Page 77 of Stealthy Seduction
One more layer to Cipher’s twisted personality—even his methods of imprisonment were elaborate, designed to impress and intimidate.
Once she was free, she reached for him, but stopped herself, seeing that this wasn’therHudson right now—this was Steele. A SEAL. Part of the Blackout Charlie team.
A dead man walking.
Hudson led the way with his weapon ready. But when they reached the shipping container, it was empty except for a spreading pool of blood and the overturned chairs.
“Son of a bitch.” Hudson dropped to one knee beside the blood trail that led toward the exit. “I got him in the clavicle, did some damage, but not enough.”
“Thank god.” She couldn’t believe she was happy that Cipher was still living—or had been when he dragged himself out.
Hudson’s jaw was tight as he stood. “I need to follow him, but I can’t leave you unprotected.”
She gulped. Then a crazy idea struck. “Lock me in the container while you search for him.”
His grim expression and the darkening of his eyes told her that he would reject the plan before he ever shook his head.
She reached for him, grabbing his shoulders. The solid, warm muscle reminded her of how far they’d come together and how far they could go.
“Do it, Hudson. I’ll be fine.”
When he didn’t react, she squeezed his shoulders, her hands tingling with the rush of blood flow.“Please.”
Moments later, she was enclosed in the blackness of the container, the door firmly shut. It was impossible not to think about Syria, how she’d been locked in a dark space with the rest of the hostages.
She thought she would break then, but she hadn’t. Now she was even stronger.
She could survive this too.
What felt like an hour but could have only been minutes later, the door screeched open. She backed against the wall, blinking at the sudden brightness and the tall form of Hudson.
“He’s gone. Tracked the blood. Looks like he took off in a vehicle.”
She felt weak with relief, though what she was relieved over was confusing as hell.
She stumbled forward, and Hudson met her. When he wrapped his arms around her, she gripped him with all the strength she had left.
“Where’s the team? Mason and Sinner and Chase? The others?”
He cradled her head against his chest. “I came alone.”
“W-what?” She lifted her head to look up at him.
“I disobeyed a direct order. Went rogue. And didn’t even bring in the terrorist.” He looked at her with something like regret. “Dante was in my ear telling me to take the shot clean, but then Con ordered me to stop.”
“Because Cipher told him about the other bombs he’d detonate if he’s killed. A chain that would go all around the world. Hudson…I’m so sorry I put you in this situation. That I put myself in danger and you had to go against orders to save me.”
Hudson met her gaze, and in his eyes she saw every choice that had led them to this moment. “I would do anything for you.”
The simple words carried more weight than any declaration of love, more meaning than any promise he could have made.
But they also carried the bitter taste of consequences that hadn’t yet come due.
Slowly, he withdrew the crystal necklace she’d given him and slipped it over her neck.
One hand came up to clasp it, then she dropped it and cupped his jaw instead. “Thank you…but I’m not sure I need it so much anymore.”
He lifted her in his arms, his lips trailing lightly over her hair for a heartbeat before he carried her out through the maze of shipping containers to a waiting car.
