The Sting

  AS THE SUN SHINED THROUGH THE HUGE GLASS WINDOW of the Nixon penthouse, a young Chase was watching his favorite cartoon on the television contently. His mother, Donatella was cooking a big breakfast, his favorite because today was a special day, his tenth birthday . Even his father was home, taking a break from filming his latest movie.

"Run Scooby!" The young boy yelled at the tv, quickly sitting up as he yelled and pointed at the tv. "He's right behind you!"

"Hey, bugger! Watcha watching?" Mason Nixon asked with a smile on his face as he plopped down onto the couch next to his son.

"Watching Scooby doo, this is the best morning ever." Chase sighed wistfully, letting his eyes close slightly as he savored the moment. "I never want this day to end, dad."

"Days always have to end, but i'll make sure it's long enough for you to remember, promise." The Nixon man patted his son on the back, smiling lightly at how happy he was making him by simply being present, he loved he could make a person feel that way.

But he could also make people feel pain, and he loved that even more.

"Maybe after breakfast we can go for a walk, i've been meaning to find some new butterflies for my book." Chase sat up excitedly, reaching for the book on the coffee table not far from him. "I already have ten types here and i'm excited to find more."

"That's rad." Mason nodded, looking as his son turned the pages of his butterfly journal, intricate pictures of the different species drawn out by the talented boy. "You are really good at this stuff, kid."

"Mom says I get it from her, she says that you can't draw for shi—"

"Watch your mouth, Chase." Donatella commented as she walked into the living room, a table tray in her hands full of food for the young boy. "Birthday boys get food first."

"Today really is amazing, you always give dad food first." The young Nixon boy threw his book to the side, grabbing the fork from the table as his mom sat it down in front of him. "Can everyday be my birthday, please?"

"Unfortunately, no." Mason explained as his wife walked back to the kitchen to gather his food, "But, you get a birthday once a year and I always want them to be the happiest days of your life."

"Me too." Chase hummed, cutting into his pancake with the fork in his hand before placing a small piece of bacon on top and placing it in his mouth, his absolute favorite combo.

"Breakfast is served boys." Donatella said, placing the tray in front of her husband with a smile. "I've been up all morning while your lazy butts stayed asleep, so, you better enjoy."

"Yes, ma'am." Mason replied with a grin, digging into his food. "We're going on a walk later, Chase wants to update his butterfly journal."

"Fine by m—" the Nixon woman was interrupted by the crashing of the door, a line of people falling into her home, she immediately jumped forward, reaching for her son as the boy began quivering in fear, his eyes widening at the sight of about a dozen tall men.

"Daddy, what's happening?" Chase asked, his voice fearful as his lips formed a pout, poor kid had no idea how drastically his life was about to change.

"I want you to cover your eyes, son. Don't look at what's about to happen." Mason replied, holding his hands up in the air.

Before he obeyed, the young boy noted that several red dots were pointed at his father, he figured the men had laser pointer pens just like him as he shut his eyes, maybe this was a surprise?

"Mason, what is happening?" Donatella begged, staring at her husband who gave her no response.

"Not in front of my son, please." The Nixon man begged. "Don't do this in front of my son, i'll do anything for him not to see this."

"Put your hands up in the air." A voice spoke, willing to oblige.

No child ever deserved to see their father being dragged off to prison, especially not on their birthday.

"Come here, Chase." The voice spoke again, the young boy looking away from the comfort of his mothers chest.

He looked up at Donatella who nodded slightly, allowing him to walk over to the man and take his hand. The man guided him outside, and eventually they walked to a black car. Chase remembered that because it scared him, the way the sleek black SUV looked intimidated ten year old him.

"Is this a birthday surprise?" The Nixon boy asked innocently.

"I guess you could say that." The man nodded as he helped the small boy into the back seat.

"How do you know my name, sir?" Chase asked, furrowing his brows. "Mom and dad always say not to talk to strangers but, how can you be a stranger if you know my name?"

"I'm Jason, Jason Gideon." The man smiled faintly, a look of guilt on his face, the Nixon boy remembered that look well, it was how his dad looked whenever he couldn't come home for a long time. "Now we aren't strangers, are we, Chase?"

"No, I guess not, Mr. Gideon. It's nice to meet you." The young boy paused for a minute, tilting his head. "Why do you look sad?"

"I don't look sad." The man denied that immediately, shaking his head as he spoke. "I'm happy, I can't be sad on your birthday."

"I am good at telling when people are sad." Chase replied, a nonchalant look on his face. "Or happy, or—"

"Angry?" Gideon interrupted, examining the actions of the boy before him, it felt wrong questioning him but, he needed as much insight on Mason as he could get.

"Yeah." The Nixon boy nodded. "I'm really good at that too, dad's work friends are always angry, I don't like them very much."

"What about your father? Is he ever angry?" The older man asked, tilting his head to the side.

"Never, Mr. Gideon."

AUTHORS CORNER—
Ah this chapter prologue makes me so sad because it starts like so much trauma for Chase.

Anything you think from this that will show up throughout the book?

Hope you enjoyed!