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“Yes.” A hiss.
He just stared at her.
“Hunting the local idiots was just bonus.” Her hands went to her hips. “I didn’thurtanyone. Just had some fun.”
Right. The kind of fun that had led the gnome to his shotgun. Jude figured he owed the wolf before him for that. Another damn scar on his body.
But, curious now, he asked, “If I’d been after Erin at Mort’s, if I’d been going to have some...fun with her, what would you have done?”
“Ripped your throat out.” Said immediately.
Good to know.
“I know I’m messed up,” she told him with a straight stare. “And I know I’m not the mother she needs.” The woman wet her lips. “But I need her.” Her hand dove into her back pocket. When her hand came back up, she shoved a bent business card at him. “When...ifshe ever wants to talk to me, give her that number, okay?” Not waiting for his answer, she spun away from him and marched toward the line of cars waiting in the parking lot.
After five feet, she stopped. “You gonna get that bastard claiming to be her mate?”
“Count on it.”
She tossed a quick glance over her shoulder and the smile on her face was pure Erin. “Good. Do me a favor—rip his throat out for me.” Then she jumped into one of the cars and spun out of the lot.
“Will do,” he whispered, watching her go. Ripping the bastard’s throat out was the plan, after all.
* * *
The early morning sunlight burned her eyes. Thanks to her mother and the not-so-small matter of a murder, last night had been a real bitch. Erin marched away from the motel room with her bag clutched tightly in her hand. Coming back home had been exactly as hard as she’d thought it would be.
And just when she’d thought her life couldn’t get any more screwed up...
“Erin.” Jude grabbed her arm, pulling her to a stop. She blinked, trying to shove her way out of the pity party and focus on him.
“Company.” A breath of a whisper from Jude.
She followed his gaze and saw the gleaming curves of a BMW sweep into the old lot. Erin caught a glimpse of the driver’s face.
Judge Harper. “He must have another meeting,” she muttered. A meeting at the motel. No big surprise for the judge. “Come on, let’s get out of here.” She was more than ready to hit the road.
The BMW jerked to a halt, and Harper shoved open his door. He sprang from his car, and his gaze instantly zeroed in on her. “Jerome! Erin Jerome! Wait!”
Great. Erin took a deep breath, aware of Jude stiffening behind her. Pasting a fake smile on her face, she asked, “Something I can do for you, judge?”
He stalked toward her. As usual, he looked all determined and cocky and confident—then he stumbled. A quick misstep as he approached. Then he was before her. Staring so hard.
She lifted a brow and stared right back.
“I-I had to find you. Cartwright told me you were leaving.” A heavy pause. “I went to Katherine LaShaun’s house.”
Erin blinked. “What?” The last thing she’d expected.
“I had to go!” His nostrils flared. “When I heard about the body, “I needed to see for myself what was happening out there.”
Yeah, she’d wanted to see the scene, too. But she hadn’t been allowed near the place.
Harper’s eyes darted to Jude, then back to her. “Erin, can we talk, privately?”
“No.” The instant answer came from Judeandfrom Erin.
Harper’s lips thinned. He dragged a shaking hand through his already tousled hair. “You and Greer have to understand. Trent’s death wasn’t my fault.”
