Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
What?
This dude has major trust issues.
“Everything you say to me is confidential. Unless you tell me otherwise, I won’t repeat what we discuss to your father or anyone for that matter.”
Another snort. He shifts in his seat and then releases the arms of the chair. Lifting one hand, he opens his palm and turns it over to inspect it. I find myself fixated on the thick pink scars marring the flesh there. The back side of his hands is smooth and perfect, but the palms have been heavily damaged in the past.
“Do you have a lot of burns?” I ask softly. “Is that why you wear the mask?”
I try to imagine a younger version of Callum, face scarred over with burns. Despite what the fire did to him, he shouldn’t have to hide, especially from his own family.
“Your family loves you, you know,” I continue. “You don’t have to wear the mask because—”
“Just stop,” he bites out, leaning forward and pinning me with a fierce glare. “You’re not going to fix me or anyone in this family. We don’t need fixing. What we need is privacy. People like you can fuck right off.”
I stifle a frustrated sigh. “If that were the case, your father wouldn’t have hired me. Clearly, he’s worried about his family.” Especially you. Of course I hold that part in. “I’m sorry you see me as a threat.”
At this, he chuffs. Was that a laugh?
“Threat? Please, little boy. I could break you without even trying.”
His cruel words cause me to tense up. Memories of Sean creep in around me, making it difficult to breathe. He always said he wanted to break me—that it’s what gets him off. My lip trembles, but I bite down on it. I refuse to let this man upset me.
“Don’t speak to me that way,” I choke out, somehow managing to lift my chin with false bravado. “I won’t let you scare me off.”
He blinks behind the mask, studying me intently. “You want me to talk? Maybe you should talk first. What makes a ‘qualified’ therapist take a job with a family like ours? Money? Curiosity?”
Desperation.
“Whether you choose to believe it or not, I care about people. Supporting others is a passion of mine. Your father approached me, Jude, not the other way around. He came to me and made a compelling offer.” At exactly the right time. “Yes, the money is good. I’m not going to lie to you about that. He’s even discussed a bonus for making headway with certain family members. But it’s not all about that. Helping people is something I deeply value.”
He doesn’t answer, so I keep babbling, deciding to give him a nugget of myself even though he doesn’t deserve it.
“I do this job because I wish someone had helped me back when I was a child. Helped my dad with his alcoholism.” I absently rub at my wrist that used to forever be bruised from when Dad would snatch me up by it. “Let me try and help you. Please.”
The room falls silent and my skin prickles with unease. Then, slowly, Jude rises to his feet, towering over me. He’s much bigger than my father ever was. It’s true what he’d said moments ago. He could break me without trying. I’m no match for the godlike man.
But I can help.
I want to help.
“I’m going to find out who you really are, Prince,” Jude murmurs, voice gritty but soft. “And then you’ll be out of here. Don’t get too comfortable.”
With those words, he turns on his heel and stalks out of the room. The chilly atmosphere warms several degrees now that he’s no longer here. I glance at the clock and sigh. He lasted a whole ten minutes. Since I won’t see Spencer until after lunch, I head back over to my room at Callum’s.
Nathan and Jamie are nowhere to be found. Dempsey and Gemma are at school. Rather than hunting Nathan down to say goodbye, I slip out without a word. The air is chilly outside and whips at my face. I squint against the sunshine, looking for any sign of Jude. Even though his house is quite a jaunty walk, he’s already disappeared, which means he might’ve run there.
The thought of big, scary Jude running away from little ol’ me is comical. I find myself grinning despite the stressful meeting I just had. Once I make my way into Callum’s house, my smile widens to see my cat taking up residence in Willa’s lap.
“Oh, hey,” Willa chirps with a sheepish smile. “He was whining to be let out of your room. I felt bad.” She bites on her bottom lip as her cheeks turn pink. “I hope that was okay.”
Willa is different than anyone in this family. She’s quiet and sweet. I already like her the best of everyone.