Page 13 of One Quick Obsession

Hudson

Are you okay? I heard a shout.

I squeezed my eyes shut, blowing out my breath.

He had heard. I wasn’t alone.

I wasn’t alone.

Me

I’m fine. I just dropped a plate.

Hudson

Open your back door then.

Alarmed, I stood up, nearly fell down again, and looked out my kitchen window. Hudson stood there, staring at the mess I had left behind, and I wanted to curl into a ball and hide.

“I’m fine!” I called through the window.

Hudson turned to me and shook his head. “Are you sure?”

“Just go, okay?” He didn’t miss the crack in my voice.

He let out a breath and met my gaze through the window. “I need to see you. Just see you. Then I’ll go. Promise.”

I let out a breath, knowing he wouldn’t leave. He would sit there and wait. Or worse, maybe he thought somebody was inside with me and wanted to help. I didn’t want him to see me, but I was fine. Ronin hadn’t pushed me hard enough to bruise. At least I didn’t think so. And it wasn’t like the bruises would show up yet.

And doing something I knew I probably shouldn’t, but was the only thing I could do, I unlocked the door and slowly opened it. Hands fisted at his sides, he studied my face, before his gaze roamed over my body, as if checking for wounds. It wasn’t as if he was going to see them.

“Was he here?”

“He’s gone now,” I blurted. I hadn’t meant to say that. Hadn’t meant to think it.

“Do you want me to check the house?”

I froze, as I hadn’t thought of that or the full ramifications of Ronin being here, before I finally relaxed. “I’m fine. He’s not in the house. He was out on the deck, and I heard him leave.”

“Are you sure about that? I can check the property.”

“I can check my security cameras.” I cursed. “Which I should have done to begin with. Just like I should have called somebody when he first walked onto my porch. I should have had my phone near me. I didn’t think. I never think when it comes to him. And I hate it.”

“Scarlett. Don’t blame yourself. It’ll just piss me off.”

“People keep telling me not to put the blame on my shoulders, and yet, here we are.” I sighed. “And yes, pissing you off is something I never want to do.” Even I didn’t believe the sarcasm at that point and the look on Hudson’s face proved he didn’t either.

“If you’re sure you’re okay, I’m going to check around the property. And you should check the security cameras.” He paused, studied my face again. “And put ice on your shoulder.”

“How did you know?” I whispered, my voice breaking.

“He tore your shirt, Scar,” he whispered, before he leaned down and began to pick up the broken plate.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked, incredulous, ignoring the fact that Ronin had indeed torn my shirt and I hadn’t even noticed.

“Because somebody should. And I know you’ve got this on your own, but, as my family continues to tell me, you don’t have to.”

And with that, I knew I didn’t understand Hudson at all. But then again, I didn’t understand myself.