Chapter 22 — Lines That Blur
The Mox safehouse stank of old blood and new bad ideas.
Judy stood over a ripperdoc's bench — arms crossed, eyes locked on a punk with chrome arms and a broken nose.
"You think you can rough up one of ours and walk out breathing?" she snapped.
The punk stammered — hands raised.
"Judy — I didn't mean—"
I stepped in, voice sharp as a blade.
"She wasn't asking for your excuses."
The guy paled when he saw me.
[System Notice: Street Reputation Intimidation Check — Passed]
Judy shot me a quick look — somewhere between surprise and appreciation.
"You here to help or scare 'em shitless?" she asked under her breath.
I smirked.
"Why not both?"
---
It didn't take long.
The punk gave up the info — some corpos running snatch jobs on Mox girls, same old scum in new suits.
Judy watched as I leaned in, whispered a promise in the punk's ear… and let him crawl out with his life.
She shook her head — half a grin playing at her lips.
"Damn… remind me not to piss you off."
I met her eyes.
"Wouldn't recommend it."
---
Back at her workshop, Judy worked on a shard — hands steady, lips tight.
I leaned on the edge of her desk, watching her.
"Why do you really do this, Judy?" I asked.
"The Mox. The girls. The cause."
She paused — fingers still.
"…Because someone has to."
Her voice was soft, raw — walls down for just a moment.
I didn't press.
Didn't need to.
I just reached out — fingers brushing hers, light but sure.
Judy blinked… but didn't pull away.
---
[System Notice: Judy Alvarez — Interest +30 — Emotional Trust Gained]
[Harem Progress: Judy Alvarez — Stage 4 Unlocked — Emotional Bond Established]
---
"You're not what I expected, Alaric," she said quietly.
I smirked.
"I get that a lot."
---
Romance & Loyalty Recap After Chapter 22:
Evelyn Parker — Interest: +195 — Bonded
Judy Alvarez — Interest: +110 — Stage 4 — Emotional Bond Secured
Rogue — Interest: +30 — Curious
Johnny Silverhand — Interest: +10 — Watching