I thump my palm on the back of the chair in frustration. “But what if the Street Kings get there first? We can’t sit around and do nothing.”
He puts his hands on my shoulders, steadying me.
“We’re not doing nothing. The team is scouring every CCTV camera in the town. They’re pulling every contact they have in the area. Let them do their job. And when they do find him, it’ll be better if you stay out of the way. We’ll be here for a few days yet.”
He’s right. I’m already on the hook for breaking parole. If I go driving around and get caught, I’ll be no good to Tyler.
But I can’t help feeling like I should be doing more.
“I feel useless here doing nothing.”
He squeezes my shoulders. “I know. But trust me, this is the best way.”
Looking into his eyes, I let out a long sigh. “You’re right.” I slide my pack off my shoulders, and it drops to the floor with a thud. The anxiety knots my stomach, and I push it down, like I’m good at doing, and look for another distraction. The biggest one stands right in front of me.
My gaze darts to his lips, remembering the kiss we almost had this morning. It’s tempting to lean into Hudson, to push my body against his and whisper in his ear until he kisses me.
But if I’m doing that, then he’s not tracking Tyler, and with the latest breakthrough, I want him helping Marcus.
I swallow back my indecent thoughts and try to still my racing pulse.
“I’ll go finish my drawing.”
Hudson smiles, and I try to muster some of the carefree feeling from earlier, but as I pull open the door to outside an icy wind sends a chill to my bones.
15
WILLOW
Hudson makes honey mustard chicken on rice for dinner, and it’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted. I could get used to a hot man cooking dinner for me every night.
His mom brought him up well, which reminds me, I know almost nothing about his family apart from that he has a sister, Paige, and a nephew.
“Does your family live in Hope?”
Hudson sets his fork down, and his gaze flicks to my lips as I lick the last of the sauce off my fork, savoring the sweet and spicy taste combo.
“It’s just Paige and me now.”
There’s a hint of sadness in his voice, and I know what he’s about to say before he says it.
“Dad left when I was a kid, and Mom passed away.”
I suck in a breath. I know what it’s like to lose your mom. Having Dad locked up was one thing, but when my mom got sick, that was when life got really tough.
I put a hand over his. “I’m so sorry.”
Our eyes lock, and he puts his other hand over mine. It’s comforting, but there’s also a zing of energy that brings me to the edge of my chair.
“I lost my mom too.”
He squeezes my hand. “I’m sorry.”
“It was a long time ago. Dad tried his best, but …” I think of my dad and the mad schemes he always got into that finally caught up with him. But I don’t want to tell Hudson my dad’s locked up. He’s only just starting to see me as something more than a law-breaker.
It was another reason I wanted to get Tyler away. I couldn’t bear the thought of my brother following in my dad’s footsteps. Although it turns out it’s me that got into trouble with the law.
“When did she pass?” I turn the conversation back to Hudson. It seems he knows all about my family and me, and I know next to nothing about him.
