Page 101 of Critical Mass
She took a breath, steadying herself.
“I know I said there’s no future for us. I know you lied to me, and I can’t forget that. But right now, you’re the only person who might actually help me without an agenda. So I’m asking—will you help me leave? Or are you going to try to convince me to stay because it serves your mission?”
The question hung between them, weighted with everything that had been said in her room just minutes ago.
CHAPTER
FIFTY-SIX
Hudson’s trainingtold him this was a bad idea.
Natalie leaving the estate would expose her to whoever was hunting her. Would put her at risk. Would potentially compromise the operation.
But his conscience—the part of him that had been screaming since this operation started—told him something different.
Natalie was asking him to respect her choice. To trust her judgment. To help her take control of her own life instead of trying to control it for her.
It was exactly what she’d said she needed from a man. What she deserved.
And if he said no, if he tried to convince her to stay for the sake of the mission, he’d be proving her right—that he was just another person who thought he knew better than she did.
Hudson looked at her face, at the determination mixed with fear, at the way she was standing like she’d bolt if he gave the wrong answer.
He made his decision.
“Okay,” he said quietly. “I’ll help you. But we need to do this smart. Your father’s security is everywhere, and whoever tried to grab you earlier might still be watching the house.”
Relief flooded Natalie’s expression, followed quickly by surprise. “You’re not going to argue with me? Try to talk me out of it?”
“You’re right—you deserve to make your own choices. Even if I think they’re dangerous.” Hudson glanced down the hallway, then back at her. “Give me five minutes to grab my gear and figure out the best exit route. Can you be ready?”
“I’m ready now. I don’t need to take anything with me.”
“Okay then. Let’s get out of here.” Hudson started gathering his gear.
“Really?” Natalie paused, a strange look in her gaze. “Thank you. For not trying to control me. For just . . . helping.”
“That’s what you deserved from the beginning. I’m sorry it took me this long to figure that out.”
She studied his face, something unreadable in her expression.
Natalie Ravenscroft deserved someone in her corner who actually respected her choices.
And if that someone had to be the man who’d lied to her for three months, then maybe—just maybe—he could start making amends.
Natalie’s heart hammered against her ribs as she and Hudson left his room.
The hallway stretched before them, elegant and empty. Too empty. Her footsteps echoed on the marble floors—had they always been this loud?
“Stay close to me,” Hudson murmured as they approached the grand staircase. His eyes scanned everything, his bodypositioned slightly in front of hers. Protective. “If anyone tries to stop us, let me handle it.”
“Hudson, I don’t want you to?—”
“I know. But I will if I have to.”
They descended the stairs quickly but not running—running would draw attention. Natalie’s phone buzzed incessantly in her purse. Text after text from her father. She ignored them all.
The foyer came into view. The massive double doors that led to freedom were just ahead. Thirty feet. Twenty.
