Page 49 of Too Broken to Love

“Why me?” She held her palms up. “And what message?”

“We don’t know yet. We do know that there are three players here. Frank. You. And Passage International. We need more intel to determine how the three fit together.”

Panic flared in Tessa’s eyes. “I don’t know how I fit into all of this besides being Frank’s daughter. I’ve told you everything I can think of.”

She darted her gaze down the beach.

Placing his hand on her back, Hudson turned her toward the house. “This conversation is rattling you so hard you’re scoping out an exit strategy.”

She crossed her arms under her breasts and cupped her elbows. “I’m not rattled.”

“Good. But you are exhausted. Why don’t you go to bed where you’re safe from falling over sideways.”

But was he safe? Every second he spent with the pretty little thief upped the risk of falling for her.

Tessa shot him a glare sharp enough to cut through sea glass. “I’m going inside to find something for the headache you’re giving me, not because you told me to.”

“Whatever works, little thief.”

Her hips swayed with each stomp to the door. Was she pissed he’d called out her urge to run? Uncomfortable with being protected and cared for? Maybe she plain didn’t like being told what to do.

Too bad.

The General whistled through his teeth as the door slammed behind Tessa. “She’s skittish.”

“Can you blame her?”

“You believe she’s telling the truth about everything.”

“Yes.” Hudson didn’t hesitate. “Pop left her the ring. And any doubts I had were put to rest in a letter he left us. You’re welcome to read it if you want, but don’t tell Vivian I let you see it before her. She’ll go ballistic.”

“No doubt. The last time I saw Vivian at Sam’s eightieth birthday party she was ranting about her cheating husband and swore she’d never marry again.”

Hudson gathered the file on Frank along with Pop’s letter. He motioned the General inside. “Nathaniel’s family goes way back with ours. Vivian’s had a thing for him since they were kids. Pop said she was pretty pleased to snag him when he came back to town.” Hudson closed the door to the terrace and locked it. Dropping onto the couch, he braced his elbows on his knees. “Did you set up my meeting with the Pentagon?”

“We’re targeting the end of the week. I’ll be staying here until then to help you get Sam’s affairs in order.”

“Thank you.” Pop had an army of professionals to help Hudson take care of that, but he appreciated the support.

“What made you change your mind about sitting down with Project V?”

“Pop’s not here to fish with.”

The General eyed him over the rim of his mug. “What about your new friend?”

Jesus Christ. Did the man’s scary smart intel buddies equip him with technology to read minds? “What about her?”

“It’s been a long time since I had kids at home to interrupt, but I remember the signs. If I hadn’t walked around that corner, there’s a good chance I’d be Grandpa General in nine months.” He puffed on his cigar. “Or General Grandpa? Not sure which has a better ring to it.”

“Very funny.”

“Well, the timing for the two of you to get to know each other better works out. Project V won’t be fully funded for at least a year, and that’s contingent on a fuck ton of hoops to jump through. And you’ll have to train.”

“What kind of training would I need that I didn’t already receive in the last twenty years? Unless, of course, Project V was created to fight aliens and I’ll have to learn battlefield medicine for outer space.”

The General didn’t laugh at his joke.

A chill crept up Hudson’s spine. “Why do I think my sci-fi scenario isn’t too far off the mark?”