Chapter 26
HUDSON
Andrea holds herself stiff the whole ride home; as soon as the limo comes to a stop in front of the house, she moves to get out. “Andrea, wait.”
She gives me an impatient glance, and I sigh, knowing what I’m about to say will undo any progress I had made tonight. I drop my gaze to her ring finger, then back at her. “We’re in love. You need to make your brothers believe it. For their sakes.”
I’m not letting her go., I doubt that if they smell a hint of a ruse, they’ll back down. If they demand I release her, I won’t be responsible for what goes down. She’s mine, no one can change that now. She glares at me. “Do you think I don’t know that? I’m not a complete idiot, Hudson.”
Before I can say I don’t think she’s a complete idiot, she gets out of the car. I sigh again and follow her. “They’re in the study,” I tell her retreating back as her pace increases.
I nod at Crew to give us some privacy as we enter the study. “Ezra!” Andrea rushes to her brother who’s pacing the length of the room. He immediately snatches her into a tight hug. My hands form fists beside me. I have to remind myself he’s her brother. Of course they’re going to hug.
Behind them, Alex unfolds himself from the armchair next to my bookshelf. He glances at me coolly as he walks to Andrea and Ezra. “You were at Liquid Elixir the night before Ezra’s wedding,” he states and I nod. So, he remembers.
“What?” Ezra pushes back from Andrea to glare at me. “Why were you there?”
“To see me, dufus. Why else would he have been there?” Andrea rolls her eyes as she hugs Alex. “I told you that we met a few months ago and shared an…intense night. We parted on the assumption that it was a one-time thing., I didn’t have any way to contact him until he came back to my bar the night before your wedding.”
Andrea steps back from her brothers and flashes me a warm smile, “Wipe the frown off your face, Hudson, and come meet your in-laws.”
“In-laws,” Ezra chokes out. Andrea waves her ring finger in front of his face. My shoulders relax as I step into the study.
“I would have preferred a heads-up from my in-laws. Showing up out of the blue like this can be considered a lack of respect or even a threat in my world.”
“You’ll forgive our tardiness, Hudson. We were worried about our sister,” Alexander says. His expression is unreadable so I can’t tell if he believes our story or not. Not that it matters, either way. “But you wouldn’t understand that since you don’t have a sister.”
But I did. However briefly, I had a sister and know I would never allow her to just run off with some man, if she were still alive. “It’s Massimo,” I correct him. One brow goes up, but he inclines his head in acknowledgement.
“Tell me the truth, Andie,” Ezra says and whispers something into her ear. Trying to poison her against me? My hands form fists again, and I speak without thinking.
“Come here, pet.” I stretch my hand out to her.
“Pet?” Ezra growls.
Andrea rolls her eyes, but comes to me. I expect her to stop in front of me or by my side, but she walks right into my chest, tucking her head under my chin and murmurs so only I can hear, “You’re not acting pleasant enough, Hudson.”
I’m too stunned at the feel of her pert breasts pressed against my chest to react. Her scent overpowers my senses. I stare at her in an arrested silence, my lips slightly parted. She glances up, and her eyes dilate. “Much better,” she insists.
“Since it seems we’re going to be family, why don’t we all sit down and get to know each other,” Alex suggests.
Alex and Ezra sit next to each other on the sofa, and I take the armchair. Andrea goes to sit on the ottoman, but I grab her hand and guide her to my lap. Her breath hitches, and my gaze drops to her lips.
“When did you two meet, exactly?” Ezra asks glancing between Andrea and me skeptically. I raise my brows at Andrea. She lifts her left hand to my face, the light catching her ring as she rubs the tips of her fingers through my five o’clock shadow. My eyes flutter at the endearing touch, and I instinctually lean into her palm.
The corners of her lips tilt up as she turns to face her brother. “I already told you on the phone. He came into my bar one night. We both liked what we saw, and I took him up to my apartment. The end.”
“You mean to tell me you went into my sister’s bar without knowing who she was?” Ezra asks, his voice dripping with disbelief.
