Page 71 of Jude

It was clear Abby was a complication I needed to get rid of, rather than the pristine trophy woman I spent over a decade dreaming about.

It jolted me to realize how blind I’d been to the toxicity hidden behind her sophisticated mask.

For years, I had built her up into some ideal woman, yet watching her attack Sofia proved she didn’t possess a fraction of the poise my wife showed under fire.

I cut the power to the mixing board and snatched my keys off the counter.

‘I’m fixing this,’ I growled, my chest burning with quiet anger.

‘About time,’ Bishop muttered.

‘Go protect your woman, brother,’ Levi called after me.

‘Count on it,’ I growled, heading for the door with my mind set.

Moments later, I was behind the wheel of my truck, tearing out toward Brentwood.

The neighborhood slid past my windows in a blur of multi-million-dollar estates, manicured lawns, and exclusive gated entries, but I was blind to the affluence.

My wife’s face burned in my mind.

She did not deserve a single word of Abby’s venomous put-down.

Sofia had been through hell, and she was under my protection.

I jammed my Escalade into park at the curb outside the luxury townhouse her father paid for.

I hit the pavement, taking the marble steps two at a time to her front door and slamming my fist on the wood three times.

Abby pulled the door open, a smug smile hitting her face.

Her blue eyes lit up in immediate triumph the second she saw me.

She wore a slinky tan dress that cut low across her chest, the fabric clinging to her frame, showing off her slender waist and long legs.

Her golden hair fell in neat waves around her shoulders.

Once, that face had a hold on me.

I used to drown in her presence, blinded by the sight of her.

Now, she brought a cold shudder of disgust to my gut.

The fake charm and calculated warmth turned my stomach, killing the last shred of whatever I used to feel.

‘Judah. I knew you’d come when you realized what a mistake you’re making with that -.’

‘Shut your mouth, Abby,’ I growled. ‘You don’t get to say another word. How dare you? You went to my house and insulted my wife.’

Her face drained of color.

‘Your wife?’ Abby muttered, her mask slipping as she stepped out onto the threshold, hands waving in denial. ‘Are you serious? You married her? I thought she made it up.’

‘She didn’t,’ I gritted out. ‘If you set a fuckin’ foot on my property or approach Sofia again, my legal team will slap a restraining order on you so fast, your head will spin. Stay away from us.’

‘You didn’t tell me about another woman!’ Abby shrieked, her voice cracking as her composure broke. ‘I texted you thinking we had a future, and all this time you were hiding some charity case in your house? You lied to me, Jude! You owe me an answer!’

‘I don’t owe you shit, Abby. What we had ended years ago,’ I growled. ‘I was foolish enough to think about giving us a shot a few months back. That’s dead now. You showed your real colors. Stay away from Sofia and me, or you’ll deal with lawyers who will tear you apart. Don’t text me. Don’t come near me or my house.’