Page 33 of The Prodigal

“Because.”

“Because why?”

“Because I’m no narc.”

Unfortunately, I have to address the contradiction in the room. “Gerald seems to think so.”

“Gerald is a fucking liar.”

Before I realize what I’m doing, I’m in her face, my hands on either side of her neck, holding her still. “First rule of being my research assistant: never use the word fucking around me unless you intend on doing it. I don’t like being teased.”

She swallows, and my thumb tracks the motion along her throat. I’m breathing hard, fighting back the urge to draw closer—to devour her right where she stands. This moment alone should concern her. Rarely am I tempted, but when I am, it’s not for long. I don’t do delayed gratification.

“This is your only warning,” I rasp out. “This won’t end well for you.”

Those startling, innocent blue eyes look up at me. “I heard you the first time, and I’m still here.”

So she is.

I can’t help but admire her determination.

She wants a bite of the forbidden fruit.

She wants to understand.

She wants to help.

And so, she will.

And we’ll both perish.

Eden had to clock in for her shift.

It didn’t break my heart.

After our conversation about revenge—and my raging headache—I needed a break and a nap. Now that I don’t feel my heartbeat behind my forehead, I’m thinking more clearly.

Like what a colossal mistake it is to allow Eden to willingly participate in my revenge.

It’s not like she wasn’t already part of my plan in this revenge story, but I misjudged her involvement with the congressman. I don’t admit this very often, but I might have been wrong about Eden Da Luca. From what I know of her, she isn’t like her family or the congressman. She isn’t even like me. A tragic past didn’t dampen her spirit or make her bitter as it did me.

Eden takes the blows she’s dealt, and she still stands, facing her competitor with a smile. Those people are rare in this world of greed and betrayal. She dictated her own future, not allowing her past to shape her. At one time, I thought the same about myself.

But that all changed this past year.

And I let the outcome consume me.

I’m bitter.

Angry.

What hope I once had is gone, and there, in its place, is revenge. This plan is the least I can do for my family—for myself. One last ‘fuck you’ before I admit defeat and let Congressman Albrecht win. Eden doesn’t know that this plan of revenge doesn’t end in peace or even a happily ever after.

It just ends.

Maybe it stops the congressman from ever thinking about fucking with my family again, but it’s not a victory—at least not for me.

Allowing Eden to think she’s fighting on the side of good is probably the worst thing I could do to her. While I’m no saint, I’m not evil either. I’m just a bitter asshole trying to deliver punishment to the only man left in the crime against the people I care about. Duke and Ray deserve closure. And if I’m honest, so do I.

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