Page 50 of Hope & Harmony

When Roni pulled back to study me again, like she was making sure I was okay, I put my game face on. And as I looked into those gorgeous jade eyes of hers I knew, whatever it took, I had to make this beautiful thing happen tonight.

For her.

I had to make it clear—to Roni, to her mom, to the whole damn world—that she was protected. That she was loved, deeply and forever.

That she was mine.

And, that she was an integral part of the Dirty family. So the whole world would know from this night on: you do not fucking mess with Veronica Webber.

Veronica Grayson, if I had anything to say about it.

“Um, Jude?”

Maggie tapped my shoulder, breaking the heated spell. I was about five seconds from shoving Roni back against the wall and dry-humping her against it. She smirked, because she knew.

Maggie cleared her throat. “A word?”

“Better be good,” I growled. When I tore my eyes from Roni to glance down at Maggie, the poor woman looked flushed, like she’d been running all over the place.

Maggie wasn’t the type to break a sweat, considering she usually had all her shit under control. I almost felt guilty.

I kissed Roni’s forehead and released her. “I’ll be back, darlin’.”

“Good.” She smiled at me, her dazzling, sexy smile, and I forced myself to follow Maggie along the corridor, into a private corner.

“Good news,” she told me, as soon as we were out of earshot. “Talia found the signs. She’s?—”

“What’s this I hear about you calling it off?” Talia demanded from somewhere behind me. I felt a hand grip my bicep and nails dig in.

I glanced down into the face of a very annoyed-with-me blonde.

“I’m not?—”

“You arenotcalling this off,” she informed me. “This is forRoni.”

“I realize. So, let’s?—”

“She’d walk over broken glass for you, Jude Grayson. Barefoot. You don’t back out on Roni.Ever.I won’t have it.”

I let her give me shit. Actually, I smiled. Roni had been fierce in protecting this girl. Nice to see it was coming back around.

When I was sure she was done, I told her, “Wouldn’t dream of it, darlin’.”

“Hmm.” Talia frowned. “Well, then let’s make this happen.” She nodded at Maggie and turned on her heel. As she was walking away, she tossed back, “Oh, by the way. Happy birthday.”

“Thank you.”

I watched her, amused, as she strode over to Roni, and Roni smiled at whatever Talia said.

That smile on Roni’s face made my insides warm. I fucking lived for it.

I was nothing but melted honey, gooey and sweet, in the woman’s hands.

I wondered if she really knew how bad it was.

As the controlled chaos around me built, just before Dirty finally took the stage, I stood back to absorb it all, watching my friends and colleagues do their thing. Guys came and went, checking in with me, while my eyes remained locked on Roni.

Then I watched her lead her mom up the corridor to the stairs that would take them directly backstage and then to the side of the stage, where they’d watch the show.

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