CHAPTER NINE #2
Jude's expression softened almost imperceptibly when he looked at her. "Not personally. The system keeps track of all of the locations, and we only access that information if we absolutely have to."
Angela nodded, trying to understand this new reality where her movements would be monitored, even if it was just by a computer.
"There are other security measures as well," Jude continued, his voice low and steady. "The phones have encrypted communications, and a direct line to our security team." He tapped the screen of his own phone, demonstrating. "One button, and we know where you are."
Angela's fingers traced the edge of her box, still unopened. The technology felt foreign in her hands—not just the expensive phone, but what it represented. Protection. Surveillance. A tether to this new family she barely knew.
"What if we go somewhere without our phones?" Kiara asked, already exploring the device's features.
Jude's expression didn't change, but something in his eyes hardened. "Don't."
The simple command hung in the air between them. Angela felt a chill run through her at the seriousness in his tone.
"That's it? Just 'don't'?" Kiara pressed, her brow furrowing.
"For now, yes." Jude leaned forward slightly. "Your safety isn't something we take lightly. Not after what happened to Angela and Annie."
Nodding, Angela finally opened her box, carefully removing the sleek device. It felt substantial in her palm, nothing like the cheap phone she'd been using. "So we're basically prisoners here? Just with nicer accommodations?"
Jude's jaw tightened. "No. You are family members who need protection."
“And you don’t think if one of us is kidnapped that the first thing the kidnappers will do is get rid of our phone?” Kiara asked.
“That’s why we’re also in the process of getting you each some jewelry—most likely a watch—that will contain trackers.”
Angela looked up at Jude with wide eyes. “You’re not messing around.”
“No, Duncan isn’t taking any chances with his family,” Jude said. “His increased wealth has only made him more of a target. I’m sorry if you feel this is suffocating, but it’s just how things are when you’re part of the Burke family.”
“And we don’t have the option of not being part of the family,” Kiara said dryly.
“Well, you do,” Jude told her. His words might have felt a bit harsh, but his tone wasn’t.
“Unfortunately, Angela has an undeniable connection to the Burkes now. And though Duncan has managed to keep Annie hidden for a lot of years, because of Cole, she’s been resisting being kept secluded recently.
So it seems that perhaps the revelation of that connection is inevitable. ”
Angela felt like she had gone from a small pond to an expansive ocean, and she couldn’t see the shore. Her new life was huge and complex, and she didn’t know if she’d ever figure out how to live as the daughter of such a wealthy man.
Did she wish that she’d never allowed Kiara to make that phone call to Cole Halverson? Did she wish she’d never gotten the answers she’d thought she wanted?
Looking at Jude, she wasn’t so sure. So far, meeting him had been the highlight of everything.
Sure, she had ended up with a family. A good family, by all accounts. But she didn’t feel connected to them yet.
In fact, she still felt very much like she was an outsider. And if she felt that way, she could only imagine how much more Kiara did.
"When do we start the self-defense training?" she asked, wanting to change the subject.
Jude's eyes met hers, and for a moment, Angela thought she saw something flicker there. But it was gone so quickly she might have imagined it.
"We can start tomorrow morning if that works for you both. Nine o'clock in the gym at the rec center."
"That's fine," Kiara said, still engrossed in exploring her new phone.
Angela nodded her agreement, trying not to think about what self-defense training with Jude might entail. Spending time together. Her cheeks warmed at the thought.
"There's something else," Jude said, his voice lowering slightly. "Duncan wants me to teach the two of you how to shoot."
Angela felt her mouth go dry. "Shoot? As in guns?"
There had been plenty of weapons around them growing up, but the only ones allowed to touch them had been Jim and Craig.
"Yes." Jude's expression remained neutral, but his eyes seemed to track her reaction carefully. "Firearms training is part of the security protocol for all family members."
Kiara looked up from her phone, suddenly interested. "I've never even held a gun before. Jim wouldn’t let us touch them. Probably figured we might be tempted to turn one on him."
Jude’s expression darkened for a moment before clearing again.
"We'll start with safety fundamentals and work our way up,” Jude said. “The indoor range is in the basement of this building."
