Page 16 of Prodigal

“What does that even mean? Who are you?”

“A man on a mission. As for why I’m helping you, you’re how I’ll get close to Ennis.”

And there it was.“No.” He didn’t give a fuck who was out there trying to do what to him. He’d chance that rather than willingly stay and allow Gideon to use him and Jules as fuckingbait. “Jules and I are leaving.” He didn’t wait for a response, yanking open the door and retracing his steps back to Jules in quick strides. He pulled open Jules’s bedroom door and found her reclining in bed, chuckling at something playing on the humongous TV while eating a slice of cake.

“Dré!” She smiled at him. “Here, have some cake.”

“Not now, Jules. Get dressed, we’re leaving.”

She pouted. “Already? I thought we were staying the night.”

“Dunno who gave you that impression, but they were wrong.” He glanced around the room, then back to her. “You need help with anything?” he asked, ignoring her disappointed expression.

“No.” Her shoulders slumped.

“Hey.” He cupped her chin, tugging her head up to meet his gaze. “We don’t know these people. We don’t belong here.” He was going to get them a hotel for the next couple of days and use that time to figure out his next moves, but he would figure it out.

Jules nodded, lips pressed together.

“Okay. Now go ahead and get yourself together. We leave in twenty. I’ll be outside your door.” He left her with a peck on the cheek and exited the bedroom, standing just outside. He half expected Gideon to follow and try to stop him, but he hadn’t. So that was good.

If there truly was someone out there trying to hurt him and Jules, what was he going to do? Call the cops? He couldn’t tell them about the pizza shop because as far as they knew, there’d been no other parties involved. And what could the cops do against someone as powerful as Ennis Canto if he were indeed the one behind all that happened tonight? Gideon had shown André just how easy it was for men like that to come in and change the course of an investigation with nothing but their presence.

How was he going to keep Jules safe?

“I’m ready.” Jules wheeled herself out of the bedroom just as Gideon appeared as if on cue. “Gideon!”

“Miss Juliette.” His smile was genuine, reaching his eyes, crinkling the corners. André stared. “It’s been a pleasure having you, even if our time together was so short.” He knelt beside her and she threw her arms around his neck as if they were old friends.

André shook his head. Jules was like that, open and friendly. He had to always be the one to bring her back down to earth. “Let’s go, Jules. Mister Winters.” He nodded at Gideon, who straightened to his full height once Jules released him. “Thank you for your help.”

“Of course.” Gideon nodded, expression impassive, save for something that gleamed in his eyes. “I’m glad you’re not worried about the home invasion and attempt on you and your sister’s life.”

Jules gasped. “What?”

Fuck!

“I’m sorry you couldn’t take me up on my offer to stay here under my protection.” Gideon held André’s gaze, his eyes issuing a challenge. “Be safe out there.”

“Wait, André. What did he say?”

“Jules—” Gideon did that shit on purpose. André swallowed his fury as he told his sister, “Don’t worry.”

“Somebody tried to kill us?” Jules’s shrill voice bounced off the walls, panic in her eyes, on her face. “Somebody wants to kill us?” Her lips trembled.

“Jules.” André bent over and took her face in his hands, silently cursing when he felt the tremors that racked her body. “You’re safe. I won’t let anything or anyone hurt you."

“But why are we leaving?” Her eyes were wet and clouded with fear. “G-Gideon can protect us.”

“That’s not his responsibility, Jules," André told his sister softly. “We’re not his responsibility.”

“But there are people out there who want to hurt us!” she yelled. “How can we protect ourselves? Gideon can do that. He has the power to do that.”

André very much resented Jules’s faith in theall-powerfulGideon Winters, who she’d only met that very night, but he couldn’t call her on it. She was scared, and it was his job to alleviate that fear. To ensure her safety. And right now, she buried her face in his chest, clinging to him, her body shaking. She was scared out of her mind. It broke his heart.

“Hey.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “We can stay. We’ll stay here and let Gideon protect us until we know there’s no threat.” He’d do anything to keep her safe.

Jules leaned back, gaze searching his. “You’re sure?” she asked, voice hesitant.

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