Page 102 of Filthy Rich Brother's Best Friends

I can tell by Jude’s posture that he’s angry. I’ve rarely seen him truly angry. That’s an emotion usually reserved for Reid in this house. But Jude’s jaw is set in a way that makes it very clear that if anyone even breathes wrong in Lola’s direction, he’s prepared to launch.

I feel like I’m intruding on something. Jude is rubbing his hand up and down Lola’s back, and her fingers are balled tightly in his shirt. I’m so used to being on the outside that it takes me a moment to remember I have every right to be here.

“What happened?” I step closer to them.

Lola doesn’t answer.

Jude changes his stance to hold her tighter. “Roommates crossed a line,” he says. “She’s not staying there another night.”

Footsteps sound from behind us. Reid rounds the corner, already mid-sentence. “Hey, did either of you?—”

He stops.

His attention moves between Lola’s face, the way her hands are still clenched in Jude’s shirt, and the protectiveness in Jude’s stance.

“What’s going on?” Reid asks.

“More bullshit from her roommates,” Jude answers.

I watch Reid unravel as something raw flickers in his expression—shock, guilt, fury.

After a moment, he crosses the room in three fast strides.

“I didn’t touch her. I swear to you, Lola—I didn’t do anything. I wouldn’t.”

When she doesn’t answer right away, he continues.“I fucked up,” he says, voice rough. “But I didn’t touch her. I swear, baby.Please.”

“I know.” She reaches out and touches his arm. “I don’t even think it’s really about you.”

Her voice cracks halfway through it, and she looks so damn sad. Jude’s arms tighten around her even more.

“She’s moving in,” Jude says. His tone leaves no room for pushback. “Starting tonight.”

“I was just starting dinner,” I say. “We can figure the rest out while we eat.”

We eat spaghetti and talk through how to get her out of there as quickly and efficiently as possible.

“Let’s go as soon as we’re done,” I say. “I’m worried about them doing something to your stuff. Fucking up your clothes or stealing things. I don’t know. What are they capable of?”

“I’m not sure but I just want to sleep,” Lola says.

Jude nods and starts leading her toward his room. I stop her before she can walk away.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I say. “If we leave your things there, you may not get them back.”

“I just can’t tonight, Miles.”

“Then we’ll take care of it for you.”

“I’ve got a key, Miles,” Jude offers.

“What do you want packed?” Reid asks.

“Essentials only,” I tell him. “Things they’d target first. Electronics. Paperwork. Anything personal. If it’s replaceable, we’ll get it later.”

He nods and slips a pair of sneakers on.

“I’ll get her settled in my room,” Jude says. He steps past Reid and pulls his keys from his pocket. He hands them to me without hesitation.