Page 17 of Curvy Desire's Second Shot

I let out a soft, bitter laugh. “You don’t have to say that.”

“I’m not saying it because I have to,” he said, his gaze locking with mine. “I’m saying it because it’s the truth.”

The sincerity in his voice cracked something inside me, and I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. I looked away, embarrassed, but Hudson reached out, his hand brushing mine.

“You deserve to see yourself the way I see you,” he said, his tone softer now. “Strong. Smart. Beautiful.”

I let out a shaky breath, my walls crumbling faster than I could rebuild them. “Hudson...”

“You don’t have to believe me,” he said, leaning closer. “But one day, I hope you will.”

His gaze dropped to mine, soft but steady. “You’re wrong, you know,” he said quietly.

“About what?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

“About what you think you’re worth.”

Chapter Fourteen

Hudson

I leaned against the counter in the small coffee shop where I was supposed to meet the contact. The place smelled of espresso and pastries, but I wasn’t here to enjoy the ambiance. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out to check the message.

“Five minutes. Corner table.”

I scanned the room, noting exits and the few customers scattered at the tables. It was a slow afternoon, and I hoped it stayed that way. The less attention we drew, the better.

Naomi was at the apartment, probably trying to distract herself with some book or movie. I hadn’t told her about this meeting—she didn’t need to know. Not yet. This lead was thin, but it was the first real connection to her ex that I’d found, and I wasn’t about to let it slip through my fingers.

The door opened, and I tensed automatically before relaxing when I recognized the man walking in. Jesse wasn’t the most reliable guy, but he had a knack for knowing things that mostpeople didn’t. He spotted me immediately and slid into the seat across from mine.

“You’re looking for info,” he said without preamble, his voice low. “I’ve got some, but it’s gonna cost you.”

“Depends on what you’ve got,” I replied, keeping my tone steady. “Start talking.”

He leaned forward, lowering his voice even more. “The guy you’re asking about—Naomi’s ex? He’s been sniffing around a group that’s bad news. They call themselves ‘The Fold.’ Ever heard of them?”

I frowned, the name ringing a faint bell. “Yeah. They’ve got a reputation.”

Jesse nodded. “Harassment, extortion, intimidation. They go after women mostly—vulnerable ones. And they don’t play fair.”

My jaw tightened, the anger simmering in my chest threatening to boil over. “What’s his connection to them?”

“Don’t know exactly,” Jesse said with a shrug. “But I’ve seen him hanging around their usual spots. He’s either working with them, or he’s trying to impress them. Either way, it’s not good.”

I leaned back in my chair, my mind racing. This wasn’t just about some bitter ex trying to make Naomi’s life miserable. If he was tied to The Fold, it meant this was bigger—more dangerous—than I’d thought.

“You sure about this?” I asked, my tone sharp.

“Positive,” Jesse said. “And if I were you, I’d watch my back. These guys don’t like being poked.”

“Thanks for the warning,” I said dryly, tossing a few bills on the table. “Keep your ears open. If you hear anything else, let me know.”

He nodded and left, disappearing out the door as quickly as he’d come. I sat there for a moment, processing what he’d told me. This changed everything. It wasn’t just about protectingNaomi anymore—it was about taking down a threat that wouldn’t stop until it got what it wanted.

I got backto the apartment later than I’d planned, and Naomi was waiting for me, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable.

“Where were you?” she asked.

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