Page 37 of Wanted

"Come in."

The door opens with a protesting creak.

"Brought breakfast."

As he's done every single morning since I decided to stay.

"Thank you. I told you it's not necessary, but I appreciate it."

"Are your concussion symptoms gone?"

Right. Because he overheard me tell the doctor I was still experiencing some headaches and sensitivity to light. Which is why I've continued to spend time in his guest bedroom. "They are now." I hold up the notebook but keep the drawing pointed at my chest. "Not even a twinge of head pain."

My memory still hasn't returned, but I don't tell him that. It would only freak him out to know I don't remember the reason I jumped out of a moving car. It might make him trust me even less.

He nods once. "Good. We're going to my mom's today."

"You should. You've been stuck with me for days. I'm sure your family misses you."

"I mean, you're coming with me."

I pause with a piece of toast halfway to my mouth. "I'm sorry?"

"You're coming to family dinner with me."

"No."

"What do you mean no?"

I tear off an aggressive bite and drop the toast back to the plate. The buttery mouthful sticks in my throat on the way down. "I meanno.It's a universal word."

"You are."

"Oh really?"

"Yes."

"Because you said so?"

"Yes."

My hackles raise at his determined tone. "I don't think so."

"Well, you can't stay here."

"Why not?"

His upper lip curls, but it's the way his hands draw into fists that grabs my attention. He's such a contrast to himself. The side he shows versus the side he tries to hide. "Because I don't leave known thieves alone with my things."

"That was a one-time thing!" I throw my hands up and scramble to my knees in the center of the bed. Ashe raises her head and looks between us as if she's deciding whether or not to be bothered by this argument. Her answer is clear by the way she rests her snout back on her paws.

Jude moves one heavy step closer to the bed. "Tough shit, baby."

My jaw snaps shut.

Did he just...

Did he just call mebaby?

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