Page 22 of Prodigal

“I helped you kill my father?” She touched a trembling hand to her chest, clutching her t-shirt in her fist. “Why-why— I helped you. How?—”

He cut her off as her voice rose. “There’s nothing for you to feel guilty about, Ree. Warren was a scumbag and a traitor.”

“He was my father!” She exploded on him, fists beating at his chest. “My father!And you used me to murder him?” Her voice broke and her legs buckled.

Gideon wrapped his arms around her to keep her from crashing to the floor on her knees, but she yanked away from him, putting distance between them, facing him with a hand on her heaving chest, lips trembling.

“You’re a monster.”

Gideon cocked his head.

“I thought you were different, but?—”

“Why would you think that, Ree?” He lifted an eyebrow. “You only knew the boy I once was, not the man I am now. Why would you think I’d be different? Different compared to what?”

She didn’t answer, but if her wet, flashing eyes were weapons, he’d already be on the floor bleeding out. Gideon didn’t care. He couldn’t. He hadn’t crawled his way back from the shadows to be liked. He stood where he was now because he was on a mission to regain his identity and all that was stolen from himby any means necessary.

Collateral damage was a given.

“You’re a monster.” The repeated words trembled from her lips, low and tortured as a knock came on the office door.

Gideon closed the distance between them, swiping her wet cheek with the pad of a finger. “I am, but so was your father. Sodry your tears, he never did deserve that shit.” He glanced up as the door opened and Samir and Kaleb walked in. “Kaleb is gonna take you?—”

“So I can be killed as well?” she spat. “I'm not going anywhere with any of your people.”

“Ree.” Gideon brushed a thumb across her jaw, smiling at the hatred sparkling in her eyes. She made him feel nostalgic. “If I wanted you dead, your sister would already be planning your funeral. Now please, you don’t have a choice. Go with Kaleb.” He stared into her eyes, watching the reality and gravity of her situation fully sink in. He saw, too, the moment she surrendered. Satisfied, Gideon nodded to Kaleb, who escorted a visibly defeated Ree out of the office. Once the door closed behind them, Samir spoke.

“Ennis Canto called a meeting.”

Gideon turned to him. “Called a meeting with who?” Couldn’t be with Gideon. The other members of The Council knew better than to summon him.

“Prislaya Chopra.”

Ah, The Council’s very own sadist. “When and where?” Before he’d even stepped out of the shadows, before his father took his last breath, they’d positioned spies in the organizations of all members of The Council. One of the best strategic moves they’d ever made, in Gideon’s opinion.

“Tonight. Washington.”

“Hmm.” Gideon walked over to the bar at the other end of the office and poured himself a shot of whisky, tossing it back before pouring another. This one he nursed, staring into the swirling liquid as if it were tea leaves he could read. “What do you think they’ll be discussing?”

Samir chuckled, coming to stand next to him as they stared out the large window overlooking the city together. “Your demise if I had to guess.”

His demise. “To my demise.” Gideon held up the glass, toasting before tossing it back. “Get the jet ready, we’ve got a meeting to crash.”

An hour later, as he exited his office on the way up to the helipad—he’d be taking the helicopter to the airfield where his private jet was fueled and waiting for him—Juliette approached him.

“Gideon!”

“Miss Juliette.” Something about her always made him smile. Her eyes were always so wide and full of joy. There was nothing hidden about her—everything showed on her face. Right now she was happy to see him. He hadn’t seen her or her brother since breakfast but he already knew André was never happy to see him.

“I was wondering if you— Are you leaving?”

She sounded disappointed. “I am, yes. I have an out-of-town meeting I can’t miss.”

“Oh.” She lowered her gaze, shoulders slumping.

“Hey.” He lifted her chin with two fingers. “What’s up?”

“I thought we could watch a movie again,” she said in a rush. “Last night you and Dré fell asleep, so we didn’t get to watch the movie so I thought we could have a do-over with snacks and stuff?” Her voice went up an octave at the end. “Also, can I maybe invite my girlfriend over? I miss her, but also she’s kinda jealous that I get to stay with you.” She blushed when she said that part, and Gideon couldn’t help the chuckle.

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