Javier
After the day I’ve had, I don’t need to be dealing with Hudson and his anger. He had no right to allow Gabriella or anyone else out of the house. I left strict orders for everyone to stay inside. It’s not safe with the Twisted Hearts running around, and we don’t know where Triker is.
Chloe had a meltdown in the car, and we received notification the FBI is coordinating a search party with the Coast Guard to find Skates’ yacht since Casey Cline had a tracker in his house. They know the location of the boat in international waters. Chloe isn’t telling me everything she knows. Ryland has told her something, but I’m not pushing her. Beckett pretty much confirmed to me that Skates and Henry are dead, so I have my secrets as well. Sometimes it’s better not knowing or discussing something, and the details of whatever happened the day Henry forced Mia onto Skates’ yacht might be one of them.
I’ve wanted Skates dead. Chloe’s wanted him dead. The head of the FBI wanted him dead. I know in my gut that the only way Mia got on that boat was by force, and there is no way the Brooks brothers would kill unless it were to defend or protect. In my eyes, it’s justified, but I know if the FBI finds out, it may not be.
Gabriella is now my number-one priority, and Hudson better get it through his head that when I leave instructions meant to protect her that he better follow them, or I won’t be leaving her alone with him again.
Hudson and I sit across from each other. Both of us have our arms crossed and are scowling at the other.
“What happened at Casey’s?” Beckett asks.
“Nothing I’m able to tell you.”
Hudson snorts.
I lean into the table. “I’ll tell you what. You tell me what went down with Skates and who killed who and I’ll tell you what happened at Casey’s. Fair enough?”
Neither Hudson nor Beckett flinch.
Gotta give the Brooks brothers credit. They don’t scare easily.
I sit back in my seat. “Assuming Skates and Henry are no longer a threat, let’s talk about my only priority, which is keeping Gabriella safe from Triker.”
“She needs to know how to protect herself,” Hudson asserts. “We can’t watch over her twenty-four seven.”
“Especially when you can’t do it when you’re right in front of her,” I seethe.
“I was watching her,” Hudson claims.
“I told you to keep everyone inside.”
“I had it under control.”
“You should take what I say seriously. Triker is more dangerous than Skates.”
“No one is questioning that, but you can’t keep Gabriella inside. She needs to get fresh air and move around, or she’ll have a breakdown. There are things you don’t know about her.”
“He knows,” Beckett says.
Hudson blinks in surprise.
Yeah. Your sister and I aren’t just a blip on the radar.
Hudson turns to Beckett. “What does he know?”
“Everything,” I say.
“Then you know she can’t be cooped up. It isn’t good for her health.”
“She’s doing fine and has it under control. The bigger threat right now is Triker.”
“Bigger threat? Her mental health should be taken as a daily threat. She can’t go backward. She needed air after being inside for days, and I was only a few feet from her.”
“I specifically—”
“Are you two done having your pissing match?” Beckett asks.
I scrub my face with my hands.
“What’s the plan going forward? You both are right, so let’s stop fighting and do what’s best for Gabriella,” Beckett demands.
“I need to know she’s safe when I’m at work,” I tell them.
“I’ll watch her, but I won’t keep her cooped up so she goes down another black hole. You may know the details, but you never saw her like that,” Hudson says.
I don’t want Gabriella’s mental health affected, either. “Okay.”
“And she needs to quit her job. We can’t protect her there,” Hudson says.
“I already told her she’s not going back until it’s safe.”
He slowly nods. “Good.”
“I don’t think she should stay here unless one of us is. It’s better if she stays at one of our houses while this is going on. Connor isn’t in any position to watch over her,” Beckett says to Hudson.
“She’ll stay with me, wherever I am,” I growl.
“That’ll be up to her,” Hudson barks.
“Of course it will be, but she’ll stay with me.”
No way Gabriella isn’t going to want to be with me.
Hudson’s jaw clenches.
I’m over this.
“Gabriella and I are together. It’s not going to change. Get used to it because all you’re going to do is cause her stress.”
Hudson focuses on the wall.
“And we used to be on the same team. Whatever happened out on the water that makes you think we aren’t still, get over that, too.” I rise. “Things are probably going to get a little crazy the next few days with my work. I need to know Gabriella is safe.”
“Then make her learn to shoot,” Hudson says.
“I can’t make Gabriella do anything. You know that.”
“We’ll take care of her while you’re working. We won’t let her out of our sight,” Beckett says.
“Good. Make sure you don’t.”
“Of course, she’s our sister,” Hudson says. “But what are you going to do about Triker?”
“I’m working on that,” I say quickly.
“Work harder. That scumbag isn’t worthy enough to even know my sister’s name, much less touch her.”
“At least we agree on something.”