Jude stayed silent. Not because he didn’t have thoughts, but because none of them knew how to form into words. Then Warren edged closer and Jude felt him everywhere. His scent, his sincerity, the quiet weight of him filling the air. It stole his breath.
“I think something’s going on with you.” Warren dipped lower, settling his hands firm on Jude’s hips, and Jude nearly folded at the touch. “And I want to know what it is. If I can help. Granted…” He huffed a dry laugh. “I probably should’ve asked before I got my dick out in the car.”
A startled snort escaped Jude before he ducked his head.
Warren crooked a finger beneath his chin, coaxing his gaze back up.
“WhatIwant to know, though, is why you’re sleeping in your car.”
Jude bit down on his lip, trying to contain the tremor running through him.
“You can trust me.” Warren whispered those words so softly they slid under Jude’s armour and something inside him loosened. The old strings he’d tied around himself, the knots of survival keeping him upright slipped free. He tipped forward, forehead finding Warren’s chest. Strong arms wrapped around him at once. No urgency. No demand. Just holding. As if that was Warren’s whole purpose. “Are you in danger?”
Jude said nothing.
A slow pass of Warren’s hand over the back of his neck kept him steady. “Let me help. Start with one thing.” He softened his lips at Jude’s ear, not quite a kiss but as intimate as one. “Something small. Does it have to do with someone you’ve seen recently?”
Jude couldn’t say it. Hecouldn’t. He’d spent so long burying it.
“Is it someone from here… or someone who followed you?” Warren kept his voice quiet, neutral, giving Jude the choice.
Jude shifted but didn’t pull away.
“Is it someone you know well?” Warren settled his hand at the nape of Jude’s neck, tracing slow, grounding arcs against his skin with his thumb. “Or someone you barely know at all?”
Jude swallowed, the movement tight and dry in his throat.
“I can keep you safe if you tell me.”
Jude pulled away to meet his eyes and for a moment Jude almost believed him.
Butalmostwouldn’t keep Callum away.
“No one can keep me safe.” Jude looked away.
“I can.”
Jude shook his head. “No. You can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s already happened.”
“What has?”
“Everything I did.”
The words landed heavier than he meant them to. Jude stepped out of Warren’s embrace, the cold rushing back in like a tide. He wrapped his arms around himself, the only ones he trusted, and backed away until the edge of the kitchen chair caught behind his knees. He sat.
“This will ruin everything for me.”
Warren didn’t move. Didn’t crowd him. “What will?”
“When he tells everyone.”
Warren nodded, nothing in his face giving away judgment. “Who?”
“My ex.”
