Page 26 of Tempting Eden

Takeoff wasn’t nearly as bad this time since I knew what to expect. My panic didn’t resurface, and I was able to enjoy the flight. Eden had once again donned her earbuds and begun working, likely sorting through the signed contracts that were being returned in fits and starts.

I gawked out the window again. When we took off, the sun glinted off the ocean so brightly it was almost unbearable to watch. I may have singed my retinas focusing on the scene, stamping it into my memory so I could sketch it at my first opportunity.

The flight seemed somehow shorter on the return trip, and Tom landed our plane smoothly back in Birmingham. A car waited for us.

Eden struck out ahead of me, hurrying toward the black sedan. Even in flats, her hips swayed as she went, a tantalizing pendulum. The driver took her bags and then motioned for me to hand him mine.

She plopped into the backseat and took out her phone, immediately engrossed. There was no talking to her at this point. She was intent on pretending I, and last night, didn’t exist.

We left the airport and hit I-20 when her phone rang. She scooted her sunglasses on top of her head and frowned at the screen.

“What?” I asked.

She glanced at the screen and then at me. “Nothing.” She swiped the screen to answer it. “Rosa?”

Her expression shifted from questioning to furious in moments. “He what? No, he can’t! Keep her inside. I’m coming home right now.” She looked into the rearview mirror. “Step on it. Now!”

The driver picked up speed, racing past the industrial furnaces and train tracks, past downtown, and up Red Mountain, the ridge of Appalachian foothills that hemmed in downtown Birmingham to the south.

“No, Rosa, no. Mason knows. He knows. Shit! He can’t do this. Where is Adele now? Just keep her preoccupied. And Mother’s gone? Thank God. Two minutes and I’m there. Don’t let him in.”

She hung up and threw the phone into her bag. Her hands were shaking.

I wanted to ask, to see if I could help. But her demeanor told me that now was not the time to ask her anything. The car sped up a long driveway surrounded by immaculate lawns and gardens. It ended in front of a three story stone home. It was immense, one of the largest clearly visible from downtown Birmingham. A white Mercedes was parked out front, and a man sat on the steps, leaning back on his elbows and sunning himself like he was at the beach. He had thinning blond hair and a deep tan.

As soon as the car stopped, Eden tore out and ran to the man. I followed, unsure of what was going on, but very sure that nothing would happen to Eden on my watch.

“Mason, you can’t fucking come here. You know that!”

“I just wanted to see her. She’s half mine, you know.” Mason stood, revealing a lanky frame underneath his dirty t-shirt and jeans.

“You’veneverwanted to see her.”

He slid his gaze up and down Eden’s body in an obvious manner. “It sure is nice to see you again, Edie.”

She crossed her arms across her chest. I took a step closer, hovering behind her and sizing up Mason. I knew I could drop him easily. I already wanted to, just from the way he spoke to Eden.

He flicked a glance at me. “Who’s your boy? Doesn’t seem like the company that the grand old Rochesters usually keep.”

I felt my spine tense at his choice of words. “Boy” was only one half-step up from the infamous word favored by white supremacists the nation over. Mason used it with a sneer and an air of superiority that I wanted to beat out of him. Anger roiled inside me, but I tamped it down. Not here. Not now. Not until he made the wrong move. And then, all bets were off.

“He works for me. You need to fucking leave, Mason.”

Mason smirked. “Makes sense. Anyway, I didn’t get a check last month, Edie, and you know how that upsets me.” He reached out to touch her face, but she ducked away.

I took another step, now standing right next to her. I balled my fists at my sides, and I waited. If he tried to touch her again, I would lay him out.

“Leave.” Eden’s voice shook.

He gave a shit-eating grin. “You know I can’t do that, Edie. I have to pay rent and buy groceries. How am I supposed to live? I thought we had a deal. If we don’t, just say so, and we can take this whole song and dance to court.”

Eden made a choked noise. “Don’t.”

“You know what you have to do then, Edie. By Tuesday, or I’ll be back when I know your mom’s home. Or maybe I’ll show up at Adele’s school. How would you like that? Just show up and say hi?”

“You heard her. Leave.” I met his eyes. They were beady, calculating.

“Or what? You gonna get me, attack dog?”

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