Page 38 of Jude

‘I need some air,’ I growled.

I stood up, slammed the screen door behind me, and paced across the gravel courtyard under the swaying valley oaks.

What a total freakin’ train wreck.

How was I supposed to take on a wife right now?

This was beyond inconvenient.

I had zero time for a spouse, no mental bandwidth, and I sure as hell never planned to get hitched.

I liked planning.

Hell, I plotted every single pivot of my life down to the millimeter.

I was also a textbook introvert who valued my solitude as my religion.

The mere thought of some stranger invading my personal space, moving her shit into my house, and messing with my routine made my skin crawl.

Then there was the Abby situationship.

I tilted my chin back, peering up into the clear blue morning, demanding an answer from the heavens.

None came.

The sky didn’t drop a road map on how to proceed, and no booming voice descended from the clouds to bail me out.

It was then that an unshakable calm settled in my chest.

I took a deep breath of the crisp valley air as my frustration started to level out.

When I walked out of jail years ago, I made a non-negotiable vow: always pursue peace, no matter the cost.

Sofia was in Dario’s crosshairs, and this temporary marriage was probably the only shield sufficient to keep her protected.

If safeguarding an innocent woman meant sacrificing my privacy for a little while, then I just had to suck it up and play the hand I was being dealt.

I turned on my heel, strode back into the kitchen, and came to a stop as three sets of eyes swiveled to me.

‘OK. I’ll do it.’

I prowled toward Sofia, staring down at her.

‘I’m not offering you romance; this is purely a deal, a professional agreement.’

Sofia went still, silenced by my stark, unyielding approach.

She swallowed hard, her gaze dropping to her hands on the table, and gave a slow, reluctant nod.

‘A marriage of inconvenience, I get it. Nevertheless, if that’s what needs to happen, then let it be so. However, when I can, I’ll work and pay you back for everything, signore.’

I rubbed the back of my neck as I studied her, then at my parents, the load of the preposterous responsibility settling on my shoulders.

‘For the love of heaven, call me Jude and let’s get on with it,’ I gritted. ‘We’ll get married. Legally. You’ll move to Nashville with me. I’ll try to secure you an admin role at The Sanctuary to keep you busy and earning money. I’ll provide all you’ll need, clothes, a safe home, and protection, but it’s a temporary arrangement. Clear? We maintain our distance. I protect you, you get your life back. Once you’re out of the weeds, we part ways. Understood?’

Sofia glanced up at me, her dark eyes steady as she weighed the pros and cons of the bargain.

She wasn’t looking for a fairytale, and she didn’t expect a rough, tattooed musician to love her.