Page 105 of Critical Mass
He wanted Colton to be aware of the situation, but he didn’t need to send in the calvary. Not yet.
The most important thing was that they stopped this shipment tonight.
Dimitri hauled Hudson into the hallway. As he did, Hudson caught a glimpse of Natalie’s door. It was still closed, no sign she knew what was happening.
“Natalie!” he shouted. “Natalie, don’t trust?—”
Dimitri’s hand clamped over his mouth, cutting off the warning. Hudson struggled, tried to break free, but the Russian’s grip was iron.
They descended the stairs—not toward the front door but toward the back of the house, toward the private dock where Ravenscroft kept his boats. The morning sun sparkled off the Lafayette River, peaceful and beautiful.
And completely at odds with what was happening.
Hopefully Colton heard all of that and would wait before sending backup.
CHAPTER
FIFTY-NINE
Natalie heard raisedvoices from down the hall—her father’s controlled tone, then Hudson’s voice, urgent and angry.
He’d shouted her name.
She opened her bedroom door and rushed out.
As she did, she collided with one of her father’s security guards. The man stood in the hallway, directly in front of her door.
Guarding her or making sure she stayed in place?
“What’s going on?” She scanned the hallway, but Hudson was nowhere to be seen. She’d definitely heard him a moment ago. “Where’s Timothy?”
“Your father would like to see you. In his study. Now.” The guard’s tone was polite but firm.
Natalie tried to move down the hallway, to see things with her own eyes.
But the guard stepped in front of her, effectively blocking her path.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded. This guy wasn’t supposed to be calling the shots.
“This way, please.”
She heard the finality in the guard’s tone. He wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Natalie glanced down the hallway again, praying that Hudson was okay.
Her gut told her he wasn’t.
Her heart pounded as she was escorted downstairs to her father’s study.
Something was very wrong. Hudson wouldn’t just shout and then disappear.
And the security guard’s manner suggested she wasn’t being invited.
She was being summoned.
But she had no idea why.
And she wasn’t sure she wanted to find out.
