Page 20 of Judge’s Obsession

CHAPTER 8

JUDGE

“What makes you think she’ll remember anything she hasn’t already told you?” Ruin mutters, pacing the office. “I know you think all she needs is time, but we’ve given her all the space we can.”

I rub my temple as I watch my Sergeant-at-Arms grow increasingly agitated. His reaction is understandable. He had a connection to a woman who was stolen away years ago. If my memory serves, it was his cousin. This is personal for him. It’s personal for us all.

“The worst thing we can do is scare her off,” Ghost says. “What if she runs?”

I stiffen, my head swinging toward him. “She won’t.”

The men give me wary looks. I know what they’re thinking. They don’t have to say it. Kaylie hasn’t been vetted. I can say she belongs to me all I want, but the truth is, she’s only staying put because Demon is out there waiting for his chance to steal her back. She hasn’t committed to our life.

If she belonged to anyone else, it wouldn’t even be an issue. I’d tell them we can’t trust her. And keeping her against her will is out of the question.

What they don’t understand is the connection I have with her. It’s a tether that pulls tighter with each passing day. I won’t let her go. I’d die first.

Ruin clears his throat. “With all due respect⁠—”

I slam my fist down on the table. “No. She’s mine. I won’t let anything happen to her. Not by the Saints and not by anyone in our ranks.”

The office door opens, and everyone falls silent. Kaylie’s eyes dart around the room, widening when she realizes she’s interrupted a meeting. She begins to retreat, but I call out to her.

“Kaylie, come here.”

She freezes. Fear. Hesitation. It’s written all over her face how much she doesn’t want to listen.

It’s a test, one I’m certain she’ll pass with flying colors. Over the last couple of days, she’s warmed up to me even more. She’s shared bits of her life, giving me just enough to hook me and leave me wanting more.

I wasn’t lying when I hinted that I wouldn’t let her just leave me.

Our eyes remain locked for several seconds. I can see the war in those blue eyes. She wants to run, but part of her wants to stay.

I know the exact moment she makes her choice. A breath later, she steps over the threshold and comes toward me.

The second she’s within reach, I pull her into my lap. She’s stiff at first, and I get the feeling she isn’t comfortable having so much attention trained on her. My fingers brush the hair from her neck, and I graze a kiss along her skin. She shivers, her breathing hitching.

“We need your help,” I purr against her neck.

“You d-do?”

I hum, my other hand sliding up her thigh. My fingers slip beneath the hem of her sundress, and she gasps. She leans into my chest, her hand wrapping around my forearm. She’s not pulling away. She wants this.

Someone clears their throat, and Kaylie stiffens, her eyes flying wide. I glower in that direction, unsurprised to find Ruin watching me closely. He’s the first to look away.

“Kaylie,” I say softly, “we need to know everything you can give us. You know what the Saints do to the women they hold. We’re trying to save them, but we can’t go in blind. National won’t approve a war without the proper information.”

She glances around the room before finding my gaze. Her lower lip disappears between her teeth. Then she nods.

“Okay. I’ll tell you.”

The longer we listen to Kaylie’s story, the more agitated my men become. It’s worse than even I expected. And one thing is certain. The Saints aren’t the only ones I want buried six feet under.

Kaylie’s father is on my kill list, too.

By the time she’s done, tears are streaking her cheeks. My brothers are avoiding her gaze, and I’m ready to start the war myself. If National refuses to approve it, I’m not sure any of us will be able to hold back.

I press a kiss to Kaylie’s head. “You did good, baby.”