Page 82 of Hale

“No,” I croak out, sitting up on my knees. “No. You’ve got it all wrong.”

“You’re going to prison for fucking life,” she hisses at him. “Say goodbye to her because this is the last you’ll ever see of her.”

“No!” I scream and run for him. I throw myself against him, but he’s already handcuffed and can’t hug me back. “Don’t arrest my brother! You can’t take my brother!”

“Rylie,” he chokes out.

One of the cops pulls me away from Hudson. Sobs wrack through me as they take him away from me.

“You’ll never see her again,” Aunt Becky hisses.

The room blurs as tears swim before me. I fall to the floor and cry hysterically. Aunt Becky tries to console me, but I kick away from her.

“Don’t do this,” I beg, my body shuddering. “Please.”

She glowers at me. “It’s been done. He’s sick and now you’re safe. I’ll keep you safe. He’ll never touch you again. I’ll make sure he stays away for life.”

Her words hit their intended mark and I shut down.

No.

I need him.

“We didn’t do anything wrong,” I whisper, my bottom lip wobbling wildly.

“He took advantage of you. I’m sorry, Rylie. Someone had to step in.”

Hudson

I’m in a zone when I’m booked in the local jail. My thoughts circling around her. RylieRylieRylie. Is she okay? Is she crying? Fuck. I’m bruised and everything fucking hurts, but my heart aches so badly.

I can’t do time.

I can’t be away from her.

“One phone call,” the deputy tells me.

Blinking away my daze, I follow him to the phone. With shaking hands, I dial a number I’ve had memorized since I was a teenager.

“Hello?”

“Amy. It’s me, Hudson.”

“Hudson? Why are you calling so late?”

“I need help. I need you to go get Rylie and keep her safe. Look out for her.”

“Why? Where are you? What happened?”

I let out a sigh. “I’m at the jail for—”

“Don’t say anything else,” she interrupts. “Here, talk to Dad.”

“Hello?” a sleepy voice greets.

“Mr. Kent.” I pause. “I’m in jail.”

“Shit, Hudson. What happened? Actually, don’t say anything until I get there to represent you.” I hear him shuffling. “Tell them your attorney is on the way.”