My phone chirps in the middle of the interview but I silence the call. Alice turns to me, her eyes clear and vivid, “Hudson, we both know it’s Missy. Please don’t leave her hanging.”
I nod and leave the room, calling my sister back. I keep it brief and simple, anxious to get back to Alice but when I walked in she was standing in the pit with Edwards with Bear close by, waiting to go. There’s a smile on her face when her eyes meet mine. I want to walk across the room and kiss her senseless but I refrain, needing to get her out of this building and on a plane home. I could kiss her senselessly when she’s safely tucked in next to me in our bed.
Shit, I swear to myself remembering who’s waiting for her. Telling her about her mother was something I didn’t know how to do but it needed to be done one way or another. I cross the pit to her, slipping my arm around her waist, glaring at the detective. Edwards’ smile vanishes and he shifts uncomfortably.
“Hudson,” Alice sighs and my dick twitches at the sound. “Is Missy alright?”
“She’s better,” I nod, meeting her eyes. Fact is my sister was a mess until I assured Alice was in one piece and we’d be home in a few hours. I turn back to the man standing across from us. “We done here?”
“Far as I’m concerned, self-defense,” he nods, narrowing his eyes on me. “Can we talk a second?”
“Precious, wait for me with Bear?” she nods and I shoot Bear a glance. He tenses a second before stepping towards us. I didn’t understand his aversion to Alice but I owed him after tonight, without his contact and lead we’d still be in Oregon. I just wish I could’ve gotten here sooner and been the one to kill the son of a bitch myself. I hated that it was Alice who would have to carry his death with her for the rest of her life.
“Detective, thank you for everything,” Alice moves and hugs him at his waist. His eyes meet mine and he tenses, worried I might throttle him for touching her but she lets go before either of us can react. She turns and leaves the room, Bear follows close behind.
Edwards places his hand in his hips and smirks, “You’ve got yourself a strong woman there Hudson.”
“Tell me about it,” I shake my head. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
“I’m concerned how easy it was to find out everything on Erik, we found nothing before today. Whoever was protecting him stopped,” he reaches behind him and hands me a manila folder. I open it, reading the first page. It’s an order to issue Alice a new life under a new alias. “Everything she’ll need to start over is right there, if she wants.”
“You think this will blow back on her?”
“Until we can find out who was protecting him, I’m not sure. It’s unclear what Alice knew of his operation. Chances are she knows something and it may not be today or even a year from now, but with that kind of information they might come looking.”
“How long does she have to make this choice?”
“The sooner the better,” he offers his hand and I take it, tucking the folder under my arm. “If I can do anything else for her, don’t hesitate to call.”
“Sure,” I nod and shake his hand. Taking a deep breath, I add this to my growing list of things to tell Alice. I decided no matter what she chose I would be right by her side. Even if it meant walking away from the only life I’ve ever known. She meant that much to me.
Walking out of the police station I shake off the remaining effects of today. It had been too close a call and I almost lost her. I tried to push the thoughts aside, refusing to obsess over them. I had more important things to worry about. Like taking care of her when everything finally sinks in and she realizes she took a man’s life. I couldn’t tell if she was in shock or if she really was alright, only time would tell. All I could do was wait and hope I was there to soften the blow.
Chapter 35
Alice
I slept the entire flight home. After realizing how tired I was after Hudson gave me a tour of the jet, I laid down on the huge king size bed and passed out cold, only to wake when Hudson carried me to his truck.
We were down the street from his house when he pulls over to the side of the road. I turn to look at him, confused. He fidgets in his seat, his face pale. I reach over and take his hand, noticing how clammy it is.
“What’s wrong?” I ask cautiously. Was he having thoughts about bringing me back now that it was over? I didn’t need his protection anymore.
“I’ve got to talk to you about something,” his voice is concerning but he eyes are on me, drinking me in like he hasn’t seen me in ages. He reaches behind us and pulls out a folder from his bag, handing it to me. “Edwards gave this to me after you left. It’s a new life, a new start. Erik’s associates are well hidden but if they ever feel like you might know something…”