Page 8 of Critical Mass
He knew exactly where he’d head.
He’d lead the person following him into a trap.
Then he’d demand answers.
He’d demand they leave Natalie alone. He’d insist she knew nothing about him and who he really was—because she didn’t.
Hudson kept heading down the narrow road, his muscles tightening as he prepared himself for whatever might happen next.
CHAPTER
FOUR
Natalie’s handscontinued to shake against the steering wheel as she kept following Timothy into the darkness, into the unknown.
She couldn’t think of one single reason why he’d head this way.
Unless . . . what if he was meeting another woman?
The thought caused a knot to lodge in her throat.
Hudson wasn’t the type to cheat.
Right?
Her gut told her he wasn’t that kind of guy.
Still, doubt twisted in her chest. She’d been wrong so many times before in previous relationships. Why not now also?
Maybe her father was right.
Maybe Timothywasn’twho he claimed to be.
Then again, her father had secrets too. She’d noticed the phone calls that ended abruptly when she entered the room, business trips that didn’t quite add up, and associates who looked more like security than corporate executives.
She loved her father, but she’d learned not to ask too many questions about his work. He claimed he didn’t like to talk aboutcertain things, and she’d brushed those moments off as simply business.
She wasn’t made to be cutthroat like her father—like a person leading an international business. That was why she simply preferred to work in communications and not know the fine details of her father’s operations.
Apparently, working in shipping could make you a lot of enemies—and a lot of money.
Natalie’s mom had died fifteen years ago—cancer—and Natalie had been their only child.
She knew that was part of the reason her dad was so protective of her. But still, she had her limits.
Following Timothy’s car through the darkness, Natalie wondered if she was making a huge mistake. Yet she wasn’t ready to turn back yet.
She had to know the truth, and she prayed when she discovered that truth her fears would be eased and she’d have a good laugh about this. She prayed this was all a misunderstanding.
After all, she and Timothy had bonded over their faith. She’d told him on their first official date how important God and church was to her. She hadn’t grown up with either, but after her mom died, one of her nannies had talked to her about God.
It had been a long process, but she’d finally become a believer.
Her faith was the only thing that sustained her at times.
Finally, Timothy’s car slowed and turned toward the water.
The water?