Angela pulled her arms close to her sides as she clutched her phone in her hands, feeling a chill that had nothing to do with the temperature. "I don't know if I'm comfortable with that."
Jude's gaze softened almost imperceptibly as he held hers. "It's not about comfort, Angela. It's about being prepared."
The way he said her name made something flutter in her chest, despite her unease about the subject.
"When would we start that?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"After you've had a few self-defense sessions. No rush. Take today to get familiar with your new phones. Dawn can help with any questions about the features."
“And we’re going to have driving lessons?” Kiara asked.
“Yes, we’ll start those soon too.”
“So much to learn,” Angela mused, once again feeling overwhelmed.
“It’s a lot,” Jude agreed. “But we’ll take it one day at a time.”
As they rose to leave, Jude cleared his throat. "Angela."
She paused, heart quickening as Kiara continued toward the door.
Jude glanced toward the door that Kiara had disappeared through, then back to Angela. "The cinnamon rolls yesterday—I wanted to apologize for not coming back. I got caught up in a security briefing that ran late."
Relief flooded through her, followed quickly by embarrassment at how much his explanation mattered to her. "Oh, you don't need to apologize. I understand you're busy."
"I'd like to try one sometime, if the offer still stands."
Angela felt her cheeks warm. "Of course. I could make a fresh batch anytime."
"Good." His lips quirked up in what might have been the beginning of a smile.
"And Angela? In the training we're going to do—if you ever feel uncomfortable or need to take a break, just say so.
This isn't about pushing you past your limits. It’s about helping you get comfortable defending yourself. "
The gentleness in his voice made her chest tighten. "Thank you. That means a lot."
For a moment, they stood there looking at each other, and Angela felt that same flutter of connection she'd experienced the day before. Then Jude stepped back, and Angela realized she might very well be alone in feeling that connection.
"I'll see you tomorrow morning."
Feeling a little sad, Angela nodded and hurried to catch up with Kiara, who was examining the security monitors with Dawn.
"Ready to go?" Kiara asked, pocketing her new phone.
"Yes," Angela said, then followed her sister out of the security building.
Crisp winter air greeted them, a welcome relief from the warmth that had flooded her cheeks during her conversation with Jude.
"So," Kiara said as they walked back toward the mansion. "What did Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Serious want to talk to you about?"
"Nothing important," Angela replied, trying to sound casual. "Just apologizing for missing the cinnamon rolls yesterday."
Kiara shot her a knowing look. "Mmhmm. And that's why you're blushing."
"I'm not blushing."
"If you say so." Kiara looped her arm through Angela's. "But for what it's worth, I think he likes you."
"Don't be ridiculous," Angela said, though her heart skipped at the suggestion. "He's just doing his job."
"His job is to apologize for missing pastries? Interesting career choice."
Angela couldn't help but laugh. "Stop it. He's just being polite."
They continued to walk in silence, their boots crunching on the snow-dusted path. The mansion loomed ahead, grand and imposing against the winter sky.
Would it ever feel like home? Would its beautiful walls feel less like a prison one day?
She’d wanted a home. A place of safety. She wanted to believe this could be that for her and Kiara.
Jude’s handsome face came more sharply into focus in her mind.
She’d never had much interest in men. It probably wasn’t too surprising, considering the type of men she’d been around for much of her life.
But now she’d met men who seemed to be completely different from Jim and Craig. Even Julian, whom she hadn’t spent a lot of time with yet, seemed to be a decent man.
A father and brother in direct contrast to the father and brother she’d been raised with.
And then there was Jude. A man unlike any she’d ever known before. A man of quiet strength, who could easily hurt someone, and yet she was confident he would never hurt her. She felt completely safe with him.
It was foolish, she knew, to even look at Jude as anything but a man who worked for Duncan… her father.
But there was something about him that drew her to him. She didn’t have anything to offer him, however. Of that, she had no doubt.
Still, the yearning of her heart for things she’d never had before was stronger than it had ever been.
Safety.
Security.
Peace.
Love.
Please, God, help me to not set my heart on something that isn’t your plan for me.