Page 10 of Judas

He stopped her cold and turned her gently to face him, “You just said that like it’s nothing special. Eliza, that’s truly something to be proud of. You are doing something that makes the world a better place. You’re saving lives. You should own that. Say it with pride.”

She blushed, not at all used to having her work praised, “I guess I’m used to downplaying it. It is pretty cool. My dad hates it. Thinks it’s a waste of time so I guess that’s why I don’t lead with that. Texas isn’t known for loving criminal defense issues.” She shrugged her shoulders again as if this foregone conclusion was just the way it was.

He shook his head, “No, that’s bullshit. What you do is amazing. I’m really proud to know you.”

Eliza’s heart soared with pride. She knew that her job was important but it was not often she heard it, especially lately. Just looking at him, she knew he was being honest and that truly did things to her that she could not fully comprehend in the moment. All she knew was that right now she wanted to kiss him. She had to, needed to.

She reached for him, placing her hands on either side of his face. He moaned and leaned into her touch, setting her on fire. She lifted herself onto tiptoes, pulling him to her. Their lips nearly colliding…

A loud thud startled them back to reality. They quickly moved as far away from one another as possible while waiting to see who’d invaded their moment.

Chet rounded the corner swiftly, looking concerned. Was Paul suspicious of where the two have disappeared to? Was Chet here to warn them?

Relief washed over his face as he spotted them, “Eliza, I know you’re probably busy, but I wanted to let you know that your dad has had a few drinks and I- uh... You know how it is… I just wanted to let you know before things get too out of hand…”

Eliza didn't even need to ask. She knew exactly what Chet’s concern was. Her father was about to make an absolute fool of himself and ruin everything he was trying to build before he even got it started. Eliza knew this scene well as she'd lived it and cleaned it up too many times to count. She threw back the last gulp of her champagne and walked back into the gala resigned to her duties as Paul Arthur’s only child.

Judas watched as she lost all the shine she’d had with him all night. Her shoulders dropped. The blood faded from her cheeks. It was devastating to see her shoved dutifully into the role of fixer for a man that had little if any decency to offer the world. Still, Judas followed behind her knowing he would be there for her the entire way, no questions asked.

As they re-entered the room they escaped from earlier, Eliza saw him immediately. Thankfully, the crowd was busy listening to a speaker from their team so it still appeared to be an isolated incident, but Paul was belligerently drunk and appeared to be hitting on the same poor intern he screamed at just yesterday.

Honestly, hitting on was too kind of a term. He was pawing at her. Placing his hands on her in ways that made it clear what his intentions were. He was bordering on sexual assault and committing human resources violations that could easily get him sued if the girl was willing to fight him on it.

Eliza hated him at this very moment. She wanted to yell and scream and cause a scene so everyone could see him for what he really was. She wanted to end his whole facade right now, but she knew she wouldn’t as the tears threatened to spill from her eyes as she came to terms with this truth. No matter how terrible he was, he was her father. He was the only parent she had left and he gave her everything he could after her mother died. She owed him this, no matter how crushing it was.

Eyes now red and brimming with unshed tears, Eliza turned to Judas. She couldn't say anything because if she did she wasafraid her emotions would betray her. She hated to cry in front of anyone and she was certain crying in front of him, strong and kind Judas, would be something she would never forgive herself for allowing to happen So, instead, she just looked at him, while trying her best to regain composure, but he didn’t need her to do anything.

Judas took her hand saying, “I’m here and I’ll do whatever you need.”

Chapter six

It took some heavy persuasion to get Paul to leave his own party, but the fraudulent promise of an after party dinner consisting of the donors with the biggest wallets did the trick.

Juda, behind the wheel, watched Paul in the backseat smiling like he’d already won the damn election. He showed no signs of understanding that he’d almost cost himself the whole race in an instant. If his pious and conservative donors had seen him lewdly groping at a young staff member, they would’ve dropped him without hesitation. Not because they hadn't done the same kinds of things all through their own lives, but because his actions did not fit the kind of image they wanted their party to portray in public. He’d become a liability.

Judas turned his gaze to Eliza sitting next to her father. Her eyes were vacant and dull. She looked like a victim trapped in her own head and he just wanted to stop the vehicle to go to her. He wanted to take her in his arms and hold her until everything was okay again. He wanted all the things that he knew should be off limits. Seeing her powerful and secure made Judas lust forher, but seeing her broken makes him want to make her his. It made him want to be the one that she could depend on when she felt like she had no one. He wanted to be her someone.

‘Damn it, Yesh,’he thought to himself. ‘All these years of being utterly alone and now you make me want a woman that I will have to leave or watch age and die without me. Why the fuck would you do this to me? Was this a gift after all?’

Heaving a heavy sigh full of contempt, Judas turned his attention back to the road but could hear Eliza placating her father from the backseat.

“Dad, stop,” she said.

“Oh, calm down, Betsy. It’s all in good fun,” Paul slurs back at her.

Looking back in the mirror Judas saw the look of discomfort on Eliza’s face and Paul’s red-faced stare boring into her. Paul’s hand was stroking Eliza’s cheek and she was wincing away from his touch. Judas felt rage boiling up inside him to see that sleazy man lay a single finger on Eliza.

“My pretty, pretty Eliza,” Paul drawled, “So pretty and perfect like your momma.”

The remark made Eliza cringe and sent sparks of fury through Judas. He quickly slammed his foot onto the brake and jerked the steering wheel, sending Paul flying forward out of his seat until he was crumpled onto the floor of the large SUV.

“My apologies,” Judas said, “There was something in the road that I had to avoid.”

He expected Paul to be infuriated, but instead, Paul laughed as he climbed back into the seat and leaned forward, resting a hand on Judas’ shoulder.

“Thanks, my boy. You’re always looking out for me,” Paul chuckled jovially. “I really never expected you to work out so well, seeing as you're an exotic type and all, but so far you’ve been a mighty fine help.”

Judas nodded but rolled his eyes before looking into the rearview mirror again. Eliza smiled back at him and mouthed, “Thank you.”

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