Page 66 of Prodigal

“There are procedures that must be followed, Winters.”

“I know.” Gideon nodded. “The necessary documents have already been submitted, like Canto said. All that’s left is for you to acknowledge it and swear André in.” Clearly, they thought because they’d summoned him that things would have gone a certain way. They still hadn’t learned that he wouldn’t be manipulated or handled in any way…unless he wanted to be.

One of them gasped at his words. “How dare you? You’re telling us how to do our jobs now? He has to be vetted, investigated?—”

“No, he doesn’t. He has the backing of two fellow council members. No other proxy has ever had that.” With other proxies, their backer would usually be the person for whom they would be proxy and no one else. Gideon reached down and took André’s trembling hand, linking their fingers. He didn’t look at his lover when he told The Council, “When we leave here, we won’t be returning, so get your shit together and let’s get this done. You have an hour.”

“Contrary to what you believe, Winters, you are not our leader.”

Gideon smirked. “I am whoever I say I am.” He tossed them a wink, then turned away, taking a silent André with him. He didn’t check to see if Samir followed with Ennis. He knew they would be behind him.

Nobody spoke until they returned to their vehicle, Ennis climbing in with help from Samir. Once they were all inside with the doors closed, Ennis rammed a fist into Gideon’s jaw, knocking his head sideways, then lunged at him, grabbing him by the throat.

“No!” André shouted. “Stop!”

“My fucking daughter! You killed my daughter!” Ennis’s fingers dug into Gideon’s flesh.

But Gideon simply rolled his eyes, not even bothering to defend himself. Instead, he remained still as Ennis struggled against Samir, who yanked him away. Gideon tugged on his shirt, smoothing it out and cracking his jaw. He took a moment before he addressed Ennis. “Your daughter tried to kill you.” He kept his tone calm and measured. “Most importantly, she tried to kill your son. Tell me, what did you think the outcome would be when you made her confess—in front of the entire fucking council—that she attempted to take your life?”

Ennis’s eyes were red but dry as he stared Gideon down, hatred hot and tangible in his gaze.

“You knew her actions required a death sentence, but I guess you didn’t expect I would be the one to carry it out, huh?” Gideon leaned forward, into Ennis’s face. “Make no mistake, I would kill her over and over again if I could. I will wipe you—and the entire fucking council—off the map if I have to, to protect him.” He jerked a thumb in André’s direction. “He’s mine, and my job is to protect him. It used to be yours but you abdicated your responsibilities.” He sneered. “Like a fucking coward.”

“Gideon.”

He ignored the reproach in Samir’s voice. “You’re alive because I think hurting you would hurt him. But if he gave me the go-ahead, you would never see me coming.”

“Gideon.” André touched his shoulder. “Enough.”

Gideon took a deep breath, allowing André’s touch to calm the furor in his chest.

“This is who you want?” Ennis turned to André. “He’s a monster.”

André cocked his head, staring at his father. “What is it that Gideon did just now that you wouldn’t have done? If she hadn’t been your child, your daughter, the one you raised with all thatlove and privilege and entitlement, would you have allowed the person who tried to kill you to live?”

Ennis didn’t have a comeback for that. “She was your sister,” he told André instead.

“Who tried to kill me twice. And you.” André shrugged. “According to the rules of your council, that was a hostile act punishable by death. You don’t get to pick and choose which rules should be followed and which ones shouldn’t.”

Listening to him, Gideon couldn’t hide his smile. He hooked an arm around André’s shoulders and pulled him close, into his side. “You are spectacular,” he murmured against André’s temple. His words were for André and André alone. He hadn’t expected his lover to defend him, let alone do it with such calm surety. It filled his chest with warmth, made his heart beat harder and faster. “Samir.” He lifted his head, meeting his friend’s narrowed gaze, and gestured.

They’d been around each other, trusting each other, for so long that Samir didn’t need Gideon’s words. He tapped Ennis on the shoulder before opening the vehicle door and stepping out, then taking Ennis’s hand to help him climb out. The older man moved gingerly due to his healing injuries.

Injuries given to him by the daughter he was trying to defend.

Fuck him.

Once he was out of the vehicle, still holding on to Samir’s hand, Ennis glanced over his shoulder, lips parted as if to speak, but Gideon slammed the door in his face. Since the driver and the rest of the bodyguards were milling about outside, he had André to himself, and Gideon immediately hauled André onto his lap.

“Gideon!” André gripped his shoulders as he straddled him, knees pressing into the seat on either side of Gideon’s body.

“Hey.” Gideon pinched his chin gently. “Look at me.” André peered down at him with an eyebrow raised. “Thank you for defending me to your father. For supporting me.”

André licked his lips, and Gideon’s cock liked that shit. A lot. He loved it even more when André wiggled on him, trying to get comfortable. “You should have told me you were going to do that.”

He should have. Gideon nodded. “I’m sorry.”

André cupped his face in both hands, thumbs stroking his cheekbones. His eyes were serious when he said, “I’ve had enough of death and violence, Gideon. In this short period that we’ve known each other, I’ve seen too much of it.”

---