Page 112 of Axe-ing for Trouble
“Never,” he said. “Finn told me about it.”
“You seem to know what to do.”
He shrugged. “I’ve spent a lot of time in the woods. Usually in outposts and camps that are half as nice as this. But in the end, they’re all pretty much the same. It’s not a big deal.”
It felt like a big deal as I watched him get the stove going, unpack groceries, and make the bed with fresh sheets and a fluffy blanket.
For so long I’d been alone. When the shit hit the fan, I had no one but myself. But now, I had Jude and his family and, hopefully, the police on my side. That knowledge made this whole ordeal a little less terrifying.
Later that night, after feasting on Henri and Alice’s chocolate covered strawberries and cuddled up under several layers of blankets, my fear began to fade.
“Thank you,” I said, burying my face in his chest.
“I told you I’d do anything to protect you.” He tucked my hair behind my ear. “And I meant it. You are brave and passionate and infuriatingly reckless. But you’re mine. And no one hurts my girl.”
That single word hung in the air.Mine.
It felt like too much and too little at the same time. My pulse quickened. What did that admission mean? And was I ready for it?
Before I could spiral out, Jude kissed my forehead and pulled the blanket up. “Stop overthinking, Trouble. I’ll spare you the time. You are mine. We’ll get out of this, and afterward, I’ll do anything and everything you want.”
Eyes closed, I let the warmth of his body and his words comfort me, praying with everything I had that he was right.
Chapter36
Jude
Ileft Mila fast asleep in the cabin and went outside to take stock. This was an incredible spot. If only we weren’t hiding from murderous criminals, it would make for a cozy, romantic getaway.
I didn’t spend much time thinking about romance. Never had. But with Mila, I was beginning to crave it. Traveling with her, laughing and spending nights wrapped around one another. All of it.
But today was not the day for dreaming. Right now I had to stay focused and keep her safe.
I turned on my satphone and strolled to the end of the dock to ensure I got the best reception. Then I dialed Gus. Hopefully he would have good news.
“Jude. We’re working on it,” he said in lieu of a greeting.
“What’s happening?” It was chilly, and the sun was only barely above the horizon.
“Parker is digging in, making calls to state police and FBI contacts.”
I clenched my fist. Making calls was not going to cut it. It was the eleventh of October. If Mila was right, something big was going down in two days. We couldn’t risk it.
“The district attorney’s office has a team working on it too. They’re putting a case together to get some of the higher-ups.”
“Huxley?”
“Unsurprisingly, bringing down Huxley is going to take a lot of political juice, but warrants for some of the lower-level players should be issued later today, and they plan to move right away. Possibly tonight or tomorrow morning.”
Eyes closed, I pinched the bridge of my nose. This was progress, yes, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted every thug that had come to my house behind bars and every higher-up who’d ever even considered harming a hair on Mila’s head in jail.
“If they rush, this could all fall apart. You know that.”
I did. But Mila had served this up on a silver platter for them.
Once we’d ended the call, I picked up a big rock from the shore and threw it as far as I could, desperate to work through the frustration and fear building up inside me. I wanted to be better. Hell, I should be better.
At the sound of the splash, several birds flew out of one of the towering trees. Great, I was even pissing off the wildlife.
