“You’re kidding me.”
“No, I’m not. She’s on the Undertaker’s radar. She has a kid who’s three or four.” What I was asking her could bring back horrible memories even after all these years, but I truly believed I had no choice.
Camille sucked in her breath. “Fuck. You know what he’s going to do. You do remember what he did to my partner. Yes?”
“I remember. One reason I asked you to be there was because you know how he operates.” Her partner had been caught in the sting established to try to bring Jones in several years before. The man’s body had been hacked to death, but our boy Jones had a solid alibi. Plus, I had to wonder whether palms had been greased back then.
“He’s a fucking monster. How the hell did this case go to shit?”
“Let’s just say I think it was planned.”
“Fuck,” she whispered under her breath. “So the rumors are true.”
“If you’re talking about our illustrious attorney general, then I believe so. You didn’t hear that from me. At least not right now. Just so you’re aware, I even had a nice visit from Mr. Jones just moments ago. That’s why I need your help.”
“He’s laying grounds to ensure his case won’t be retried.”
“That’s why this witness is so important.”
As I explained what I needed, I sensed her pushback. Not that I could blame her. The favor was huge. She didn’t owe me a favor, but I was hoping she’d remembered we’d once beenbest of friends. There’d even been rumors we were romantically involved. People did so love to talk in this town.
Something else I’d need to remind myself of as Raven Intel moved forward.
Silence and anonymity were the keys.
“You’re asking a lot of me, Hudson. You know that.”
“And I’ll be eternally grateful if you do me this one favor.”
She took a moment to think about my request. “Does that mean I have access to your platinum credit card?”
At least she wasn’t flat out telling me no. “At your service. I’ll leave it with the clerk up front in an envelope.”
“Spending limit?”
“Whatever you feel is necessary. Valentina will need a few things. I don’t know exactly what I’m dealing with as of yet.”
“You’re worried about what you’ll find when you head to her place.”
I sighed. That was exactly what I was worried about. “Enough to keep me rightfully on edge. Plus, after what she’s been through, she deserves a break.”
“Ah, I get it. A date. The lone wolf is finally settling down.”
“Very funny. More like a reprieve from her stressful life.” I had no intention of telling Camille about Raven Intel. Not that she wasn’t qualified or wouldn’t be an excellent member. I feared what she would do to a targeted perpetrator.
Her sigh was heavy and exaggerated. I had a feeling she would have preferred drilling holes into my eyeballs, but she also knew I’d never asked her for anything. Plus, I’d found her soft spot. Maybe I should say I’d exploited it.
“Fine. You caught me at a good time. I’ll be there in a couple hours. And Hudson? Do us both a favor and don’t call me again. There’s too much baggage between us. You’re a good man, but I just… I can’t.”
“Understood.” The same ache hit me hard, enough so I closed my eyes, allowing the ugly memories to slide through the cracks. As soon as I ended the call, I tossed my phone across the desk and raked both hands through my hair. Why the hell were women so damn complicated? Why the hell did I bother?
As my thoughts drifted to Valentina once more, my cock twitched.
There was my answer loud and clear.
CHAPTER 17
Valentina
