“Caution is good,” Duncan said. “Don’t let anyone tell you differently. As long as it’s not fear that keeps you from ever tackling things.”
She’d had a lot of fear in her life, but that had been more about what would result if she didn’t learn fast enough. Without that pressure, her caution wasn’t completely based in fear. Mainly her normal reluctance to tackle new things.
“I hope you’re better with a gun than I was,” Elizabeth said with a laugh. “I think I was Jude’s worst student ever.”
“I’d like to say you are wrong,” Jude said. “But sadly, you are quite correct.”
“I might take that title,” Angela said.
“You haven’t practiced in a while, Liz.” Duncan glanced at his wife. “Maybe you should spend some time refreshing while the girls are taking lessons.”
“I could do that,” she replied with a smile. “It will give me something to do while you’re gone.”
“You’re leaving?” Angela asked, the question slipping out before she realized what she was saying.
“Next week, yes. I need to go to New York and then Miami for some meetings.”
“Do you have bodyguards when you travel?”
Duncan nodded, then Jude said, “He travels with a team of four. He is well protected.”
“I lost my best bodyguard when I promoted you, though.”
Jude chuckled. “You didn’t get rid of me completely.”
“True. You have my back when it’s most vulnerable.”
“What do you mean by that?” Angela asked.
“I take Jude with me when I go to areas where the risk is higher. I trust him implicitly to keep me safe.”
Angela’s stomach clenched at the thought of Jude putting his life on the line to protect Duncan.
“But the team you have guarding me right now is great. I trust them without question.”
“How do you trust them?” Angela asked. “After what happened to me and Annie, how do you trust them?”
“The main reason I trustthemis that I trustJude.He has done due diligence in vetting each member of our staff. Whether they are a driver, a gardener, or on the security team.”
When Angela looked over at Jude, she saw he was focused on his cinnamon roll.
Duncan chuckled. “Jude doesn’t like it when people toot his horn, but someone has to do it as he never will.”
It made Angela feel good that her heart had landed on a trustworthy man. An honorable man. At least it proved that she had the ability to discern whether a man was good or bad. Even if he would only ever be her friend.
"Jude has certainly earned our trust over the years," Elizabeth said, her warm gaze settling on him. "He's proven himself time and again."
Jude shifted in his seat, clearly not enjoying being the topic of conversation. "It's just my job."
"It's more than that," Duncan said firmly. "And you know it."
Angela watched as Jude's jaw tightened slightly, a flush of color rising on his neck. She found his humility endearing—another quality that made him different from the men she'd grown up around. Jim and Craig had boasted abouteven the smallest accomplishments, demanding recognition for everything they did.
"Speaking of your job," Duncan continued, mercifully changing the subject, "how is the plan coming for the new security system at the girls' house?"
"Garrett and I have been exchanging ideas," Jude replied, visibly relieved by the shift in focus. "I think we've landed on something that will provide maximum security without making it feel like a fortress."
"That's important," Elizabeth nodded. "It should feel like a home, not a prison."