I anchor my arm around Andrea’s waist and drag her into my chest; her butt grazes my cock, which makes the damned thing stiffen immediately. Her gaze shoots to my face, and I smirk.
“Of course, I knew who she was. I went into her bar with nefarious purposes, but when I saw her, it was like being hit by a freight train; she took my breath away. Captivated me.” My gaze doesn’t leave Andrea’s as I answer him.
“And you did do nefarious things to me…on my bed,” Andrea whispers but she makes her voice loud enough to carry to her brothers.
“Alright. Alright. We don’t need the details. It seems we’ve misjudged the situation–”
“But Alex,” Ezra starts to interrupt but stops when Andrea raises her hands in the air.
“Great, you both misjudged the situation. Now that you’ve admitted that, what the fucking hell do you think you’re doing here, Ezra?” She pushes away from me, and I let her go.
She marches to her brother, hands on her waist. “Do you have any idea of the danger you’re putting yourself in? Not to mention Charlie, the babies! What if you’re seen? You’re supposed to be dead.” She whispers the word as she comes to a stop in front of him.
“I had to make sure you were okay. You didn’t think I’d just listen to you then sit back and do nothing while you could be in harm”s way, did you?” Ezra replies, getting to his feet. He tosses me a glare, “Despite this Oscar-worthy performance between you two, I still have my reservations.”
“Oh great, you thought I might be in danger and came here to risk getting hurt yourself, or worse dying. Did you even think about what that would do to your family?”
“Because it’s you, Andrea.” Ezra drops his hands to her shoulders and shakes her lightly. “I don’t care what happens to me as long as you’re okay. Charlie approved of this plan, for your information.”
“Then both you and Charlie are a pair of id–”
“That is quite enough, Andrea,” Alex interrupts, getting to his feet. “We’re here already. It’s done. I’m sure your fiancé would do everything in his power to make sure none of us get hurt.”
“Of course,” I say smoothly, also getting to my feet. “As long as you’re sure his face wasn’t detected.”
“I’m not a rookie, Massimo. I made sure no one would recognize me.”
“Can we talk to Andrea in private? I’m sure you can understand we still have some reservations.” Alex says.
I glance at Andrea who nods at me. “Of course.” I stretch my hands to her, and she comes to me immediately. I place my hand on the small of her back as I rub my face against her cheek. I murmur, “Get rid of them quickly, or will.”
Her hands come up to my shoulders and she digs her nails into my flesh, “Of course, darling.”
I chuckle, dropping a chaste kiss to her cheek. I nod at the men watching us and exit the study. I enter the nearest bedroom and unlock my phone to watch them. Of course, there’s a camera in my study. I wouldn’t have left them alone otherwise.
“This is unlike you, Andie. How do you expect us to believe you when you’re acting this way? Tell us the truth now while he’s gone, and we’ll find a way to get you out of here,” Ezra says urgently.
“What Ezra is saying,” Alex starts dryly. “Is that you’ve always been logical so we all knew what to expect. This is out of character for you, Andrea. You made it very clear all those years ago that you wanted no part in a life of crime; no amount of money or success was worth the cost to your soul. So, forgive us for being confused when you’re suddenly head over heels for the most notorious mafia boss in all of New England. If you’re in trouble, you have to tell us; we’ll get you out of it, no matter the cost.”
“Ugh, I don’t know how else to get through to you two.” Andrea starts to pace back and forth. “You’re both in love, you know how it feels. Can you be logical when it comes to your partners?”
“Andie,”
She interrupts Ezra with a laugh. “And you don’t really know Hudson if you think he can’t hear everything we’re saying. I promise you he’s watching us right now.”
I chuckle. Damn right, baby.
“Is that why you’re hesitating to talk to us?” Alex asks.
“No, I just want you to know you’re making terrible impressions on a man who’s going to be in our family for years to come,” she answers. She doesn’t even know how true that statement is.
“Let’s go, Ezra. As you can see, she doesn’t need rescuing.” Alex adjusts his cuffs, and I lock my phone. I’ve seen enough. Time to go get my girl.