stunt. And my concessions to Lance and Jocelyn – I think that’s what swayed the voters.
I turn towards the two of them on the podium and approach them.
“Are we good?” I ask. No microphone can hear us.
“I never want to see you again,” Jocelyn says with a smile.
“Just take the money and you’ll never have to,” I say back.
“Don’t interfere in our lives, or I will fucking hunt you down,” Lance says, beaming with good cheer.
“I promise,” I say and I mean it. I don’t need to be bogged down by these two. I have my Kenneth. “Feel free to take the jet whenever.”
“We’ll be leaving tonight,” Lance says and hugs me.
Jocelyn tries a smile, but she can’t do it. That’s fine. I turn to the crowd with Lance and we both put an arm over each other’s shoulder and wave.
The crowd gives us adulation to an extent I had never felt before.
Maybe I underestimated Lance.