AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When Erin found out exactly what he’d done, she’d appreciate him again. After all, he’d returned Donald to his boys. To his family.
“For you,” he whispered, and turned away from the motel window.
* * *
The next day, Jude worked beside Erin, digging into case files she’d snagged from her old office.Good thing the DA was slow as hell about reassigning cases and cleaning up paperwork.
They were in the old Lillian government building, home of the District Attorney’s office, and the files were spread around them. Jude still thought there was a link to the crimes somewhere but she?—
She didn’t know what was happening.
Erin snuck a glance at him. Last night, he’d pulled away after his confession. Sure, he’d accepted her hug, but she’d felt his coldness. There had been no more passion between them. She’d wanted to try breaking through the emotional wall he’d seemed to have erected between them, but, she’d hesitated.
Because his story had scared her. To know that he could kill so easily.Hadkilled so easily.
Two men in her life. One who swore she was his mate—and he was killing for her. The other man—her lover—with a past bloodier than her own.
But at least Jude wasn’t claiming to be her mate.
What should she say to him? She knew Jude wouldn’t hurt her. Maybe she should just start with that. As for the darkness inside him?—
Like to like.
Who the hell was she to judge?
“Erin Jerome?”The deep voice, rich with surprise, had her tensing.
Jude shot to his feet and turned to face the door.
A man stood there, tall, with broad shoulders, his black hair graying just a hint at the temples. He wore a gray suit, not his usual long, black enveloping judge’s robe.
Because they weren’t in court. Because it was a Saturday and they were in the bowels of the pit and I sure didn’t expect to see—“Judge Harper?”
He smiled at her, but then flashed a worried glance Jude’s way. “Ah, I...didn’t realize you were back with us.”
She stepped forward. “I’m not. Just finishing up some old business.” True enough.
Judge Lance Harper. The judge with a reputation for playing with the ladies. The judge with three ex-wives. The judge with the giant house on Blakely Road.
The judge who’d let Donald Trent walk.
He was the judge she and a half dozen cops suspected was on the take. Because Harper let too many criminals walk from his court. Too many bastards like Trent.
His handsome face turned solemn. “If you’re reviewing your files, then you know about...Sylvia.”
Her eyes narrowed. What was that? Regret? Did the man feelguiltyabout what had happened?
She sure did. “Yes, I know.”
“Pity.” He sounded like he meant it. Where had his pity been when he’d let Trent walk? “I remember she had those two boys...”
Jude straightened his shoulders. He had at least three inches on the judge and a good forty pounds. “The boys are being taken care of.”
Harper blinked. “I’m sorry. Are you the new ADA?”
“No.” A growl. His gaze raked the older man. Harper was in his early fifties but the judge could have passed for forty. All those expensive gym memberships she’d heard about.
His brown eyes narrowed on Jude. “Then who are you?”
