Chapter 92

Henry’s POV

“Judy… what happened to you,” Henry said, standing to his feet and rushing toward her.

She had tears in her eyes, despite her face looking expressionless. She allowed him to help her to one of the chairs and sit down.

“I got into an argument with my husband last night,” she said, her tone almost hollow. “He asked why I didn’t take his offer and I told him because the amount of money he was offering me to shut me up was pathetic. It wasn’t enough. I wanted to take everything from him because he didn’t deserve any of it.”

Henry sat down at his desk, eyeing her carefully and keeping quiet as she continued.

“He lost it…” she breathed, glancing down at her fingers which she was tugging at. “He called me a selfish and lying bitch. Told me he wished that I was dead and that we never should have married. I said finally something we agreed on. I saw the fire in his eyes, and I knew it was only a matter of time before he hurt me. He’s done it many times before and I knew the signs. I didn’t defend myself… I wanted him to hurt me. I wanted the proof for the judge so I would have a better chance of winning this case. I closed my eyes and called him a narcissistic asshole…”

She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts. Henry could tell this was painful for her to speak about.

“Then he punched me in the face…” she continued. “He kicked me in the stomach as well and I vomited all over the floor. He told me I was disgusting and then he left me there to bleed and cry. Once he was gone, I didn’t wait around any longer. I grabbed some of my belongings, got in my car, and drove here.”

“And he doesn’t know where you are?” Henry asked, keeping his tone low.

She shook her head.

“No,” she answered out loud.

“Have the police been notified?”

She rolled her eyes but then winced at the pain it caused.

“They’ve been notified in the past but because he’s so charismatic and rich they automatically believe his stories over mine.”

“I see,” Henry said, trying to think of another solution.

Obviously, she couldn’t return home, and clearly, the police weren’t going to be any help to her. He wondered if Erin would care if he brought Judy home to stay with them for a little while. Just until he can figure out how else to help her.

Judy was a middle-aged woman, a little older than both him and Erin, however, she was incredibly attractive, even with a black eye. She was also very confident in herself despite the emotional and physical abuse of her husband.

She might have come from a poor family, but she portrayed herself as a diamond and Henry admired that about her.

But he also didn’t want Erin to feel threatened by her.

That’s when he got an even better idea.

He still needed to put Gavin to the test to see if he could be trusted; seeing if he could help Judy might be a good way to put him to the test. It would also keep Erin away from him as well if she thought he was seeing another woman.

Perhaps Gavin would fall for this woman and leave Erin alone as well.

This plan was almost too good to be true and Henry had to fight to keep the smile off his face.

“I have a little money left over… I could stay in a hotel for a few days,” Judy went on to say. “My family lives very far from here and I can’t go stay with them until I win this case.”

“You might not have to go anywhere. At least not right now,” Henry said, standing to his feet quickly. “Come with me.”

“Where are we going, Mr. Henry?”

“I have a place for you to stay. But I need you to trust me.”

She thought about it for a moment before standing to her feet as well.

“I trust you,” she finally said with a faint smile.

She went with him to Gavin’s pack and when she stood outside the packhouse, she stared up at the large building with worry clear in her face.

Henry had to remember that Judy was a human and though they mainly lived in peace, humans didn’t typically go to werewolf packhouses. He was sure that she felt all sorts of intimidation.

“I’m not sure about this,” she said in a soft tone.

Beside her, on the ground, sat her suitcase, and for a moment, Henry thought she was going to take off in the opposite direction.

“You said you trusted me…”

“I do; but—”

“Then trust when I say this is going to work out,” Henry assured her.

Moments later, Henry and Judy were facing Gavin in the middle of the packhouse. Judy was definitely out of her element, but she kept a strong composure.

“I’m surprised to see you here,” Gavin said, raising his brows. “What honor do I have for this visit?”

“I need a favor,” Henry said, gesturing for Judy beside him. “This is my client Judy Conrad and she’ needs a place to stay for a little while.”

“I’m sorry?” Gavin asked, looking between the two of them.

“As you can see, she isn’t well…” Henry said, glancing at Judy who kept the glasses on her face to cover her bruise. “She’s going through a nasty divorce, and she can’t stay in her home with her husband right now. Until this case is closed and her husband is no longer an issue, she needs somewhere safe to stay.”

“And you want her to stay here?” Gavin asked, raising his brows. “Why? She’s a human. Wouldn’t she be more comfortable in a human home?”

“Her family and friends live far and because the trial will be held here, she needs to stay close to the area. As I said, it’s only until after the case is closed. Once we win the case, she will have all the money in the world and will be able to disappear for good.”

“Disappear?” Gavin asked, glancing at Judy and then back at Henry. “I still don’t understand why you’re choosing here. Why can’t she stay with you?”

“You are the strongest and richest Alpha this kingdom has ever had. You are incredibly powerful and will be able to protect her way better than I could,” Henry explained.

It pained him to say this praise to Gavin, but he needed to convince Gavin to help him. Then again, if he didn’t agree to it, that would mean he can’t be trusted.

“Erin trusts you…” Henry continued. “Which means I need to try to trust you as well.”

Gavin thought about it for a moment, staring between the two of them in wonder.

That’s when Judy stepped forward, clearing her throat as she removed her glasses. Gavin narrowed his eyes at her and for a moment, Henry thought he saw sorrow on Gavin’s face.

“Mr. Pierce. I’ve heard wonderful things about you and I’m sorry to be a bother. But my husband is incredibly abusive. I fear that if I stay there any longer, he will kill me…” she paused for a moment before continuing. “Mr. Henry has been incredibly kind to me and generous. He’s been helping me win against him. I want to make my husband suffer for all the pain he’s caused me. But I can’t do so while living in the same house as him. His temper is out of control, and I fear for my life…”

“I see,” Gavin said, staring around her face. “I’m sorry that has happened to you Ms. Conrad…”

“Judy,” she corrected. “Please… call me Judy.”

He nodded.

“Judy,” he said in return. “I would love to have you here. I’ll set up a guest room for you and you can make yourself comfortable.”

A relieved look spread across her face.

“Oh, thank you so much. You are endearing,” she breathed, grasping his hands to Henry’s surprise.

Gavin gave her a kind smile and then ordered a guard to take her and her belongings to a bedroom. She said her goodbyes to Henry before going with a guard.

Henry and Gavin looked at one another for a moment longer before Gavin said, “This is only temporary.”

“I appreciate the help,” Henry said, trying to sound sincere but he came off sounding bitter. “I need to return home to my wife now,” Henry said before leaving the packhouse.

…

Gavin’s POV

Gavin watched as Henry left with a disgusted look on his face. He tried not to let him bother him though; he had more important fish to fry.

Just as he was about to turn back to his office, he received a mindlink from one of his officers in his pack police station.

“Alpha! Susanna has gone missing!!”