Page 142 of Jude

Her fingers tapped a restless rhythm on her thigh, and she bit her lip before she turned away, her shoulders drooping.

She probably realized her cleaning wages wouldn’t cover the down payment.

The moment she cleared the corner, I threw my truck into drive and rolled onto the lot.

I spent ten minutes negotiating with a greasy salesperson in a polyester tie, paying cash for the same Honda.

I got him to add a comprehensive mechanical overhaul done at their garage.

I included insurance and arranged shipment with a transport crew my production team used.

Two days later, a flatbed dropped the Civic right outside the boarding house entrance.

I parked sixty yards down the street, eyes on the delivery driver as he asked for her at the front desk.

Minutes later, my heart slammed as Sofia stepped onto the sidewalk.

The deliveryman handed her the keys, spinning an elaborate yarn.

One about a benefactor who spotted her at the dealership and worked with the car lot owner to donate the vehicle to her, citing the vulnerability of her traveling to work late at night.

Through my windshield, I observed suspicion tightening her features.

She examined the key fob, then her gaze scanned the street, searching for the catch.

Tucked in an alley, she never saw me.

The delivery man kept prattling on to convince her.

I’d paid the man more than enough to ensure she never said no.

His persuasion worked, as her desire for reliable transportation won out.

She threw up her hands in surrender.

The delivery guy tipped his hat to her and left.

She walked around the vehicle, shaking her head in disbelief, then opened the driver’s side door and slid inside.

After sitting behind the steering wheel for a bit, she got out, locked up, and went back into the shelter.

She emerged half an hour later, showered and changed, and eased into the car, heading out.

I followed at a discreet distance as she took her first drive to a suburban grocery outlet, keeping three cars between us to avoid detection.

When she got out of the grocery store and was loading her bags into her trunk, she glanced and saw me in my car across the parking lot.

Slamming the luggage compartment, she came charging at me.

I sighed, stepping out of my ride.

She came right up to me and poked a finger in my chest.

‘Bodhi Judah Valenti, leave me the fuck alone.’

My lips twisted even as my heart lurched.

‘Never.’