A Vow of Deception, A Vow of Revenge novel Chapter 209

Winona took the chance to give him a playful pinch at the waist before finally speaking. “It’s nothing, really. I just saw Tyson cozying up to Jackson today and thought, well, if he’s trying to get in good with the Quincys, maybe he’s also got some dealings with Jude. So I went to give Jude a little warning.”

She recapped her conversation with Jude, leaving out none of the details—including the fact that she’d pulled a knife.

As she spoke, Elvis’s expression grew darker, a storm of emotions brewing beneath the surface. When she finished, he was silent for a long moment.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Winona tugged at his shirt, searching his face.

Suddenly, Elvis pulled her into a fierce embrace.

That hug said everything he couldn’t, brimming with love and unspoken words.

Winona was a little taken aback. She patted his back gently, concern in her voice. “Hey, what’s wrong? Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Elvis replied, though his voice was thick with feeling. “I’m just… really happy.”

He mattered to her—enough for her to take risks.

Winona blinked in surprise, then realized what he meant. She couldn’t help but laugh, though her eyes shimmered with tears.

“You big softie.”

It was a while before Elvis finally let her go.

“But next time, don’t take risks for me.” He reached up and brushed her hair back with a gentle hand. “Threatening Jude with a knife might have worked out this time, since he’s in no shape to retaliate. But from now on, leave things like that to me. Promise me?”

He never wanted her to be in harm’s way—not for anything.

No matter what happened, he’d be the one to stand in front of her.

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.” Winona grinned. “Besides, I wasn’t alone. There was a bodyguard with me the whole time. Even if Jude was at full strength, he wouldn’t have been able to touch me.”

She wasn’t reckless enough to go barging in without backup.

The men exchanged nervous glances, stumbling over their words. Jackson didn’t bother waiting for an answer—he simply pushed open the door and strode into the room.

Jude was sprawled on the hospital bed, a tablet propped up on a stand next to him as he scrolled through financial news.

When Jackson barged in, Jude coughed twice; a nearby bodyguard immediately switched off the tablet’s screen.

Jackson barely noticed. His eyes were fixed on Jude, who was swaddled in bandages. “How did this happen?”

Jude let out a harsh laugh. “How did this happen? Maybe you should be asking your darling little sister that question.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Jackson shot back. “Jocelyn would never do something like this.”

“Oh sure, this was all my doing—just so I could frame her. Is that what you want to hear?” Jude shut his eyes. “Just leave, Jackson. I don’t need your fake concern.”

Jackson didn’t argue. Instead, he turned to one of the bodyguards and asked, “What did the doctors say?”