Page 35 of The Prodigal

Eden

“Does that frighten you?”

He wanted to scare me, but at that moment, I was anything but afraid.

“You’re no killer,” I argue, hearing him blow smoke into the phone before he clucks his tongue, seemingly disappointed with my answer.

“And you, Sweet Eve, are not as brave as you think you are.”

His observation last night was spot-on, but I would never admit that I’m not brave. Brave people look fear in the face and proceed, even when scared. But that’s not me. When I’m scared, I run.

For years, I’ve evaded Gerald and Natasha. I wanted anonymity and freedom from our tumultuous past. For a while, I had it, but I knew it wouldn’t last long. Even behind bars, my mother haunted me.

So maybe joining Remington on this pursuit of revenge is simply me living out a fantasy that I would never be able to do on my own. I’m not like him. I worry about getting caught after breaking the law. But Remington seems to welcome obstacles. He swore nothing would stand between him and his revenge.

Call me a romantic, but I’m a sucker for an underdog story—especially one who gets payback.

But that was yesterday.

Today is a totally different story.

“I should push you out of that chair.” My fists clench at my side as I approach the liar perched upon his plastic throne, a cigarette lit between his two fingers.

“And here I thought today would be a bore.” Remington’s brows rise as he takes a drag off his cigarette. “Do tell, princess. What did I do to incite such a violent greeting from you?”

I hold up my phone as if it were a news article. “You lied. You didn’t tell me everything.”

At first, he doesn’t respond. He simply leans back in the chair and stares at me like he has all day to do so.

“If you’re trying to make this awkward, like yesterday, don’t bother. I’m not leaving without the truth.”

Remington’s eyes flash with a challenge, but he smothers it with a dramatic sigh that sounds more annoyed than angry. “Oh, Eve.” He tsks as if I’m some silly kid. “Don’t get attached to the truth. It can betray you in the worst way.”

“Spare me your philosophical bullshit. I want the truth. Why did you lie to me?”

“I didn’t lie to you. I just didn’t tell you thewholestory.”

His tone reeks of amusement, and it occurs to me that he wanted me to find out this way. This was all part of his devious, little plan.

In a moment that I will probably regret later, I snatch the pack of cigarettes off his lap and slip them into the back pocket of my jeans.

However, it only serves to incite an amused smile on his chiseled face. “If this is your way of punishing me, Eve, by all means, continue. But remember, I have no problem with crossing boundaries. Be careful where you hold my possessions. You might not like how I retrieve them.”

The threat in his voice sends shivers down my spine. I’m not sure if I’m more scared or excited to test his boundaries. Either way, it doesn’t matter. I need answers, and this aggravating man has them. “You wanted me to find out, didn’t you?”

“You’re going to need to be a little more specific, love.”

I hate that he’s treating this as if it’s a joke.

“Okay, fine. Let me clarify. I did some digging last night and found your congressman.”

Remington chuckles under his breath, acting as if I’m seriously funnier than I am. “Did he post pictures of his chocolate éclair again? I don’t understand the obsession with food over pussy.”

“This isn’t funny, Remington!”

His brows rise. “Remington, huh? No 101?”

I can’t even deal with his shit right now. “Why didn’t you tell me your father married Congressman Albrecht’s fiancée?”

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