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“What the hell are you doing here?” Jenny’s voice had shot from the kitchen.

Scott had barely set foot into the apartment that he shared with his kid sister after returning from assisting in the San Francisco warehouse party fire and Jenny was all over him. He had bailed on Alexa and her parents in order to help the fire fighting efforts, and he knew that he was going to pay for that. Not from Alexa, but from her parents. Alexa’s father, Jonathan Winstone hated the fact that Scott was with his daughter. Mr. Winstone was a bit of a snob, and felt that only a man with about 10 figures in his bank account was worthy of his daughter’s time. The elder Winstone did not bother to hide his disapproval of the relationship, more concerned with appearances than his own daughter’s happiness. 

“Scott, you smell like smoke. You need to get cleaned up and get to the restaurant, fast!” Jenny told her older brother. When Scott had first started dating Alexa, Jenny had been skeptical. All she knew about Alexa was what the tabloids had published about her. She was a spoiled rich party girl who had been given control of the East Coast branch of Winstone International because she was “Daddy’s Little Princess.” What she did not expect, was the real Alexa Winstone. In the months that Scott and Alexa had been together, Jenny and Alexa had become very close. Jenny saw Alexa as the older sister that she never had. So when she saw that Scott was dragging his feet to get to the “family dinner” that he had so been dreading, it pissed her off.

“Thirty-six people.” Scott said as he made his way past the kitchen on his way to the bathroom.

“What?” Jenny asked.

“I saved thirty-six people tonight. Thirty-six people that the firefighters couldn’t get to, thirty-six people that had been left for dead.” Scott told her. “Thirty-six people that are alive because I was able to get to them. I think I made the right choice.” Scott finished as he went into the bathroom and closed the door behind him. 

Moments later her reemerged from the bathroom, fully showered and changed. He looked dashing in the black and grey suit that Alexa had bought him special for this occasion. Even though he told her not to get him the suit, she had insisted. Though he would have looked just as good in one of the suits that he already owned, she wanted desperately for Scott to impress her father; a feat that Scott knew was something impossible. He could come right out and tell him that he was Icon, and he still wouldn’t be good enough. Despite his reluctance to accept the suit, he had to admit something…He looked damn good. 

“Wow.” Jenny said as Scott emerged from the bathroom. “You look great. Go knock ‘em dead.” Jenny finished as Scott flashed her smile as he walked out the door.

Scott could have flown from his apartment over The Hub to AnGio which was located just outside of the Financial District, and been there in moments. However, he decided that he would get there the old fashioned way, he’d take the subway. So he made his way to the station just several blocks away from The Hub and boarded the Blue Line toward Central Station. From there he traversed the six blocks to AnGio, which he found to be a bit trendy for his taste. However, the white collar workers, as well as the Lost Haven elites absolutely loved the place, which had a three month waiting list for reservations. Scott entered the restaurant and had to admit, he was impressed. The décor was outstanding, combining the elegance that you might expect at a five star restaurant with a true homey atmosphere. As he approached the host, for the first time he understood why there was a three month long wait list. 

“Can I help you, Sir?” the host asked as Scott approached him.

“Um, yes. I’m with the Winstone party, they’re expecting me.” Scott replied.

“Ah yes, you must be Mr. Hunter. We were beginning to wonder if you were going to be able to join us.” The host said in a manner that was equal parts welcoming and scolding as pointed Scott in the right direction.

[i]Yeah, this is going to be a great night…[/i] Scott said to himself as he laid eyes on Mr. and Mrs. Winstone. As he approached the table, his eyes shifted to Alexa, and in that instant he remembered exactly why he put himself through the tortures that her father was sure to inflict throughout the evening. 

As Scott approached the table, Jonathan Winstone and his wife, Janice both stood to greet him. While Janice could be cold and distant, she was much more tolerant of his relationship with Alexa than her husband, who was outright opposed to them being together. As Scott reached the table Janice stepped toward him from the table with her arms open.

“Scott, it’s so good to see you.” She said as she leaned in and gave him a brief hug. 

“Indeed.” Jonathan said wistfully while avoiding eye contact.

“It’s good to see you, Janice.” Scott said as he pulled away and turned to her husband. “Jonathan.” Scott said as he extended his hand, which the older man did not take, instead taking his seat at the table.

[i]Prick.[/i] Scott thought to himself as he turned his attention to Alexa, who had remained seated at the table. He leaned down and wrapped his muscular arms around her shoulders while he buried his face in her dark brown hair, kissing her on the top of the head as he slipped into the seat beside her.

“You’re late.” Jonathan said coldly without making eye contact.

“Yeah, my apologies, my partner wasn’t able to make it to work today and there was an issue with a delivery, which is usually his department.” Scott lied as he reached for a glass of water, and braced himself for a very long, very contentious night.