Chapter 19

Who’s Jude?

WHO’S JUDE?

The question was stuck on repeat in Skylar’s mind. Different voices, tones and modulations as if it were a universally tough question that required severe thought and analysis on a stringent deadline. Did this ingrate have such reduced senses to think that he had the right to enquire after a person she’d invited in her own house? All of her restraint was employed to reject the urge to grab Austin up by his neck and shove him outside.

That image of Austin being flung on his backside brought a smile to her face. Completely inconsequential that she’d have a better chance at murdering him at her dinner table than dragging him out using brute force alone. In that aspect Austin had her beat. He was large man and while she had been trained enough to be able to best him in a fight, she wasn’t capable of taking him anywhere he didn’t want to go. He had a devastating combination of natural strength and training.

Normal men used their natural strength which made them clumsy in their movements but there was nothing clumsy about Austin. He wasn’t an exaggerated fighter; quick and precise was his forte.

How she wished he were a clumsy fool she could fling out of her life like shrunken jeans. The Gods were cruel to her lately. Anyway, back to the problem at hand. Skylar didn’t understand how Austin felt so at ease to have a voice in her own house. The very impression marked her stomach with a sickening sensation.

“None of your goddamn business,” Skylar snapped her head around to answer him. He had no authority over her to demand answers. “Why is he here?” she hissed, focusing on Austin with unblinking eyes while she addressed her mother. She didn’t trust him enough to take her gaze off him for a second. Catherine was less than bothered by her daughter’s reaction. She’d expected it, after all, Skylar was her daughter. What sort of mother didn’t know her own child? Her temper laced outbursts would reduce once Jude joined them. Catherine knew that Skylar would prioritise maintaining appearances for the sake of her business relationship with Jude over the personal issues with Austin. Her daughter had worked hard to build a façade. There was no way she’d let it crumble tonight.

“I told you I invited him.” Catherine shrugged, going over to take a seat beside Austin. Her mind had been taxing her since his intention to marry Skylar became apparent. She knew of her late husband’s fascination with Austin but Catherine needed to also make her own judgment and thus far she liked him. Respectful, charming and most of all everything about Austin screamed ‘protector’. Is that why her late husband had nursed hopes of one day uniting them? Was it his fatherly instinct to have an alpha male be his daughter’s protector? Catherine wished he was alive to guide her.

Catherine was well aware that her daughter had the capabilities to care for herself making it that much harder for Skylar to ever see the need for a husband or a stable boyfriend for there had been none. But, Austin could more than keep Skylar safe. He wasn’t the oblivious men that presumed the possession of strength based on their sex alone.

As Catherine spoke to Austin, she realised he and Skylar would make a powerful pair, that much was clear for Catherine. A desirable state for Catherine’s future grandchild as well.

“You invited a killer notoriously known for poisoning people to dinner?” Skylar lowered her voice but the words were sharper than a blade. Austin grinned at the reminder of his modus operandi. He took great pride in his methods. For years he was taunted as weak for choosing to specialise in toxins rather than choosing a weapon or combat. But he always hated getting blood, sweat or other bodily fluids on him; for reasons he was quite aware of. This didn’t mean that Austin couldn’t trust his strength and training. He was powerful with his fists and weapons. He was a great strategist. However, like everyone else, he had his preference. As he’d grown, he was feared in their world. No one dared underestimate him.

“Jude is Skylar’s partner.” To the untrained eye it appeared as if Catherine hadn’t heard Skylar’s concerned inquiry as she leaned closer to whisper the information to Austin. However, Skylar was fully aware of her mother’s oblivious act, her hands clenching into fists on the table’s surface. Her palms were still humming from the vehement contact.

“He had no right to that information mother,” Skylar raised her voice a bit expecting her mother to be less likely to continually ignore her. She was wrong. Catherine stood her ground.

“Partner?” Austin echoed, ignoring Skylar’s rage. “Professional relationship?” Austin wondered aloud. It would be really unfortunate if Austin had to dispose of her business partner because Jude thought it okay to fraternise with his future wife.

“Yes, nothing untoward at all, not to worry.” Catherine replied. Skylar’s jaw dropped. Was she being sold off as a brood mare without her permission or something?

“Not to worr—” Skylar had to repeat the words for it to make sense and yet it didn’t. “Why did you invite him?” Skylar leaned over the table, bringing her face closer to her mother. There was no way Catherine could pretend to not see and hear her.

“You know why.” Catherine replied through a clenched jaw. Skylar was all astonishment. Not only did her mother invite the enemy into her house, but get this, Catherine was also ticked off with Skylar. Why? Skylar didn’t care why although it was plain that her mother was entertaining the notion of marriage.

In Skylar’s point of view, her mother had no grounds to be upset, if anyone had any reason to be steaming with indignation it was Skylar.

“Mother…” Skylar’s tone transmitted a distinct warning.

“Mrs. Taavon, I found the kitchen towels, I placed them in the kitchen.” Jude had found himself in the dining hall. He noted an unfamiliar face. A man with a mysterious aura and steel eyes casted his gaze upon him steadily. Jude nodded his acknowledgment to the man, sensing the tension in the room.

“Thank you, Jude.” Catherine said with a glowing smile and rosy cheeks, “Come have a seat and let’s have dinner.” She motioned for him to make himself comfortable. Jude smiled in response, he stopped at Skylar’s side, his hand reaching out to touch her arm. “I may have to take you up on the offer to stay the night,” he said to Skylar softly, “there’s some trouble with the plumbing in the condominium.”

“No explanations needed,” Skylar cut across evenly; the serenest mood Austin had ever seen. He was transfixed. Did she care that much about this Jude character’s opinion of her that she’d mellow out in his presence? Perhaps, Austin’s conspiracy to kill him should remain on the table. “I had already extended the offer; I’ll prepare one of the guest bedrooms after dinner.” She said, directing Jude to a seat next to her.

“Jude’s staying the night, ma. He went out of his way to get me home tonight,” Skylar informed her mother out of courtesy, forming the decision to ignore Austin’s presence just for dinner. It would be over soon enough anyway.

“Did something happen?” Catherine became vigilant, beating Austin to the inquest. Jude shook his head, an unmistaken intention to speak for Skylar.

“She’s been exhausting herself at work, I found her passed out on her desk.” Jude peeked at Skylar. He knew how much she hated her mother to worry after her and while he thought there was more going on than mere sleepiness he thought it best to guard that opinion. Whenever Skylar wanted to confide in him and if, he would be a willing ear.

“I was too out of it to drive home,” Skylar added, appreciating Jude’s help.

“You’ve always been a blessing for our family.” Catherine said and while she had always been grateful for Jude’s existence in their life she had never once had the thought of him and Skylar forming a relationship. That refused to be an option. She wanted her daughter to feel taken care of to the point that her feminine energy would emerge and Catherine knew that was not in Jude’s capacity.

“Is this a habit?” Austin studied Skylar, his voice echoing.

“What?” Skylar feared she’d send the ceramic plate flying at his neck if she only forced herself to gaze at him and that ridiculous smile he always had.

“Sharing accommodations with your…” he paused grating his eyes over the length of Jude in a hostile promise, “friends? You are now a taken woman after all.”

“Taken by who?” Skylar coughed at the insinuation, choking on her own saliva. She could feel the heat of Jude’s gaze upon her.

“Are you forgetting who your fiancé is?” Austin appeared to be hurt but Skylar knew he was enjoying the opportunity to pull at the seams of her life. Her nostrils were flaring, her blood pressure rising.

“You’re getting married?” Jude intervened, dragging Skylar’s attention to him.