Page 63 of Prodigal

“You’re my proxy,” Ennis explained. “Which means you’re my heir to the seat. If anything happens to me, the seat goes to you. You will take my place.”

“It also means power, baby,” Gideon said in his ear. “You get to make or break corporations, governments, countries.”

But André shook his head, pulling away from Gideon’s hold. “What if I don’t want that? I don’t— That’s not who I am.”

“I know,” Ennis answered before Gideon could. “That’s precisely why I chose you. You wouldn’t allow yourself to be unduly influenced or the power to go to your head. You would make good decisions, André. Decisions based on the right things.” He glanced away. “I haven’t always done that. There were times when I allowed myself to be coerced into something even though I knew it wasn’t right.”

Gideon narrowed his eyes at that. Was Ennis alluding to being involved in Gideon’s mother’s death? He would have his answers. All he had to do was bide his time.

“Samir said The Council wants to see me, but why? I shouldn’t be involved as long ashe’sstill alive, right?” André jerked his chin in Ennis’s direction.

“The Council didn’t know about the change to my proxy,” Ennis said. “I’m guessing your sis—Sienna told them. She’s listed as my proxy on all official documents, for now. I hadn’t taken the time to file the revised proxy.” He exhaled loudly, lips twisting. “And I’m guessing they want to lay eyes on the son they never knew I had. Members of The Council know all of each other’s secrets.” His eyes blazed when he looked at Gideon even as he addressed André. “Secrets are a weakness to be exploited, you see.”

“I don’t want any part of this,” André said. “And I’m definitely not leaving Jules to go meet this council just so they can gawk at me. If they’re siding with Sienna, who knows what they would do to us once we’re there?”

“Nobody would dare touch you,” Gideon told him fiercely. “Those fuckers know better.” He would wipe them the fuck away.

“Um.” André blinked at him. “Sienna tried to kill me.”

“And she’ll be made to see the error of her ways in due time,” Gideon assured him with conviction. Sienna was going to die. He didn’t give a fuck what The Council or anybody else had to say about it.

“I need a phone,” Ennis said softly. “I need to get some balls rolling.” When Gideon just stared at him, he said, “On this, you and I are on the same side, Winters.”

Gideon stood, looming over him as he reclined in the bed. “We couldneverbe on the same side. Not when I know you have information about my mother’s death. Not when your daughter is actively trying to kill him.” He stabbed a finger in André’s direction. “And not when you were plotting to have me killed not too long ago.”

André gasped.

“You were a threat.” Ennis shrugged. “I knew you had André and I didn’t know what you planned to do with him. I have to protect my son, so yes, I wanted you dead. You would have done the same.”

He would have, but Gideon didn’t give the bastard the satisfaction of acknowledging his words. Instead, he grunted and turned to André. “As much as I hate to say this, you have to go before The Council. The sooner we get this done, the better.”

André paled.

“I agree with him,” Ennis said. “But we don’t make a single move on the board unless all the pieces—and players—are inplace.” He held out a hand to Gideon, fingers beckoning. “Phone. Please.”

Gideon still didn’t trust him, but he would put his bullshit aside in order to ensure André’s safety. If that meant working with Ennis Canto, then he would. And if that fucker ever double-crossed him, Gideon would bury him in a grave so deep, nobody would be able to find his body no matter how long they dug. He retrieved his phone from his pocket and handed it over. “Make it quick.”

While Ennis made his call, Gideon grasped both of André’s hands and gently pulled him to his feet. He led the other man out of the room and guided him to a quiet corner outside. “Hey.” Clasping André’s face in his hands, he peered into his troubled eyes. “Talk to me.”

“I’m just— My head is spinning right now.” André pressed his lips together.

“I know it’s a lot to take in, but I’m here.” He kissed André’s forehead, his nose, and then finally his lips. “I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise you that.”

André burrowed into his arms, burying his face in Gideon’s neck, and Gideon hugged him tight, rubbing his back, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

“I got you,” he whispered. “I got you, always.”

André eased back, smoothing a hand over Gideon’s hair. His gaze lifted past Gideon’s shoulder. “Do you trust him?” Tone soft, he met Gideon’s eyes. “My fa—Ennis. Do you trust him?”

Gideon took a breath before he answered. “I believe that he won’t do anything to hurt you. I believe that right now, he’s wishing he’d done a few things differently when it comes to you and your sister.”

“Butdo you trust him?”

“No.”

André’s eyes bulged “Then why?—”

Wrapping both arms around him again, Gideon tugged André back against his chest, murmuring in his ear, “Because around here, we keep our friends close and our enemies closer.”

---