Page 86 of Jude

‘I’m glad you’re OK, Sofia,’ he whispered, his voice hoarse with fervent emotion.

‘All because of you and the rest of the Six Sinners stepped up. Thank you.’

‘Again with the gratitude woman. I couldn’t help it, it was instinctive because nobody touches what’s mine,’ he rasped.

He lifted my hand, pressing a warm, lingering kiss on my knuckles, making my skin tingle.

I reached out, my fingers trembling as I once more glided my hand over the rough stubble of his jawline.

Loving how this dangerous man anchored me in an overwhelming, beautiful sense of security. I was safe.

No matter what storm was coming for us, with him, I’d always feel protected.

Chapter 18

SOFIA

The ring of Jude’s phone shattered the kitchen’s quiet just as I wiped down the marble counter the following day.

He answered, lifting the device to his ear.

‘Kian,’ Jude rasped. ‘Give it to me straight. Did the cops track the gunman?’

I froze, the damp cloth squeezing tight in my palm.

I stepped closer to the island when Jude tapped the audio to speaker.

‘Patinski’s department bagged the operation, Judah,’ Kian growled. ‘They tailed his sedan to a rundown motor lodge outside Nashville. Local units breached the room an hour ago. They found Dario with three kilos of uncut narcotics and five young women locked in the bathroom. Luisa and Marcos were counting cash bundles. They had phones confirming their link to the Compagni Syndicate. They’re going away for twenty years minimum.’

I let out an unexpected, ragged gasp.

The kitchen counter tilted as it hit me; the mobsters who’d chased me across state lines were sitting behind steel bars.

Jude dropped his phone, rounded the stone island in two massive strides, and hauled me to him.

He gripped me, his tattooed arms wrapped around my shoulders, pulling my smaller form to his ribs.

I shook with the sudden release of weeks of terror.

‘It’s over,’ he muttered into my hair, his chest vibrating under my cheek. ‘The monsters are locked in a cage. You’re safe now. Nobody’s going to touch you again.’

I clung to his shirt, inhaling his scent of cedar wood and musk, more shielded, sheltered, and secure than I had ever been in my life.

I was also falling deeply in love with this brooding, beautiful man.

I rose to my tiptoes, intending to press my lips to his jawline in gratitude.

Jude shifted.

His head turned.

A sudden, ragged groan rumbled in his throat, as if he was losing his leash.

His hand slid to the back of my neck, his fingers tangling into my long hair to tilt my head back, pinning me in place.

He came down on my mouth in a bruising, passionate kiss.

I shuddered at how possessive, demanding, and raw it was.