Chapter 36
HUDSON
It’s odd how easy it is to fall into a pattern. It’s only been a couple of weeks since our cruise through the city and already we’ve fallen into a comfortable routine. For example, here I am in the closet, tugging on my tie while watching Andrea run a brush down the length of her hair. I am fantasizing about bending her over the vanity.
And that’s exactly what I did yesterday, and the day before that, and before that as well. I successfully seduced her in the shower this morning, so I suppose she’ll call me a sex fiend if I make a move now.
“What? You’re burning a hole through my back,” Andrea comments, tossing a glare my way. “Don’t tell me you’re getting turned on again, mister.”
I chuckle as I finish knotting my tie. “And what if I am? What are you going to do about it, Mrs. Moratti?”
“I’m not Mrs. Moratti…yet,” she points out, turning back to face the mirror. She picks up a hair band to tie her long strands.
“Don’t.” I walk up behind her and grab her hands to still them. “Leave your hair down.” I take the hair band and pocket it.
She rolls her eyes when I lean forward to place a soft kiss on her neck. “Seriously, Hudson, I can’t …you’re insatiable.”
“It’s your fault entirely. Why do you always have to look so delectable?” I nip her neck playfully.
She giggles, pushing my head away. “Get out of here. Crew is waiting. And I need to get in touch with Clara. You know, our wedding planner?”
“Fine, fine. Be that way.” I’m smiling as I leave her in the closet and make my way to the study.
“You’re late. I take it things are still going great with you and the missus?” Crew asks as I sink into my chair across from him.
“Fine,” I answer dismissively. We are fine. Great, even. Ever since the night I took Andrea on the sunset cruise a little over three weeks ago, we’ve been having a wonderful time together. Oh yes, we have the occasional argument. I’m convinced she thrives on chaos. For example, she was mad that I wasn’t fully involved in the wedding planning and because I preferred a white dress rather than the ivory Clara was trying to convince her to go with.
I sigh and tap open my tablet, to get on with the meeting.
“I looked into what the Rossi’s have been up to, like you asked, and finally found something,” Crew says. I glance up with interest.
Dominic and Tomasi Rossi have stepped down from their roles as don and underboss, respectively, after their attempt on my life at the engagement party. My men are expecting them to retaliate any moment, but they’ve been uncharacteristically quiet in the weeks since the incident.
“Okay and?” I ask with raised brows, sure there’s more he’s not telling me.
“Turns out they left the city after they stepped down. That’s why we couldn”t find their whereabouts, and they were smart about it too. Took a small amount of cash out of different accounts with different names, then skipped town.”
“Good riddance to bad rubbish,” I mutter and glance at my laptop. I’m surprised they ran so quickly. They’re probably planning something ridiculous for when they make their grand return.
“I think you should know–” he trails off and tosses a concerned glance over his shoulder.
“What? Out with it,” I demand when he hesitates.
“Collin reached out to me.” Collin is a man I planted in Brattleboro. “Seems there’s something going on with the Beauforts. They all rushed to the hospital late last night, and none have left. Is Andrea aware of that?”
No, she’s definitely not aware. My heart flies to my throat as I think of different possibilities. Is it John? Martha? I know John has high blood pressure and had an episode that landed him in the hospital briefly only a couple of months ago, so it’s most likely him. Fuck, Andrea isn’t going to take this well.
I sit up so fast that the chair spins behind me. Crew gives me a knowing look, but I ignore it. Just as I reach the door, it swings open, and there stands Andrea. All that lightness and humor from just a few minutes ago are gone. Her eyes are swollen and red, her bottom lip trembling. Her hair is disheveled like she’s been running her hands through it.
Her gaze meets mine and hardens. “You bastard,” she growls and slaps me. My head turns to the side with the force of the hit. My eyes meet Crew’s stunned gaze.
“Leave us,” I command; he rushes out like his clothes are on fire. I wait until the door is closed before I turn to face Andrea. “You don’t hit me in front of my men.”
“Do you think I care? I don’t give a rat’s ass about appearances right now, Hudson! While you’ve had me locked up here playing house with you, my family is moving on with their lives without me. Do you know what I just found out? Everyone’s been at the hospital since last night, last night, and I’m just finding out!” she cries.
Her eyes widen, “But you already knew that, didn’t you?”
I wince. “Andrea–”
“Charlie is lying in a hospital bed, miles away, fighting for her life and that of my nephews…and you kept it from me?!” she screams and starts punching my chest over and over.
“What? Andrea, wait.” I grab her hands and ask, “What happened to Charlotte?”
She gulps. “I don’t know. Her water broke suddenly and too soon. The babies aren’t full term for five more weeks. She’s been in labor for over nine hours, Hudson, and I’m just finding out.” She inhales sharply.
“Autumn said that they’re about to take her into the operating room for a Cesarean. She’s lost a lot of blood and the babies’ heartbeats are getting weak. They’re afraid she could lose one.” Her voice breaks, her lips still trembling.
“Shh,” I comfort her, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her to my chest. My heart is hurting at how desperate she looks. I hate seeing her like this.
“Do you know the worst part? I’m here when I should be there with my family,” she screeches and sniffles.
I am your family. I swallow the words, “Andrea, I can–”
She pushes me away before I can complete the sentence. “I don’t know why I thought I was no longer a prisoner here. I might be your fiancée, but it’s just a glorified title.”
“What are you talking abo–”
“I tried to leave Hudson! As soon as I got off the phone with Autumn, I tried to go home, thinking I was no longer a prisoner since I’ve been constantly leaving the grounds. But apparently, you gave orders not to let me leave unless you’re with me,” she growls, thrusting her hands into her hair in frustration.
Fuck. “That order was given to them when you just got here. I forgot to let them know you’re free to leave now and–”
“Enough, Hudson. Just, e-enough.” She crumbles to the floor, sobbing.
“Andrea.” I go to my knees in front of her.
“Don’t touch me.” She scrambles away; if she’d taken a knife to filet me, it would have hurt less than watching her flinch at my touch. “Don’t ever touch me again, you bastard.”
My hands are clenched into fists and I swallow, helplessly watching her as she breaks down in front of me. My chest gets tighter with every heart-wrenching sound that escapes her lips. The more she cries, the tighter my chest feels and the harder it is for me to breathe. I realize I’ll have to let her go. I try to pat her knees but she draws them to her chest without looking at me.
My heart throbbing, I get up and walk to my desk. I pick up my phone. Tanner picks up on the first ring. “Bring the Jeep around. You’re driving Andrea to Brattleboro. Hurry.”
Her sobs subside, and she slowly raises her head to look at me. I try to smile at her through the pain…fuck the pain. Why does it hurt so much to breathe? “Go be with your family.”
She sniffs, wiping her eyes as she gets to her feet. Ask me to go with you. Please ask.
“Our wedding is next weekend,” she announces hoarsely. “I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it.” I nod mutely. My phone chimes with a text from Tanner.
“He’s outside with the Jeep,” I tell her.
She hesitates before asking, “You’re really letting me go? Why?”
She gives me a questioning glance, and so many words swirl in my head, “You need to be with your family, and they most likely need you as well,” I manage to say despite the lump in my throat. I need you too. Fuck, I don’t realize just how true that is until I’m faced with the possibility of losing her.
“Thank you,” she whispers before turning to leave.