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“Bad intel. We arrived on scene and—”
“Don’t take the piss with me, Dexter.” With a huff, Hudson released Dex’s wrist and marched into the living room.
Take the piss. That was a new one. Take it where? And why would you want to take piss anywhere? That was just gross. “I, uh, have no idea what that means.”
“It means I know enhanced interrogation techniques when I see them.” He turned to Dex and folded his arms over his chest.
“I’m pretty sure that’s not what it means.”
“Oh, for Pete’s sake. It means don’t mock me. How long have you known me?”
Hudson was adorable when he was flustered. Dex tried his best to hold back a smile. The last thing he needed was a doctor who wielded sharp medical implements to be mad at him. “I can’t remember all your weird Brit terms. I don’t think I’d heard that one yet.”
“You’re being evasive.”
For a very good reason. “I can’t go into it. I’m sorry.”
“Fair enough. Are you all right now? Considering?”
“I will be. How about some coffee?” Dex held a finger up. “Actually, I think there’s still some of that English breakfast tea you gave Sloane a couple months back.” Hudson was a guy after his own heart. He drank as much black tea as Dex drank coffee, and he was damned scary when he didn’t get it. Never keep an Englishman away from his afternoon cup of tea.
“Tea would be lovely. Thank you.”
Dex motioned for Hudson to follow him into the kitchen. He pulled the electric teakettle out from one of the bottom cabinets. Tea wasn’t Dex’s favorite drink, but since he’d met Hudson he’d been drinking more of it. He wasn’t a fan of some of the herbal ones. The whole boiled-grass thing didn’t appeal to him.
“How are you doing?” Hudson asked, taking a seat on one of the chairs behind the kitchen counter as Dex took out a couple of mugs. He might as well make himself a latte.
“Sore as hell, but—”
“That’s not what I was referring to,” Hudson said gently.
Dex turned to see what Hudson was referring to. He swallowed hard when Hudson motioned to Dex’s arm. O
n instinct, he put a hand over the healed wounds. He did his best to smile wide. “Good. Great.”
“Dex, we’re friends, aren’t we?”
“Of course we are.” Dex really liked Hudson. Had liked him from the moment they met. He was such a sweet guy. Smart, funny, and at times charmingly awkward. When he was drunk, he was hilarious and threw caution to the wind. Whenever Hudson joined them at Dekatria, he and Dex would get cheerfully drunk, and the two became partners in crime, singing karaoke, dancing, hugging everyone, causing mischief. Dex wished Hudson joined them more often.
“Then you know you can confide in me. I meant to offer sooner, but it’s been a rather eventful few months, hasn’t it?”
Dex snickered. “Never a dull moment in Destructive Delta.”
“Quite right.”
“When you say offer….”
“You must have so many questions. I’m here. Whatever you need, and I know you need. I can see it in your eyes.”
“See what?” Dex turned and busied himself getting their hot drinks ready.
“The fear, the onslaught of overwhelming emotions that threatens to drown you at any moment. The feel of him always on your skin. His scent, his touch. It’s exhilarating and yet incredibly terrifying. I imagine even more so for you.”
Hudson was the only one he knew who was marked. Dex had so many questions, but he didn’t want to bring up anything that might be painful for his friend, so he never asked. “I didn’t want to say something that might hurt.”
“I’m constantly hurting, Dex.”
Dex turned to stare at him. “Jesus. Like, physically?”
