“I didn’t understand what was going on. So when they told me to stay in the car, I didn’t listen and followed them up to the house. I don’t remember everything that happened, but the dealer got angry with Tommy for not having enough money and pushed my sister. When I jumped in between her to stop them, he stabbed me in the shoulder.”
I can’t hide the gasp and he strengthens his grip around my shoulder.
“What happened?” I ask when he doesn’t keep talking, lost in the memories.
“All hell broke loose. I was too caught up in the fact I was bleeding, and I was in shock. But the next thing I knew my sister was lying on the ground. She died a few hours later in the hospital. One of the stab wounds hit an artery.”
“Hudson, I’m so sorry. What happened to Tommy and the drug dealer?”
With my question, his body stiffens, but this time out of anger not sorrow. “The dealer walked off with only ten years of prison and Tommy did less than one and a few years of probation since he was only convicted of solicitation of narcotics.”
“It must have been so horrible, I’m sorry.”
“Fucked me up for a few years. It was another reason I decided to join the military. I can’t stop every drug dealer, but I wanted the skills I learned in the military to join the police force and me to get into the DEA.”
“Then how did you end up working security?”
“I learned real fast police work with lots of red tape, but working for Ridge allows us to circumvent most of those problems.”
I spend a few seconds thinking about the meaning of circumvent and how it could possibly apply to him as my bodyguard.
Does he normally deal with drug dealers? How many women has he wooed on the job? Why am I only questioning these issues now? And why do I care? He’s here with me.
At this moment I decide to give in to Hudson. In to him and everything with him. To listening to Hudson about my safety and the feelings that have been growing for him the past few days. Hell, since he walked into my life like a big Christmas present.
Knowing the reasons for what I before considered his overreactions allows me look at Hudson in a different light. His discouraging frown is no longer so discouraging. Losing any sibling would be hard but to lose a sibling in front of you and at such a young age would change your entire life trajectory.
And then a father and grandfather. So much loss in such a short time. Enough for three life times.
Sensing my distress, Hudson tucks a piece of hair behind my ear and rubs his thumb against my forehead. “It’s easier to pretend like nothing bad ever happens in the world, but sometimes it does and I’m determined to keep you safe.”
I nod. I may not be doing drugs, but if the shooting I witnessed is gang-related, I could be in a whole heap of different trouble. Mob bosses might have soft spots in their hearts in romance books, but in real life they’re coldhearted monsters who go to prison for extended periods of time. It’s possible I’m not as safe as I’d hoped.
“Hey,” Hudson says rubbing my shoulder. “I see you freaking out. Don’t worry. I will make sure nothing happens. You are safe with me, Amanda.”
“What would happen?”
“To you?”
I nod.
“Nothing.”
“Hudson, I’m serious. I didn’t see anything.”
It’s the truth. I couldn’t pick anyone out of a headshot lineup or whatever it is the police use. No one except the one person who wasn’t involved… much. At what point do friends stop being friends? How much loyalty do I have in my current situation? Who do I trust more, Ben or him? Why have I let my mind be so stubborn to the fact I’m safe? But what if I’m not? I gave a promise, and a promise is a promise. There’s nothing if I don’t have my word. Right?
“I know, but the thing is they don’t. I’m sure everything will be fine. Ben is the most competent police officer I’ve ever worked with he will get the job taken care of. I promise.”
And then what? I think but don’t have the balls to ask. There’s so much on the line and I worry when it all comes out I’ll be the one standing in the middle as it falls down around me. Worse yet, I’ll lose Hudson.
16
“You have to be lying, right?” I ask looking at Hudson like he’s an alien from another planet.
He shakes his head. “I’ve never seen it.”
My coworker Kimberly stares at him in disbelief as well, our twin expressions half horror and the other half shock.
