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God, I love him so much. “When he was doing what he did, I closed my eyes and thought of you. You’re the reason I was able to get through it. Your love, it was my beacon. I wouldn’t have survived if it hadn’t been for you.” Tears quietly fall as I hold onto him for dear life. “I’m not sure how much time had passed before he came back again. I fully expected him to do it again. I braced myself for it to happen, my mind switching off and going to my happy place, to you. But when he said that things had changed then I realized he was panicked. He shot Lacey. God, that noise, it was so loud.”
“I’m so sorry, Baby.”
“He threw a key down onto the floor so that I could unlock my shackle and flee. I couldn’t see where he had thrown it and Lacey had been shot, I was in shock, all I wanted to do was find it. My heart sunk when he shot her again, I knew by the sounds she was making that she was going to die. I tried so hard to find it. By the time I did, he was gone and Lacey was bad.” I sob, I can’t continue, the image of Lacey in my arms is etched in my brain. I can’t switch it off.
He buries his head into my shoulder and kisses me. “I love you, Princess, I’m in awe of you.”
“I let her die.” I cry into him.
He pulls me up, so that I’m lying on top of him. “No, you didn’t. Your best friend died in the arms of someone she loved. You didn’t let her die, you were there when she needed you the most.”
“But if it weren’t for me, then she’d still be alive,” I whisper, the tears cascade down my face, I watch them land on Hudson’s cheek.
“If it’s anyone’s fault it’s mine. Mia, I’m the reason that you and Lacey were put in that situation in the first place.” His face is blank of any emotion.
“How can you say that? Why would you say that? You aren’t the reason. You didn’t pull the trigger that killed her, you didn’t tell that man to…” I catch myself before I say that word, “do those things to me.”
His eyes fill with disgust. “Of course not.”
“There’s your answer, you’re not responsible for this.” I shake my head, how can he think that?
“What if I were in the room with her and I couldn’t get to her until it was too late, would I have let her die?”
Frowning, I wonder what he’s trying to say? “No.”
He gives me a pointed look. “So why do you?”
I close my eyes, I understand what he’s saying but my heart sees differently. I yawn and cuddle up to Hudson again. “I’m so tired.”
He pulls me closer to him, shifting slightly so that he can cover us with the sheet. “Sleep, Princess, I’ve got you.”
Thirteen
Hudson
Walking into the kitchen I’m greeted by the sight of my father and Tina sitting at the bar having breakfast. I caved and let them stay wanting to keep my dad close by as I know whoever this fucker is he's going to go after my family. It means having Tina here. I dislike the woman but I’m going to keep my mouth shut for now, as it means keeping them safe. She’s been warned that if she says anything to piss me or Mia off then she's likely to get a bullet in her head. I will not have her upsetting Mia, my girl has been through enough.
I never thought I would be reduced to tears by a woman and yet listening to Mia relive what she went through had my eyes welling up. When she whispered that she didn’t want the bastard to rape her as if I believed otherwise, it gutted me. I meant what I said, she’s fucking strong and I'm in awe of her. Who gives a shit if she doesn’t like having the lights off? I’ll keep them on just to make sure that she's safe. That whimpering sound she made last night shit the fucking life out me, I thought somebody was hurting her.
“How is Mia, son?” Dad asks as soon as he sees me. Glancing at Tina I see that she's got a fucking stupid grin on her face, one that I’d just love to wipe off
“She's in the shower right now. She had a bad night but she managed to get some sleep.” She didn't move after she fell asleep on me. She kept her head tucked into my shoulder and slept peacefully. I don't know what I did to deserve her complete and utter trust, especially after I lied to her, but knowing that I'm someone she is safe around makes me feel like one lucky man.
“Do you think I'll be able to talk to my daughter today?” The disrespectful tone coming from Tina has me advancing on her in just two steps. My hand going around her neck lifting her from her seat, the thumping of her erratic heartbeat under my palm tells me that she’s scared of what I’m going to do to her. She should have thought about that before running her mouth.
“Son?” Dad questions but when I glare at him, I see that he’s got a smile on his face. Seems I’m not the only one that’s got a dislike for Tina at the moment, things with her and dad are shaky at best.
“Dad, I told her before she came here. There were certain conditions she agreed to before walking through that door, if she doesn’t like it, she can walk back out of it. How dare she come into my house and disrespect me?” I’m being good, my hands haven’t tightened around her neck although I'd love nothing more than just snap it.
“Hudson.” My hands release Tina at the soft willowy voice of Mia. “She's not worth getting upset over, this is mom just being frightened, and she doesn't mean to disrespect you.” Her fingers tentatively graze against mine. I grab her hand as if it’s a lifeline and calm the fuck down. “Mom,” Mia says glaring at her.
Tina raises her hands in surrender. “I’m sorry.” She doesn’t fucking sound it.
“Whatever, I’ve got a meeting. Dad, are you ready?” I’m going to find out what that asshole, that kept Mia prisoner, has to say. There’s only two things I need to know and I’ll be getting answers from him or he’s a dead man. Then again, depending what he says that could be the ending anyway.
“Yes, Son,” he replies bringing his cup to his lips and taking a sip of his drink.
“I’m coming.” There’s steel in her voice and I look down at Mia, her face is blank and she squeezes my hand.
