Page 100 of The Prodigal

I waver for half a second before deciding that, technically, I’m still his research assistant and reach for his phone, already reading the previews of the texts on the screen.

Ignoring all the messages from his parents and his uncle, I choose to focus on a more interesting one from someone nameddead man. The criminal researcher in me is already suspicious thatdead manis none other than my newly revealed sperm donor. I can’t be sure, without doing more research, though—obviously.

Turning the phone, I hold it in front of Remington’s face to unlock it. Instantly, I’m brought to his home screen, where I find his message app and open it, clicking ondead man’s message.

Only a couple of texts are in the chat. One from a couple of weeks ago when Remington tolddead man—aka Albrecht—that he would tell his daughter—aka me—hi, and the other is from an hour ago.

The words on the screen might as well be a marriage proposal. There, in a blue chat bubble, are two sentences that mean more than I love you.

Stay out of her life, and I’ll back off. You don’t deserve her.

Now, it’s been a rough day, but if I’m not mistaken, this text sounds a lot like Remington is tapping out of his revenge quest against Albrecht for me—to keep another wicked person out of my life. Unless he’s lying, and this is all part of the plan.

No. No way.

There are evil people in this world, yes, but Remington Potter is not one of them.

Remington is not wicked.

He won’t be.

Because I would kill him.

There’s no way he’s going to do sweet things for me and promise to be my Adam in another life and then walk away after all this.

I will be that crazy bitch that goes to jail for murdering her sarcastic—

Remington’s phone buzzes in my hand, cutting off my inner rant, as Albrecht’s response appears in the chat.

You have a deal. Let this be a lesson for the future. Blackmail only works when you have the right leverage. Next time, try fucking your feelings since you seem to have so many for my daughter.

Okay, so maybe I’m toxic.

Maybe I have Daddy issues.

But one thing is for sure, I love Remington “Asshole” Potter. He might have kept secrets from me, but he cared enough to tell me the truth and give up his revenge. If that isn’t motivation enough to make a sex tape and blackmail the shit out of Albrecht, I don’t know what is.

After all, I’ve never been a roses kind of girl.

Fuck Albrecht. He’ll never hurt anyone again.

Remington and I don’t need another life to have a future as Adam and Eve. We have this one, and I’m done wasting it.

“Remington.” I shake him gently. “Wake up.”

His eyes open slowly, and he blinks a few times under the light. “What’s wrong?”

I take his hand and pull him to his feet. “What’s wrong is that you’re a fucking quitter, and I don’t have the patience for it.”

Even sleepy, he cocks a brow. “Youdon’t have the patience for it?”

“No,” I snap. “I don’t.” I hand him his phone and ignore his scowl. I warned him I would answer his phone again every chance I got. “Where’s your room key?”

His eyes widen, and for a second, he looks scared as he removes the key from his pocket, holding it between us. “Is this the part where you stab me?”

This man.

I snatch the key from his fingers and nod. “Come to find out, I really love being toxic with you.” And naked, but I’m trying to keep our romance classy-ish.

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