I nodded and entered the kitchen. “Yes.”
He relaxed, but only slightly. “How much did you hear?”
Terror seized me. I knew it was a private conversation. I shouldn’t have come in. “N-nothing.” I hated that my voice shook. It made it sound like I was lying. Would he tell Cobra I was snooping?
Hudson studied me for a second and then nodded. “I believe you. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” He looked around outside the kitchen and then closed the door behind us. “Did Cobra let you out or did you sneak out?” He raised an eyebrow at me. “I wouldn’t blame you either way.”
I felt myself relax a little while talking to him. Hudson was nice. At least, he was the nicest person I’ve met while he was here. “He let me,” I said. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know anyone else was here.”
“Why would you? It’s usually empty at this time.”
“I can stay outside while you finish up if you want.” I felt like an intruder. He obviously wanted to be alone right now.”
He shook his head. “No. Have a seat, actually. I’ll cook something for you.”
I stared at him. “You’ll… cook something?”
He smirked slightly. “What? Think I can’t cook?”
I flushed and looked down. “No, I didn’t mean that. I…” I trailed off, not knowing what to say.
He put two fingers under my chin and gently lifted my chin so I was forced to look at him. “Relax, baby girl. I won’t hurt you. And I won’t ever be mad at you. Understand?”
It was difficult to believe. He was a Demon, after all. But I knew he wanted me to agree. I smiled slightly and forced myself to relax. “Yes, Daddy.”
He let me go and turned away. I could have sworn I saw him wince a little when I called him that. I wondered why. We were alone, after all. He asked me to call him Daddy when we were alone. “Sit down. I’ll cook you something, baby girl.”
I sat down at the kitchen table while he got a frying pan out of the cupboard. The community kitchen in the compound was fully stocked even though I never saw anyone actually cooking in it. Most of the bikers got delivery or just made microwave meals.
But Hudson seemed perfectly at ease in the kitchen as got out some bread and cheese as well as a can of soup. As he started to cook, I realized he was making me grilled cheese and tomato soup. I smiled softly. I couldn’t remember the last time I had this meal, but it had always been one of my comfort meals as a kid.
I waited silently as he cooked. The food let out an aroma that made my stomach grumble hard. It had been a while since I had a real meal and my body was ready for it.
When the food was finished, he set the plate of food down in front of me. I dug in. I groaned as I took the first bite. It tasted like absolute heaven.
Hudson watched me with a slight smile on his face. I remember how he said he got off on taking care of his partners. I wondered if that’s why he enjoyed this so much. I appreciated it either way.
By the time I was finished, I felt full and relaxed. I looked up at him. “Thank you, Daddy.”
“It’s my pleasure, baby girl,” he said softly. “Do you have room for dessert?”
I blinked. “You have dessert?”
He opened a cupboard and pulled out a huge coffee can. He put it on the table and opened the can to show it full of whole coffee beans. I frowned. The kitchen didn’t have a coffee grinder. “Don’t tell anyone. I have to hide them.” He pulled out a small bag of Little Debbie mini brownies.
My eyes widened at the sight. “I haven’t had one of these since I was a kid,” I said.
“Well, now you can have two.” He took two of them out of the bag and placed them on my empty plate.
I looked up at him, hesitantly. “Are you sure? This is your secret stash after all.”
“I’m positive, baby girl. I want to share these with you.”
I bit into the first one, savoring it. I knew Hudson was watching me the entire time, looking pleased with himself. I snuck a glance at him as I took a bite of the second one. “Why are you here?” I blurted out.
His smile dropped and I realized I was being nosy. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I just mean you seem so much nicer than the rest of the Demons. I can’t imagine you get along with them.”
He relaxed, but only a little. The easy atmosphere from earlier was gone. “I don’t, not really. But I needed the money and a place to live. Cobra provided that for me.”