Conquering Jude by Dakota Trace Read Free Book Online Page A

Olivia. Aunt Aggie would’ve crowed to anyone who listened if you gave her back the title. Lord knows, she hated you replacing her as the dowager baroness when her son died. But I haven’t heard a word. Who else knew about it?”
    She frowned. “Anyone who looked at the registry would’ve known. I went to Claude’s barrister and had him draw up papers to give everything back to her – the lands, the titles, any money made from his various properties and businesses. The only thing I kept was the yearly stipend that Claude left for me. It’s how I financed Olivia’s when I first came Stateside.”
    Jackson rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t blame you for not wanting to deal with them. My mother’s side of the family has always been a bunch of snakes in the grass. Claude excluded of course. But we still have to consider that there may be people out there wanting to hurt you because of your tie to them. If I, as part of your family, didn’t know about you giving it back, I can guarantee there are plenty of others who don’t either.”
    Tipping her head back, Olivia sighed. “All right, Jackson. I’ll allow the twenty-four hour surveillance on Olivia’s as long as Jude Larson isn’t part of it.”
    A moment later, she felt his hands land on her shoulders. “What happened between you, Olivia? I’ve never known you to ban anyone from your club without a good reason. What did my bone-head of a friend do to earn his banishment?”
    She stiffened. “I’m not discussing this with you, Jackson. He knows what he needs to do to get his membership reinstated. If you want answers, ask him.” She pushed back from the desk, nearly running over Jackson in the process.
    A low growl escaped him. “I didn’t ask him! I’m asking you, Olivia. I’m tired of seeing my friend struggle with his sexuality. When his ex kicked his ass to the curb, he buried all of his submissive tendencies.”
    Closing her eyes, she mentally counted to ten as her temper flared. “You mean to tell me Jude has had experience in the lifestyle?”
    Jackson moved back from her. “Hell, no! Old man Larson would’ve had a cow if he thought for a moment his son was a submissive. But Jude has always gravitated towards strong-willed women. When Kathleen dumped him, his dad told him he’d better stick to sweet, old fashioned ladies who knew their places since he couldn’t handle strong-willed ones.”
    Tugging on the end of her braid, she moved away from Jackson. “Grrr. What an ass! But how do you get Jude being sexually submissive out of that bullshit?”
    Jackson laughed. “Tell me something, Olivia. Do you think he’s a submissive?”
    She folded her arms over her chest. “Yes, but in denial.”
    “Exactly, but how do you know?” He arched an eyebrow at her silence.
    “I…I just know.”
    “Exactly! Give me credit here, Olivia. I’ve been in the scene nearly as long as you and I’ve known Jude almost all of his life. I recognized the signs. If my best friend isn’t the perfect submissive for you, I’ll give you that whip you’ve been drooling over.”
    “You’re willing to wager your four hundred dollar hand-made leather whip over the fact that Jude is submissive?” Her eyes widened with disbelief.
    He grinned. “Of course I am. I know Jude. Once he gets past all the bullshit his dad fed him, I haven’t a doubt in the world that he’ll make you the perfect submissive.”
    “You know I should take you up on that, but it would be like taking candy from a baby.”
    Jackson grinned. “Really? Or is it you don’t think that you can win over Jude?”
    She sobered. “It’s not that I can’t win him over, I can make him submit and even like it, Jackson, but what good does it do if he feels like shit afterwards?”
    Jackson moved closer to her. “Is that what happened last night? Did he go off the deep end because you gave him what he wanted?”
    Gritting her teeth, she glanced away. “I’m not going to talk about this or