Page 29 of Prodigal Son

“Yep,” he agreed, and moved past her to get to the coffee maker. A plate of more scones waited there, the cling film tugged to one side to reveal an assortment of iced lemon, blueberry, raspberry, and chocolate. The idea of anything sweet made his stomach turn, so he rooted around in the cabinets until he found half a loaf of bread and a knife to cut it with. “You ladies on your way somewhere this morning? Or do you still just like to get a jump on things?”

When he twisted to glance over his shoulder, he saw Eden’s spine stiffen. She didn’t like the reminder that he’d known her once, he figured. Maybe she didn’t like the idea ofstill– that there had ever been abeforefor them.

“I have a meeting,” she said, and then put her teacup down and got to her feet.

“A meeting?” His hand tightened on the knife and he set it on the counter. “Wait, what? We’ve got–”

“It won’t take long,” she said, shrugging into her jacket. “And it pertains to the murder.” She spared Devin a look. “No offense.”

“Charlie,” Devin said, “I think your girl might actually try to kill me today.”

“Not his girl,” Eden said, just as Fox said, “Not my girl.”

They shared a startled glance.

Fox shook his head and turned around so he could face her fully. “No, hold on. You had to stay here last night in case someone tried to kill you, yeah? And now you’re just going to waltz out the front door? No. That’s not happening.”

She looked at him, open-mouthed, a disbelieving sound huffing out between her lips. “Are youtelling me what to do?”

Axelle chuckled and then put a hand over her mouth, trying to hide her smile. “Oh shit.”

“Are you,” Eden continued, voice rising, “actually trying to pull some macho biker club bullshit on me? Because let me tell you, Charlie Fox, I don’t answer to this damn club, or to you.”

“Oh my God,” Axelle said, and turned her back to them, shoulders shaking.

At another time, Fox might have joined her in laughing, because Eden like this? It washilarious.

But another part of him was…disturbed to see her let her emotions get the best of her like this. And another, even more insistent part of him knew that letting her go off on her own was a royally stupid idea.

He took a deep breath and kept his voice even. “Who are you going to meet?”

She opened her mouth –“None of your damn business,”she wanted to say, no doubt – and then closed it. Took a deep breath of her own. “Simon Cavendish,” she said on a sigh.

“As in Cavendish Security?”

“Yeah.”

Fox whistled. “What does he want?”

“Pseudonym hired them, and he wants to compare notes.”

“And you’re going to?”

“No, obviously not.” She made a face. “Have a little more faith than that.”

“I don’t have to have faith. I can make sure you don’t say anything because I’m going with you.”

“Oh, like fuck.”

“You’re not allowed to leave here without a security detail. You can have me, or we can see which one of Phillip’s charming lackies can come along.”

“I’ll take the lackies, thanks.”

“Too bad. I’m going.”

A muscle flexed in her jaw. “You look like you’re about to heave all over your boots. You’re in no shape to go anywhere.”

“Not until I’ve had some toast,” he agreed, turning back to the counter. Over his shoulder: “Dad, don’t let them walk out that door.”

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