“Yes,” Kevin replies. “Do you know him?”
“So you and Martin are a thing?” Jagger asks, disgust in his voice.
“Yes, have been for years. How do you know Martin? Why are you so disgusted? Welcome to the twenty first century.” Kevin sounds as though he’s in shock.
I’m a bit confused at Jagger, love is love and he shouldn’t be disgusted that Martin and Kevin are together.
“You’re still protecting the animal, I don’t give a fuck if he likes pussy or dick. What I give a fuck about is that he violated a woman that I care about and he shot another.”
That’s why he’s so disgusted, because Martin hurt me, and because Martin has betrayed Hudson.
“What’s Martin’s plan?” Hudson asks, he’s regained his composure. I pull away but he doesn’t let me go, he pulls me back against his body.
“I don’t know, I haven’t spoken to him in a few days.” Kevin’s lost all the fight he had. He’s just a man that’s in love and has been used.
“Fine,” Hudson growls. “Jagger, take our guest out and bring one of the others in.”
Jagger lifts Kevin from the chair and drags him out of the room, as he does he hits the switch and the room’s instantly illuminated. I blink harshly as I adjust to the light.
“Leave us,” Hudson says and as one the rest of the men leave the room.
“Are you okay?” I ask as soon as we have the room to ourselves.
He laughs. “That’s what I was going to ask you. Why wouldn’t I be?”
My hands slide up to his face, I frame his head with my fingers. “You just found out that a man you trusted betrayed you. That has to hurt.”
He presses a soft kiss against my nose, I tug his head down so that his lips are touching mine. “Princess, I’m done with him, I’m pissed that an innocent man was killed because of the lies he told.”
“Who?” The word is out of my mouth before I can stop myself.
“Barney.” His answers sounds tortured and it hits me like a tonne of bricks. Barney? Why would he think it was Barney? I don’t dare say anything, I can tell he’s already regretting his decision in doing so.
“Oh, Hudson,” I whisper, lying my head against his chest. My heart aches for him, knowing that he killed a man he considered a friend.
“I fucked up with Barney but he kept things from me, things didn’t add up. He died because he lied when I needed absolute honesty. Martin however is going to die a slow and painful death. What he did to you is unforgivable.”
“I love you so much, I wouldn’t be this strong without you.” It’s true, he gives me a strength I didn’t know was possible.
“Bullshit.” He smirks, “Princess, I’m proud of you, you managed to get that shit out of Kevin. You did so by opening your wound and bleeding. I didn’t want that for you.”
I kiss him again. “I know you didn’t but I didn’t bleed, being able to say those words out loud. It healed my wound slightly. We needed to find out who was behind it all and Kevin was never going to tell you.”
“I know, if you hadn’t spoken he would have died keeping that secret. You’re fucking amazing. I’m proud of you, Baby.”
I smile, letting his praise soak in. “Thank you.”
“When the next man comes in, you don’t utter a word. He’s a professional and he’ll do whatever he can to rile us. That includes you too. So stay hidden and don’t say a word.”
“I’ll stay hidden.” I promise him, and step back against the wall.
“Enter,” Hudson yells and Harrison walks in and switches the lights off in the room. Once again I’m shrouded in darkness.
Fifteen
Hudson
The light flickers above this asshole’s head, the electricity flowing through his body. We’ve been at this for two hours and he’s still not said a word. Not once has he wavered. It’s not a smart move, especially as we already know who has set this up, all I want to know is where Martin is now and what his next move is. I’m sick of being one step behind this fucker, now he’s no longer anonymous I’m going to stop him in his tracks. He doesn’t know that I have uncovered the truth, there’s nowhere for him to hide, I’m coming for him and he’s in for a rude awakening once I find him.