Page 19 of Jude

Especially given Luisa’s and Dario’s threats that they’d hunt me down wherever I went.

Sheriff Martinez stepped into the room, his khaki uniform crisp, his gray eyes holding a blend of authority and fatherly concern.

‘Is this true? I’m in your guardianship?’ I asked the Sheriff.

‘It is. Incidentally Jude is my step son and we’re partnering on this one.’

‘What of Luisa and Dario? They -.’

‘We’re well aware that they threatened you. Which is why we can’t throw you into a detention center, so that you get deported just to end up in their control again,’ Jude growled with some fierceness.

‘Why?’

This time, the Sheriff responded.

‘Because the Compagni has its fingers in every county jail, lockup, detention center this side of the border.’

I shook my head, my mind whirling.

‘Where did you meet this Luisa?’ the Sheriff asked.

‘In a factory in Milan, she was all very friendly until we crossed the border, then she shoved a gun in my face and told me to play nice.’

‘That’s how they operate,’ the lawman said kindly. ‘If she or Dario tries to reach your cellular device again, you notify Jude or me immediately, Sofia. Don’t answer his text messages, and do not attempt to negotiate. I made some inquiries. It turns out the Sheriff’s department and the FBI are building a federal case targeting the Compagni family syndicate.’

‘Which is why keeping you safe is paramount,’ Jude drawled.

A wave of relief washed through my chest, so intense that tears spiked behind my closed lids.

For days, I had been running on pure adrenaline; the last few on fear and terror.

Now these two men, strangers to me, were choosing to shield me from the wolves who sought to destroy my life.

I was at a loss for words, only managing to mutter my heartfelt appreciation.

‘Thank you.’

‘No worries. We’re leaving the precinct now,’ Jude growled. ‘With me.’

I followed him to the foyer where he slung my threadbare backpack over his shoulder and took hold of his duffel handle and his guitar case.

‘I’m taking you to my mother and stepdad’s house for the weekend. We’ve an empty guest room. It’s also my mother’s birthday, so be advised it’ll be busy. We’ll rest, kick back a little, then I’ll get my lawyers to come up with a long-term plan for you.’

I stiffened, first at the thought of crashing his home, then at owing him money, my fists tightening in the pockets of my denim jacket.

‘No, signore, please. I can’t intrude on your family gathering. I’m a stranger. I can locate a women’s shelter downtown.’

‘The inner city shelters are packed to the rafters with people you do not want to associate with,’ Jude insisted, his tone leaving no room for debate. ‘You’re coming with me. It’s already settled.’

‘I’ve no money,’ I whispered, gazing down in shame at my scuffed shoes. ‘But I’m a hard worker. I’ll find a job and pay you back for the lawyers. Every single cent.’

Jude arched a thick brow, a gleam of amusement dancing in his eyes.

‘Sweetheart, I doubt that, given the price tag’s are a tad high, but you can give it a red-hot go.’

I blinked at the unusual phrasing, making sense of the unfamiliar idioms which tugged a small, unexpected smile at the corner of my lips.

He returned the expression, his rugged face softening for a fraction of a second before he gestured toward the exit.