Page 108 of Carnival
“Dad.’’
Hudson’s eyes immediately change. He rushes forward, opening his arms for me. I fall into his embrace, his bigger frame encircling me perfectly. He hugs me tightly, my face buried in his chest. I let the tears fall, his shirt soaking them all up.
“It’s okay, sweetheart,’’ he murmurs against my head, pressing a kiss to the top of it. “I’ve got you.’’
His words only make me cry harder.
For years, I’ve tried to act like it didn’t bother me that I didn’t have parents growing up. I tried to reject any sort of parental relationship with Hudson and Noelle, just because I was so fucking scared of not being what they wanted, what they needed.
The thought of being a burden for them still haunts me, and it’s something I fear the most. They took me in with open arms and treated me like one of their own right off the bat, and I was a selfish brat to put them through so much.
“I’m so sorry,’’ I cry out, clutching the back of his blazer, hands trembling. “I’m so, so, so sorry.’’
“Let this be the last time you ever apologize for something that wasn’t your fault, Rosalie,’’ Hudson says, voice stern. He pulls back enough to look at me, and I already need more of his hugs. His eyes are filled with unshed tears, his lips pulled into a thin line. “I’m just so fucking happy that I didn’t lose one of my kids.’’
I can barely see him through the tears, and Hudson pulls me into another bone-crushing hug. I let it all out, weeping and wailing into his chest. He strokes my back softly, trying to soothe me. Hudson always smelled like fresh pine, and somehow, the familiar scent is much stronger now.
The fact that they all came for me means more than words could ever describe. The feeling of finally belonging somewhere, that I finally have my own village, is overwhelming. My heart almost bursts with all the emotions I can’t quite understand, but all I know is that I’ll never make them worry about me. Never again.
“I hate to interrupt the moment,’’ James announces his presence, not sounding apologetic at all. “But we really need to make a move on this before Vivian does.’’
Hudson pulls away reluctantly, his shoulders tensing at the mention of the woman. He nods, then glances down at me. His eyes skim over me, pausing to observe all the marks James left on me, brows narrowing.
“You bastard, what did you do to my daughter?”
James lifts his hand in faux surrender, a smirk on his lips. “Nothing she didn’t ask me to, I assure you.’’
“I should’ve killed you while I had the chance.’’
“Aw, are you saying I’m not your favorite in-law?” James’ voice drips with sarcasm, and I roll my eyes. This banter is something I’ve seen between Cove and Hudson already, although Cove’s is more on the quiet side, so it doesn’t happen as often. Something tells me this will become my day-to-day play to witness.
Hudson gags. “Absolutely the fuck not. Blair is the only acceptable daughter-in-law. You and Cove can fuck off right to hell.’’
James winks. “We’ll wait for you there.’’
“Alright,’’ I clap my hands together, drawing their attention to me. “Focus. Dad, have you tried to speak with the men that have the bombs?”
The title rolls off my tongue with ease, and Hudson’s eyes light up in happiness. He doesn’t comment on it, though. He probably doesn’t want to make it weird, and I appreciate it beyond words.
“Tried, yes,’’ he draws out, vaguely, before explaining. “All fifteen had their tongues cut off.’’
“Wait—fifteen?! There’s fifteen of them?!”
I don’t know whether to focus on the fact that their tongues have been cut off to prevent them from snitching or asking for help, or the fact that Vivian did such a monstrous thing to fifteen people. Fifteen.
Hudson nods, his expression solemn for a moment. “Yeah, there were fifteen of them. One of our men used to work for the EOD. The men don’t have detonators themselves. Their hands are in their pockets because they all have weapons to kill anyonewho tries to approach them. We managed to subdue four thus far, leaving eleven men.’’
“How hard are the bombs to detonate?” James asks, stepping closer.
“It took Neil twenty minutes for one. By now, Vivian’s probably noticed that she’s down four men. She’ll attack soon.’’
“Then, if Noelle’s looking for her, let’s focus on the evacuation process, too.’’
“You’re right.’’
I point toward the hill. “I think she’s there. I can’t be certain, though.’’
Hudson doesn’t even look at where I’m pointing. He pulls his phone out, and takes a picture of the hill, even from such a large distance, and then sends it to Noelle. He’s trusting my words blindly, and I can’t help but appreciate it.
