Page 8 of Prodigal

Ree was chosen because her father was in prison, sentenced to seventy-five years for embezzlement, corporate espionage, intimidation, lying, fraud, and a whole host of other shit that Ree worked hard to distance herself from.

“How did you find me?”

His lips twitched. They hadn’t seen each other in so long and those were her first words to him. Typical Ree, always asking questions. “Hello, Ree.”

“How did you find me?” she demanded, ignoring Samir.

“I never lost you, Ree.” She’d legally changed her full name, Rebecca, to the childhood nickname he’d given her and adopted her maternal grandmother’s maiden name. But she couldn’t hide, not from him.

“I thought Gideon Winters was dead.”

He shrugged. “I’m not.”

She snorted, clutching the strap of the gray messenger bag slung across her body “And you decided I should be the one to write your coming out story?”

“I mean, you’re the only reporter I know.”

Her eyes flashed. “You don’t know me. Hell, I don’t even know if you are who you say you are.”

“You were my first kiss,” he reminded her. “Next to the duck pond in my backyard. Your glasses fell off and I stepped on them, then had to lead you home by the hand because you couldn’t see for shit.” And that was as far as he wanted to go down memory lane. He ignored Ree’s gaping and turned around, heading back into the office. He didn’t check to see if she followed, but she would. She was a reporter, after all, but more than that, Ree had always been the curious type.

He’d found that very annoying back then.

In the office, he perched on the edge of the desk and waited for her to join him. When she did reluctantly, he asked, “Are we doing this, or do I have to find someone else?” It was rhetorical.They both knew she couldn’t buy the amount of exposure he was about to give her. When her father was revealed as the corrupt crook he was, their family had lost everything. Ree’s mother took her own life, unable to deal with the shame and guilt. Ree and her sister were all that was left of a family that used to be almost as powerful as Gideon’s own.

Ree needed money. Her business was failing.

She needed him. And he needed her.

He watched as she sank into the chair Samir pulled out for her, daintily crossing her jeans-covered legs and nibbling on her bottom lip. “I have a million questions,” she warned him.

Gideon nodded. “Ask them.” When they were done, he’d ask her one of his own.

The interview lasted almost three hours, and Gideon barely noticed when Samir brought in food for him and Ree at some point. She was good at what she did, and though they’d started off a bit stiff and formal, in no time at all they’d settled into a rhythm borne of familiarity. At least, the familiarity of the innocent children they’d once been.

“Thank you.” Ree got to her feet, shoving her laptop into her bag. When she straightened, she held out a hand. “It was lovely to see you, Gideon. I’m glad you’re back.”

He took her hand, holding it in his as he asked, “When was the last time your father called you?”

She blinked, clearly thrown. “My— What?” When she tried to tug out of his hold, he refused to release her.

“Please answer the question, Ree. When was the last time Warren called you?”

“That man is not my father,” she spat. “He calls me every Friday and I never answer, but he won’t stop calling.” Her facade was beginning to crack, so Gideon released her and she stepped away from him, eyes shooting daggers.

It was Thursday, so the next phone call would be coming tomorrow. “Answer the next time he calls.”

“What the fuck, Gideon? Don’t tell me what to do. This has nothing to do with you.”

He glanced at Samir, who stepped forward and took Ree’s bag from her, the one containing her laptop with the audio and video files, as well as her backup drives.

“Hey. What?—”

“Ree.” She jerked her angry gaze to him. “We’ll hold on to that until you answer your father’s call.”

Her eyes bulged. “You can’t do that! Are you serious?”

He nodded once. “Deadly so, I’m afraid.” Will and Kaleb entered the room then, likely summoned by Samir. “Will and Kaleb will escort you out.”

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