Page 77 of Prodigal

“I do.” André pursed his lips, silently begging for a kiss, and Gideon gave it to him. Softly at first, just the press of lips. Then André parted for him, inviting him in, and Gideon swept in with a low moan.

That easily he lost himself in André. Oblivious to the other members of his team who were up front in the SUV as they sped along the highway. It was only them, he and André, lost in their own world. In each other.

Until Samir cleared his throat. “Morrow made bail. He’s holding a press conference, talking about baseless allegations.”

Gideon reluctantly lifted his head from André and licked his lips. “Have our techs release the videos. One each hour beginning immediately after Morrow wraps the press conference.” He eased away from André. “We’re going to see your father.”

André froze, eyes narrowed. “Why the fuck would we do that?”

“Because Ennis will be the one to put Alexander’s name up for nomination as Morrow’s replacement. I can’t do it, otherwise they’d suspect I have an agenda.”

“Which you do,” André so helpfully pointed out.

“Which I do, but they can’t know that yet.”

“Okay, but why would Ennis do anything for you? You killed his daughter, his lover, and left him stranded out in the middle of nowhere.”

Gideon didn’t need reminding. And he’d do all of it all over again. “I think your father would do anything if you asked it of him.”

André stared at him.

Gideon stared back.

André broke first. “Ugh. You’re lucky I love you.”

“I know.” Smile splitting his face, Gideon pressed his forehead to André’s. “I’m very lucky.”

André stared.

Gideon’s driver had pulled up to a gate that was at least seven feet tall. Between that and the abundance of large trees, he couldn’t see anything of what was hidden beyond. He hadn’t known where Ennis lived, but clearly Gideon knew. A part of André didn’t want to be there, didn’t want to lay eyes on the man who’d fathered him, but Gideon had asked him for this favor.

The least André could do was try.

“Up to you,” Gideon told him gently. “We could leave and I’ll figure out another way if this is too much for you.”

André didn’t know what it was to him yet, but he knew he couldn’t disappoint Gideon, so he just shook his head and climbed out of the vehicle, Gideon following closely behind. There was a guard booth near the inside of the gate, but it was too far away from him to see or talk to whoever was inside. He pressed the buzzer on the retaining wall on the outside of the gate and waited for someone to respond.

They didn’t make him wait. “What do you want?”

Okay, rude much? “I’m here to see Ennis.”

“Who are you?”

“Tell him André is outside.” The sooner they got this over with, the better. Gideon stood next to him, silent and watchful, on guard as they waited. “What if he refuses to see me?” he muttered to Gideon.

A hand settled on his lower back and Gideon leaned in. “Your old man is a lot of things, but stupid isn’t one,” he said softly. “He won’t pass up a chance to see you.”

Maybe Gideon was putting too much faith in Ennis. All his father seemed to want was a way to get André away from Gideon, and thatdefinitelywasn’t happening.

A low clank sounded and they spun around, watching as the gates opened. Gideon glanced at him, eyebrows raised in atold yougesture. Rolling his eyes, André grabbed Gideon’s hand and tugged him back to the vehicle.

They had to drive almost a quarter of a mile more before they arrived at the massive house. André frowned as he exited the SUV and stood with hands on his hips. This was where Ennis lived? Where he raised his daughter while ignoring André’s existence? It all seemed so over-the-top.

Or was that just his bitterness talking?

Armed men appeared, approaching them from all sides.Huh.Someone had upped his security since the last time he’dtangled with Gideon. Gideon didn’t protest when they were told they would need to be searched, so André didn’t either.

“They’re staying out here,” Gideon said, voice barely above a growl when Ennis’s men turned to Samir and the others in Gideon’s security detail.

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