AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m a little banged up. Could you help me out?”
“Of course.” Hudson stepped aside, greeting Sloane when he came in. He was about to close the door when Seb appeared, startling Hudson. “Sebastian.”
Seb held a hand up. “Hi.”
“I called him,” Dex explained. “This is kind of off-the-record, and I didn’t know where you lived.”
Hudson narrowed his eyes at Dex. Yeah, he wasn’t buying it.
“I’ll go,” Seb told Dex. “You can just call me when you’re done, and I’ll come pick you up.”
Hudson sighed. “Don’t be silly. Come in.”
Seb hesitated before Hudson smiled at him, even though his eyes were on his feet.
“Please.”
“Okay.” Seb walked in, and they all headed into the dining room. Hudson’s house was as immaculate on the outside as it was on the inside. Everything had its place. Dex wasn’t sure what he expected Hudson’s place to look like, but he certainly hadn’t expected all the vibrant-colored walls and accents. Dex was about to comment when Hudson hissed at him.
“I don’t know what’s percolating in that caffeine-soaked brain of yours, but I have half a mind to kick your arse.”
“You’re a doctor. You’re supposed to heal people.”
Hudson smiled wickedly. “I examine dead bodies, if you will recall. Test me, and by the time I’m through with you you’ll fit right in with the rest of my patients.”
Dex put a hand to his chest. “Ouch, man.”
“Now let’s take a look at that arm. Seb, could you bring me my medical bag, please?”
Seb nodded. He went to the large decorative trunk behind the flower-patterned love seat in the living room, which Dex could see from the chair he’d plopped himself down on. Seb opened the trunk and removed a large medical bag, which looked just like the one Sloane kept in their closet at home. Seb brought it back to the dining room and placed it on the table. He quickly began to remove supplies.
“Now tell me. Why couldn’t you go to the hospital?” Hudson asked, and he pressed against the edges of Dex’s wounds with his thumbs. It didn’t hurt as much as it did when Rosa was applying the glue.
“Because then they’ll have my blood, my records, and they’ll want tests, and then the guys who had my parents killed will show up to kill me and Sloane.”
Seb stilled, and Hudson stared at Dex over his glasses. “I beg your pardon?”
“Jesus.” Seb turned to Sloane, shaking his head in disbelief. “You guys ever think of maybe taking some time off from all the crazy?”
Sloane took a seat in the chair beside Dex. “Buddy, you have no idea.”
“I know. It’s a lot to take in.”
Dex told Hudson everything, leaving out only Sparks’s identity. He trusted Hudson with his life, but the four of them, they were connected through their bonds, through their experiences, and what Shultzon’s superiors had planned for them. Just because Hudson wasn’t Human didn’t mean he wouldn’t be targeted. Dex wasn’t taking any chances. Dex watched Hudson as he slowly sank into one of the chairs. He was quiet as he took it all in. Seb, for all his bulk and muscle, was sharp. He narrowed his eyes at Dex.
“That’s why you brought me here.”
Hudson looked from Seb to Dex and back. “What are you talking about?”
Seb continued, addressing Dex as if Hudson hadn’t spoken. “These people who are after you, they’re dangerous. By coming here, you could have put Hudson on their radar. You brought me here to protect him.”
“I’m sorry,” Dex replied sincerely. “But I can’t go to a hospital. Not anymore.” He turned his attention to Hudson. “I trust you, Hudson. Whatever’s going on, it’s bigger than all of us. Who’s to say you and Seb wouldn’t be next? Right now they’re just targeting Humans who’ve been marked, but what if they start looking at Pre-First Gens?” Dex moved his gaze to Seb. “What if your DNA changes Hudson?”
Seb looked stricken. “That was three years ago. If that was the case it would have happened by now.”
“But you don’t know for sure. No one does. You need to keep an eye on it.” Dex turned his attention back to Hudson. “I’m sorry for bringing you into this mess, Hudson, but I have no one else to turn to, no one else I trust more. If I end up under your care, I know you’ll d
o what is right. I know I’m asking a lot from you, and I’ll find a way to repay you, but please. I need you to be my doctor. Off the books.” Dex waited quietly as Hudson went pensive. His tension eased somewhat when he felt Sloane take his hand and squeeze.
