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I didn’t have anything left to take.
My life was more valuable to me than it would ever be to them. I had no vital intel to share. If they wanted to break my spirit before sending me to an unmarked grave, they would be sadly disappointed because I wouldn’t let someone harm that part of me ever again.
None of those things aligned with Judas making me his wife, though. That’s what ultimately solidified my decision to stand beside him and mask the unease I felt from being in their home.
His mother smiled at me as she and her husband drew closer, and it completely transformed her doll-like features. The few images I’d seen online didn’t do this gorgeous woman an ounce of legitimacy.
She was shorter than I imagined, a few inches below me and I was far from tall. Her slightly wavy hair almost reached where her pretty chiffon dress flared around her hips.
His father on the other hand was Judas from the future with sexy, freshly shaved stubble and eyes so piercing that if I hadn’t found the steel in my resolve, I would’ve immediately moved his son in front of me as a shield.
He and his wife were stunning together. No wonder Judas was so fucking gorgeous. His parents were genetic perfection. I couldn’t remember how old they were, and it wasn’t obvious by looking at them. His mother was rocking her little black dress and could easily pass as a green heiress.
That would make his father the wealthily refined bachelor that would swoop her up—and had.
Of course, there were some holes in this wild tale of mine. I knew they had their sliding scale of legal endeavors, but that didn’t take away the lifestyle that went with building and fortifying a criminal empire.
“It’s about damn time he brought you home,” his father proclaimed with a Colgate-worthy smile. Looks like good teeth ran in their family too.
The genial expression brought out a deep dimple on his right cheek. I had overheard him on the phone with his son but in person, his voice was more cultured and distinct. It was also weirdly similar to Judas’.
“Zacharias Barron,” he suddenly introduced himself as if he’d read the question on my mind. A hand bearing the legendary rose tattoo came out in an offering.
Judas finally relinquished his hold on mine so that I could accept.
His wife looked up at him and then over to me as if searching for something. I slowly slid my palm against his feeling a tad apprehensive.
“We know who you are, dolcezza,” he stated as gentle as his hold on my hand was.
Judas had just called me that in his driveway. I needed to learn Italian and probably Spanish because my ancestors wept whenever I showed off my limited vocabulary.
“Don’t say things like that. You’ll scare her away before she even settles in,” his wife chastised.
He let go of my hand and peered down at her. “Was that not welcoming enough for you, Cara Mia?”
She waved him off and stepped forward, skipping all the stiff formalities.
She wrapped her arms around me in a hug that could only be described as motherly. “We’re so glad you are finally back, Rhiannon.”
Her tender tone and affectionate embrace gave me the sudden urge to cry for the second time that day. I couldn’t remember the last time the woman who masqueraded as my mother had hugged me because she wanted to. It plucked a cord of pain I never allowed myself to dwell on. My ‘parents’ did a superb job of fucking me up mentally.
“Oh, right.” She released me with a soft laugh and stepped back the slightest bit. “I’m Gemma, you call me Gem though alright?”
Without waiting for me to answer she turned towards Judas and practically launched herself at him. He hugged her tightly, the smile on his face partially obscured by the angle he had to bend at to return the embrace.
“It’s always a good day when my baby boy comes home.”
Judas straightened and looked down at her with a small grin. “I just saw you a few days ago.”
“She could see you three times a day and it still wouldn’t be enough,” Zacharias remarked.
“You might consider moving back in,” Otto added jokingly. He’d been happily watching our interaction in silence until now.
Gemma released her son and glanced over her shoulder at Zacharias. “I don’t know what you just said, but I’m going to pretend it was something for my benefit.”
I didn’t understand what she meant by that. He hadn’t exactly whispered.
He reached out and pulled her back to him. “Isn’t everything I do now for you?”
She beamed as if she’d just received the highest of compliments.
Not in my wildest dreams did I think this day would ever come, me bearing witness to how saccharinely sweet Judas’ parents were.
