Page 35 of Dead Devil's Playground
"Where the hell—" I begin, but Kai grabs my arm, pointing toward a cluster of trees about twenty yards away.
That's when I spot them. Hudson is sitting with his back against a large oak, looking out over the city. And cradled in his arms, head resting against his chest, is Rylan. Even from this distance, I can see the steady rise and fall of her chest as she sleeps.
Something in me unclenches at the sight, anger giving way to relief so profound it's almost dizzying. I approach them quietly, Kai following close behind.
Hudson looks up as we near, his expression guarded. He doesn't move, careful not to disturb Rylan's sleep.
"Thanks for sending us the message," I say, keeping my voice low as I crouch down beside them. I brush a strand of teal hair from Rylan's face, noting the peaceful expression that's been absent for too long. "How'd you manage this miracle?"
Hudson's mouth quirks in what might be a smile. "I may have helped her reach the end of her rope."
I notice the faint bruising around her throat then, the small marks peeking out from beneath her chin. The scent hits me next—sex and sweat, them, mingled together. I'm not surprised. We've seen this building for years, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a knife.
"She's going to be furious with you when she wakes up," I observe, running my thumb lightly over her cheek.
Hudson gives a half-shrug that speaks volumes. "Don't care. As long as she gets some fucking sleep, I can take her fury."
I grin, unable to help myself. "I bet you can." My eyes flick meaningfully to the marks on her skin, the rumpled state of her clothes, the way her body fits against his like she belongs there. Not that we care—hell, we were the ones to encourage it in the first place. Some things need to burn themselves out, and the fire between these two has been smoldering for too long.
Kai crouches on Hudson's other side, his expression a mix of amusement and concern. "How long has she been out?"
"About half an hour," Hudson replies, his arm tightening slightly around her sleeping form. "Dead to the world the moment she went under."
"You know she's going to try to kill you for that little trick," Kai says, though there's no heat in his voice. "She hates feeling vulnerable."
"Let her try," Hudson murmurs, his eyes dropping to Rylan's face with an expression that makes my chest tighten. It's the same way Kai and I look at her—like she's the center of our universe, like we'd burn the world to ash to keep her safe.
"Did she see the coffee shop?" I ask, settling more comfortably on the ground.
Hudson nods grimly. "That's where I found her. She was about to cross the police line when I intercepted her."
"And you brought her here instead of home?" Kai raises an eyebrow.
"She needed to break," Hudson says simply. "Somewhere away from everything. Somewhere she could let go without worrying about appearances."
I understand immediately. Rylan never allows herself to be weak in our territory—not where others might see, not where it might undermine the image we've carefully constructed. Out here, miles from the city, she could finally surrender to the exhaustion that's been dogging her for days.
"Smart," I acknowledge. "We should get her home, though. She'll be more comfortable in her own bed."
Hudson hesitates, looking down at her sleeping form. "I don't want to wake her. She needs this."
There's a protectiveness in his voice that I recognize—it's the same fierce devotion that drives Kai and me. It should make me jealous, this man holding what's ours, but instead, it feels right. Like a piece clicking into place that we didn't know was missing.
"We'll carry her to the car," I decide, standing up. "You can ride with her in the back seat. Kai will take his bike."
Kai nods his agreement, already heading toward the motorcycle. Hudson rises carefully, cradling Rylan against hischest. She stirs slightly but doesn't wake, her face pressing into his neck as if seeking his warmth even in sleep.
As we walk back to the SUV, I can't help but study them. The way his arms cradle her so securely, the way her body fits against his like she was made to be there. She is so tiny against him. There's something primal in the sight, something that satisfies a part of me I didn't know needed satisfying.
"You did good," I tell him as he slides into the back seat, still holding her. "With her. And with all of this. We couldn't have handled it without you."
He looks up, surprise flashing across his face before his expression settles back into its usual stoic mask. "Just doing my job."
I laugh softly, shaking my head. "No, you're not. And we all know it."
I close the door before he can respond, circling around to the driver's side. Through the window, I can see him adjusting his position, making sure Rylan is comfortable against him. His hand strokes her hair in a gesture so tender it makes my chest ache.
As I start the engine, I catch Kai's eye in the side mirror. He's already on the bike, watching the scene in the back seat with the same knowing expression I feel on my own face.
