"Kimber," he says, that knowing tone returning to his voice again. "I got that text three days before he died. Jonah applied to come here with a longtime member. We denied him due to a prior, recent DV issue."
"So privacy isn't important to you, I see," I growl.
"The safety of my friends is important though," Jude says, looking away from me. We've kept our voices low, and Rich and Morgan are none the wiser as they take the last few things out of the car. "Jonah wasn’t a close friend, but we knew some of the same people. They learned your name is Brynne, so I wonder why he calls you Kimber. I would hope ifBrynnehad to kill someone like Jonah, it was because she chose to not let him hurt her. That the DV case is justified for self preservation and not because Brynne has a bloody side."
His words hang in the air, and I can almost hear the unspoken question there. Am I dangerous for Rich, or was it a one time instance?
I swallow, refusing to look at him when I respond. "Brynne did what she had to protect herself."
"I see." Jude doesn't say anything else, clapping his hands together when the two of them head back towards us empty handed. He says something to them as he walks off, but I'm not listening to that.
What kind of connections does Jude have?
He knows too much without knowing me at all. Watching the three of them, unease creeps up my neck. If he told Rich out of a misguided sense of loyalty, would I forever be the bad guy? Would Rich no longer trust me because I took someone's life before he had the chance to take mine?
Jonah was huge. Over six feet, he went to the gym, had an inflated ego, and he was heavy handed. I met him by chanceat another club in Denver, and later learned he was briefly involved with Emilio's partner Laci.
I brought him to Sins once. One time. I don't think Emilio ever forgave me for that mistake. I found out all by myself that he had a real reason to detest Jonah.
"Kim?"
Turning, I find Rich watching me with careful eyes, spinning the key ring on his finger. I clear my throat before he can ask what's up. "I'm good. Just tired from earlier."
He grins, oblivious to the turmoil in my head. As we head back to the car I try to see if Jude is watching us.
He's talking to the employee Morgan, their backs to us. Even as we get back into the car and head for our cabin, he doesn't turn to look at us. I don't know what Jude expects to happen now that he's all but guessed my secret. I grip Rich's hand as we drive. It’s easy to forget how quickly the narrative of my story can change, and all it takes is someone sharing details before I muster up the courage to tell Rich. If I’m not careful, he might learn the truth: in this story, I’m the villain.
