Page 8 of Prodigal Son

He scrubbed a hand down his face and willed himself to be calm.Think of Texas, think of home, think of Chelle, and TJ, that robot kid Ghost has in Knoxville, anything.He had to think of the things that he felt in control of.

Devin said, “Sure I can’t interest you in that drink?”

Fox sighed, breath shaking in his throat. His voice came out a croak. “Yeah. Sure.”

He sank down on the new, department-store-smelling sofa and listened to Devin move around the kitchen, dropping ice into a glass, pulling a bottle off a shelf. Pop of the cork, glug of the whiskey pouring. Soft footfalls across the carpet, just to his right, and Devin’s hand appeared in his line of sight, whiskey on the rocks held out in offering. The glass was bell-shaped and expensive-looking.

Fox took it with a nod of thanks and sipped it slowly, holding the burn in his mouth a moment.

Devin went to sit on the matching sofa opposite the coffee table from him, sprawled back, at ease and comfortable. “What’s all this about, kid?”

Fox took another sip, rolled his eyes, and flopped back against the back of the couch. “Can we not do this? You know what it’s about. Pseudonym has you on tape, and they hired a PI to track you down. They hired Eden to track you down.”

It took him a moment, sucking at the inside of his cheek, and then his silver brows shot up. “Wait.YourEden?”

“She’s notmine…” Fox grumbled. “But, yeah, that one.”

Devin barked a laugh. He leaned forward and braced his elbows on his knees, chin cupped in his hands, grinning. “Shit. What do you mean ‘not yours’? Did you fuck that up?”

“Gee, I wonder why I might not be able to stay in a relationship,Dad.”

“Hey, I didn’t raise you. I don’t have any control there.”

“So long as we’re clear on that.”

“What happened?”

“What happened was Eden quit the government and started freelancing, and she’s giving me a day or so to get the truth out of you before she turns your location over to the cops.”

“She wouldn’t do that. She always liked me.”

He felt a prickling at the back of his neck. Fuck this whole scenario. “What did you steal?” he said, trying to keep his voice level.

Devin shrugged and sat back again. “Why doesn’t she come ask me herself? I wouldn’t mind talking to her for a little bit.”

“Staring at her, you mean, you old fucker.”

“That’s not respectful.”

“Neither are you. Now.” He held up an open hand. “You’ve got five seconds to say something true.”

“Aw, come on, Charlie…”

“One.” He pulled his pinky in.

“Why do you wanna be this way?”

“Two.” Ring finger.

“You know I wouldn’t–”

“Three.” He pulled in his forefinger, leaving the middle one extended.

“Well fuck you, too, sonny boy.”

“What did you steal?”

“I–”

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