A Vow of Deception, A Vow of Revenge novel Chapter 202

“Do you think I’m well enough to sit up and drink now?” Jude’s voice trembled, on the verge of tears.

The man beside him let out an impatient click of his tongue but still reached for a straw, placing it gently in the glass so Jude could sip.

After a few mouthfuls of water, Jude let out a relieved sigh.

The man set the glass aside and stood at the edge of the bed, his expression unreadable.

“Are you a bodyguard for the Thorne family? Or for the Rogers family?”

Silence.

“What’s your name?”

Still nothing.

“How old are you anyway? Should I be calling you ‘brother’ or ‘kid’? Could you fetch Winona—Miss Thorne—for me? I’d really like to thank her properly.”

Finally, the man lost his patience. He reached down and pressed his hand over Jude’s mouth, silencing him in one swift motion.

Now forcibly muted, Jude finally quieted.

His mind drifted back to the attempt on his life.

He’d lived recklessly over the years, made plenty of enemies. But people who hated him enough to hire professional killers—there weren’t many.

Suddenly, the memory of Jocelyn Quincy’s face—twisted in rage at that restaurant—flashed before his eyes.

Of course. If anyone had the motive and the means, it was her.

Jude had always known Jocelyn wasn’t to be underestimated. If she truly was behind this, he wouldn’t be surprised. Family bonds? They’d never existed between them.

He found himself wondering—if his oh-so-righteous older brother ever learned about this, how would he react?

A cold, sardonic smile curled Jude’s lips.

But his injuries were catching up with him. Within moments, his head grew heavy, his eyelids drooped, and he slipped into sleep.

…

Morning light filled the villa. The housekeeper was already setting breakfast on the table.

She entered Jonah’s private studio without trouble.

And there it was.

The painting wasn’t in a prominent spot, but she’d recognized it instantly.

A woman in a red dress, dancing—Winona herself.

She’d asked Jonah if that was the painting he’d kept for all these years.

He hadn’t denied it.

When Veronica finished, Winona was silent for a long moment before she finally spoke. “He wanted you to see it.”

“What?” Veronica was taken aback.

“Jonah never lets anyone into that studio unless he wants them to see something.”

“That’s what I thought! I mean, I’d heard before that people tried to get into his studio and he always refused.”