“You didn’t see your mom again?” Angela asked. “Was she like Jill?”
“No, she’s not like Jill at all. While my dad had primary custody because they both felt I’d be better off living with him, she insisted on having visitation. She always made sure she saw me at least once a week when we lived in New York. I would also stay with her on some weekends.”
“And do you see her much now?”
“Not much other than video calls or if I happen to be in New York with Duncan. However, we do talk once a week.”
Angela knew the purpose of their time together that day was to train her on guns. But they had very little time with just each other, so she wanted to take advantage of it. He knew so much about her that it only seemed fair—at least in her mind—that she know more about him.
“Did she remarry?”
“Yes, and she had two more kids.”
“You’re a big brother?” For some reason, that fit in well with the protective air he gave off.
“Uh…” His brow furrowed. “Yes?”
“Do you hang out with your siblings much?”
“Pretty much not at all. They’re almost twenty years younger than me.”
“Really?”
“Yes. My mom was young when she had me—like nineteen years old—and after she left, she decided she wanted to just live her life without any responsibilities beyond me. It took her until she was nearly forty to settle down and get married again. Pretty much right away, she had her son, and a year after, she had her daughter.”
“Do you wish you could see them more?”
Jude shrugged. “To be honest, I’ve never really thought of them as my brother and sister.”
“Kind of like how I don’t really think of Julian, Benji, and Annie as my brothers and sister?”
Jude gazed at her for a long moment, then nodded. “Though I hope that you will eventually have a good relationship with each of them.”
There were times when Angela couldn’t imagine being as close to them as she was to Kiara. But she also knew that she needed to give it time and keep an open mind about the relationships they could have.
Jude turned his attention back to his gun, and Angela watched as he reloaded it, fascinated by the efficient economy of his movements. Everything about the way he handled the weapon spoke of years of training and experience. It was both impressive and slightly intimidating.
"You make that look so easy," she said.
“I can’t even begin to hazard a guess as to how many times I’ve done it.”
“Have you ever had to shoot someone?”
Jude turned to face the target. “No. I’ve had to pull my gun a few times. That was enough to get people to back off. My dad had more experience with that as a cop.”
“I’m not sure I could shoot someone,” Angela confessed.
Jude shifted to look at her. “If you’re going to pick up a gun, you have to be prepared to use it.”
“But I don’twantto pick up a gun.”
Jude’s blue eyes stared intently at her, and Angela struggled to hold his gaze. She felt like she was letting him down by admitting that.
“I think most people don’t want to have to pick up a gun because it means a situation is dire. But that is precisely why you need to practice and become comfortable with a weapon in your hand.” His gaze hardened briefly. “If someone were to threaten Kiara, wouldn’t you want to have the ability to protect her?”
“Of course. I would want to be able to protect her and anyone else I care about.”
It was the only reason she’d shown up, but she still didn’t have to like it. On this particular point, she and Jude would have to differ.
