Chapter 42
CHAPTER
FORTY-TWO
“Natalie?” Her father’s voice was sharp with surprise.
Natalie pulled back from Hudson, letting genuine embarrassment flood her face. “Dad! I’m sorry, I—we—”
“We were just—” Hudson’s voice was slightly breathless, and Natalie couldn’t tell if that was acting or genuine reaction. “I was just leaving the bathroom and Natalie found me, and we slipped inside the closest doorway and—”
“Got carried away,” Natalie finished, her cheeks burning. “I’m so sorry. That was inappropriate.”
Her father’s expression was unreadable as he looked between them. Natalie held her breath, wondering if he’d bought it, if he’d noticed Hudson’s phone still in his hand, if he’d seen anything that would make him suspicious.
He frowned. “Perhaps you two could save the . . . displays of affection for when you’re not in my home.”
“Of course, sir,” Hudson said. “My apologies.”
They left the study together, Natalie’s heart pounding so hard she thought everyone in the house could hear it. She’d just kissed Hudson—really kissed him—for the first time since learning his real identity.
And the worst part? For those few seconds when his arms were around her and his lips were on hers, she’d forgotten it was all pretend.
She’d forgotten to protect her heart.
And that terrified her more than anything else that had happened tonight.
After dinner, Hudson pulled up to Natalie’s house, the black sedan following at its usual distance.
But something felt wrong.
The men in that sedan weren’t moving like the security team from earlier.
They had different postures and positioning. They even had a different vehicle—this sedan was newer, cleaner, without the small dent in the front bumper he’d noted on the earlier one.
Had there been a shift change?
“Stay in the car,” Hudson said quietly as he put the Lexus in Park.
“What’s wrong?” Natalie’s eyes widened with alarm.
“Just stay here.”
Hudson stepped out, keeping his hand near his concealed weapon as the sedan’s doors opened.
Two men emerged—big and professional-looking, wearing the same dark suits as the earlier security team.
But these weren’t the same men.
“Evening.” Hudson kept his tone casual. “You guys switching shifts?”
“That’s right,” the taller one said. “Anderson and Childress got called to another assignment. We’re covering the rest of the night.”
The names were wrong. He’d overheard them talking earlier, and they’d referred to each other as Franklin and Pounders.
Hudson didn’t know who these guys were, but he could only assume they were the enemy.
His teammates should be close. He would need them now.
Until then, he had to play his cards just right.
Hudson pulled out his phone. “Mind if I verify that with Mr. Ravenscroft?”
“No need to bother him.” The second man moved closer. “We’re just doing our job and trying to keep the lady safe.”
“Then you won’t mind waiting while I confirm.” Hudson’s thumb hovered over Ravenscroft’s number.
The first man’s hand moved toward his jacket.
Most likely toward a weapon.
And Hudson knew he only had seconds to act.