Shattered (Anderson Special Ops #4) - Melody Anne Page 0,102

that grow inside of them. That’s why this organization is so important to me. We do projects in low-income areas and bring the kids in, paying them for their work and providing them with the tools, the food, and the knowledge of how to make it better for them as they get older. The youngest kids who’ve come and worked with us are five years old. We have tasks for the youngest, teaching them skills they’ll carry for life. We also have kids we’ve taught who come back and teach the younger generations. Any money you can donate will help to build more buildings, buy more property, and create more parks. If we keep doing this one project at a time, we can discover an entire new world within a couple of generations.” Joseph stopped again as the crowd applauded, this time with more enthusiasm.

Smoke had to admit this program Joseph had started was the best one he’d ever been a part of. It wasn’t just a charity it was an entire community teaching and helping these kids learn and acquire skills that would stay with them for life and would keep them out of gangs and away from crime. Smoke had been lucky to have his mother. A lot of these kids had parents who didn’t have time for them or simply didn’t care. If Joseph’s program took off, maybe it would spread around the entire country and then the world. Smoke could hope.

Joseph suddenly looked out over the crowd. It took him several moments, and then his eyes spotted Smoke. “Tyrell, can you please come up here?” Joseph said as he waved his hand at Smoke. Smoke shook his head. He wasn’t sure what in the heck that was about.

“Oh yes, you will,” Amira said. “I was only playing with you about sneaking off. I didn’t want you to think anything was up,” she finished. He narrowed his eyes at her as she wrapped her arm in his and led him forward, the crowd parting as they wondered what this was about.

“That’s it, Tyrell, keep on moving,” Joseph said with a laugh. Then he looked at the crowd. “I think he’s a little reluctant, so can you all give him a hand to get him here a bit quicker?” The crowd instantly responded, and soon there was a roar of noise as Amira propelled Smoke forward.

He reached the stairs leading to the stage and Amira walked up with him. If she’d have let go, he might’ve tried to turn in the other direction and run for it. That wasn’t going to be happening though.

They stepped up to Joseph, who looked so incredibly proud. He immediately pulled Smoke into his arms and gave him a hug, shocking Smoke. The man was large, a bit larger than Smoke, which was unusual for anyone. Smoke was normally the biggest man of almost any group he’d ever been in.

Joseph released him, then stepped back to the mic. “I have some special people here today who wanted to give something to Smoke,” Joseph said.

Smoke felt his throat clog when he saw Carol and her son Anthony walk onto the stage holding a man’s hand. The boy was beaming as he saw Smoke and started jumping up and down in excitement. He said something to his mother, and she nodded her approval. The boy released the man’s hand and made a beeline straight for Smoke. For a second Smoke forgot about the crowd watching and dropped to his knees to catch Anthony as the child launched himself into Smoke’s arms.

Smoke didn’t cry. It was something he’d never done, but he felt a sting of tears as the small child enveloped him in a hug. After a long time, Anthony pulled back and looked Smoke in the eyes as he held one small hand to Smoke’s cheek and said, “I love you,” with such sincerity, Smoke nearly melted into the floor.

“I love you too,” Smoke said. Those words weren’t easy for him to utter. He’d only ever said them before to his mother, but as he said them to the boy, he realized he meant it. There was a bond that couldn’t be broken when you saved someone’s life. He was so grateful he’d saved Anthony and was looking forward to watching the boy grow into a man and to seeing what he’d do with his life.

Carol and the man walked over to Smoke and the man shook Smoke’s hand, while Carol did as her