Page 224 of Bridesmaid By Chance
I probably should, but I’m not.
I’m actually fucking gutted.
I can’t…fuck, I can’t even think?—
The front door opens, and I spin around from where I’m pacing in the living room to see Jude walk through. Every nerve in my body seizes and a spike of adrenaline shoots up my spine.
Fuck.
But he’s not alone—Haisley and Sloane walk in behind him.
What the hell is going on?
“Told you I’d be back,” Sloane says casually as she walks up to me, places her hand on my chest, and then stands on her toes to kiss me on the cheek.
Jesus, what is she doing? Trying to get me killed?
“It’s okay,” she says. “He’s not here to hurt you.”
So she thinks.
Jude looks between the two of us. I can see him trying to understand, attempting to find approval. I feel like I should say something to him, but I don’t quite know what to say. Do I apologize? Do I tell him I love her? Do I ask him what’s going on?
“Can I have a second with Hudson?” Jude says.
Okay, so he does plan on harming me. That’s fine. I deserve it.
Sloane points at Jude and says, “Be nice.”
Then she and Haisley go off to the kitchen, where they pretend to get drinks, even though I know they’re trying to listen in.
Jude closes the space between us, and I remain standing as I wait for his next move.
He places his hands in his pockets and looks me in the eyes. “She told me you love her. Is that true?”
Keeping my gaze set on his: “That’s true.”
“That the marriage was her idea?”
“That’s also true.”
“That you are protective and take care of her.”
“Yes,” I answer.
“And that you plan on staying married to her?”
I swallow and nod. “That’s what I want.”
His tongue presses into the side of his cheek as he slowly nods. “She’s a part of my heart, my soul. I can’t have anything happen to her.”
“You have my word that I would never let something happen to her. Ever.”
He nods again. “Good answer.” He then stretches his hand out to me, and I take it. He pulls me in close and whispers, “Hurt her and I hurt you, understood?”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” I answer, surprised by this conversation. What the hell did Sloane do?
“Good.” He pulls away just enough to look me in the eyes. “I’m sorry about the way I treated you, threatening our business relationship like that. It was wrong.”
