Page 60 of Stolen Bride for the Don

“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.”

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