Page 16 of Crossroads of Innocence
Alarm straightened her spine. “What? Tell me exactly what Mama told you.”
“Some guy showed up and wanted to know if she’d seen or spoken with you. Said you’re in big trouble and he needs to find you right away. What happened? Are you all right? Where are you?”
Each question ripped through her chest like a bullet—sharp and explosive. She squeezed her eyes shut for a second. Shit. Shit. Shit. She’d been so concerned about her safety, and the safety of those who’d stepped in to help, but she’d never considered her family.
Her father… well he could burn in hell for all she cared. But if the past had proven anything, it was that Jenson Metcalf wouldn’t go down without a fight.
Or a chance to turn the tables and make everyone else the bad guy while he bounced between his role as victim or savior.
Swallowing her panic, she opened her eyes and focused on organizing her spiraling thoughts. “I’m okay for now. Some things happened up in Michigan and I got scared and ran.”
“Ran where?” Matthew asked. “Do you need me to come get you?”
Appreciation misted her eyes. “I’m in trouble. I saw something I shouldn’t have and now that detective—or at least that’s what he claims to be—is after me. He’s dangerous.”
A beat of silence pulsed over the line. “Did he hurt you?”
Tears streamed over her face. “Yes.”
A light tap on the door sounded before Mia let herself in. Her grin quickly fell away. “Are you okay?” she mouthed.
Jude wiped the moisture from her face and nodded. She held up a finger, indicating she needed a minute.
“Sonofabitch. Tell me where you are,” Matthew demanded, a hardness to his words she seldom heard from him. “I’m tired of all this secrecy. Of you being all alone, prancing all over the country. Let me bring you home. You can stay with me and Brandon. Mom and Dad don’t have to know. But please, let me help you.”
A lump lodged in her throat. A part of her wanted to accept his offer to crash with her brother and his husband. The other rebelled against the thought of relying on him or anyone else in her family. Matthew had always been her champion, but that didn’t mean he’d escaped their father’s clutches. Jenson still lingered on the periphery of Matthew’s life, waiting for a chance to pounce and reclaim the son who’d strayed. She’d fought too hard for too long to just toss up the white flag and return to a place of uncertainty and fear. “I’m safe. That’s all you need to know right now.”
“Jude…” He drew out her name like he had when they were kids.
“Listen, I’m taking care of this. I don’t want you or Brandon or anyone else to be caught in the middle of my mess. When the dust settles, I’ll let you know. Hell, I’ll even come and see you. I miss you.”
“I miss you, too. And I’m here. Always, okay? I don’t care about the trouble, or the mess, or whatever the hell this is. I care aboutyou.”
The lump in her throat tripled in size, making it hard to breathe. “I love you. I’ll be in touch.”
Disconnecting, she wiped her eyes and cleared her throat. “Sorry about that.”
Mia took a step further into the room, her dog beside her, and she set a giant tote bag at her feet. Clothes spilled over the sides. “No need for apologies. I’m sorry you’re going through this. I might not know the details, but I do know what it’s like to be thrust into a situation where control is ripped away and you’re afraid of what’s around each corner.”
Her words piqued Jude’s curiosity. “What happened to you?”
Mia scrunched her nose, as if trying to decide how much to share. “That’s a very long story, and one that’s not only mine to tell. Let’s just say I survived the darkest, scariest time of my life and came out the other end with more than I ever expected.”
“You mean Chet?”
Mia grinned. “Trust me, I never thought I’d fall so hard for a guy who was nothing but a pain in my ass for months. But things worked out for us, and I’m sure with Cruz helping out, things will work out for you too. I don’t know what caused you to leave Pine Valley, but Chet’s happy to have you around. Hopefully I’ll get to know you a little while you’re here.”
Mia’s genuine kindness lowered Jude’s guard. She’d once had so many friends, people always around to lean on, but that had changed the minute she left town. Her job had her bouncing around the country most of the time, always in search of more inspiration. Friends weren’t something she had many of. It’d be nice to reconnect with old ones, and possibly make a new one or two, while she was in town. “I’d like that.”
“Good,” Mia said. “But first, here are some things. Once you go through them, we can see what else you need and figure out the best way to get it.”
Jude stood, and the dog wiggled his butt to her side and pushed his nose against her hand. “He’s a handsome boy.”
“He’s handsome all right, but his bark’s a hell of a lot worse than his bite and everybody knows it.”
Jude laughed as Wrigley tried to lick her face. “I’m sure he could do some damage if someone threatened you.”
A hint of emotion skittered across Mia’s face before she schooled her expression with a jovial smile. “Hopefully I never have to find out. I’ve had all the threats I can handle for one lifetime.”
