Page 107 of Critical Mass
He’d failed. Failed the mission, failed his team, and most importantly, failed Natalie.
Because now she was alone with her father, with no one to protect her from the fallout of whatever Richard Ravenscroft had planned. Her father wouldn’t hurt her, but he’d put Natalie in a bad position—one that could get her killed.
Hudson’s teammates were either outside or on their way. But could they get through the security Ravenscroft had in place?
As his mind cleared, he worked through escape scenarios even as despair settled in his chest. Hudson was trapped, unable to help Natalie, unable to warn her, unable to do anything but work on escaping, and pray that his team could get to her before it was too late.
CHAPTER
SIXTY
Her father stoodby the window when Natalie entered his office, his back to her, hands clasped behind him.
The guard deposited her inside and shut the door.
She stepped closer to her father.
“Dad, what’s happening? Where’s Timothy?” She tried to keep the panic out of her voice but couldn’t.
“Sit down, Natalie,” he called over his shoulder, his voice mellow.
“I don’t want to sit down. I want to know?—”
“Sit. Down.” He turned fully toward her.
The command in his voice made her flinch.
This wasn’t her father the doting parent. This was Richard Ravenscroft the CEO, the man who commanded empires and expected obedience.
Natalie sat.
Her gaze traveled to his hand, and she saw a folder there. He opened it and placed it on the desk in front of her.
“Timothy Shaw doesn’t exist,” he said, his voice flat. “The man you’ve been dating is actually Hudson Roberts, an operative for a private military contractor called Blackout.”
Natalie stared at the photographs spilling from the folder. Hudson in tactical gear. Hudson with other armed men. Hudson in a huddle with unknown men.
Yes, she already knew who he really was. But the reminder still felt jarring at times.
She had to make a split-second decision.
Own up to the fact she knew?
Or play dumb?
Natalie swallowed hard and willed her arms not to shake.
She couldn’t just sit here thinking. She had to react. Otherwise, she’d give herself away.
“What are you talking about?” Her voice came out as a squeak.
Her father’s gaze narrowed. “I’m afraid Timothy—Hudson—has been using you to get information about me.”
“No.” She swung her head back and forth, trying to put on the show of her life. “He would never do that.”
“I’m sorry, baby girl.” His voice softened. “But he would. And he did. I’ve confirmed it.”
She stared at her father a moment before shaking her head again and looking in the distance. “I—I don’t know what to say. I need to talk to him. I need to hear this from his own lips.”
