Page 22 of The Prey (The Hillers of Barratt County #6)

He noticed her the instant she entered the ballroom. It was like the air just changed. Hudson nodded at the man he was speaking to and then looked up. At the woman in a dark blue dress designed to make a man’s heart stop. She had just entered with that big blond pretty boy right at her side.

Hudson’s woman. Well, well, well.

He couldn’t keep the growl back. Lake was standing there, staring down at her like she was the answer to all his fantasies. Damn it. That was his woman right there.

Hendricks Barratt followed his gaze. “Someone you know?”

“You know she is.” The older man had a dry sarcastic sense of humor that came out occasionally. Always at the most inopportune time. “I knew she had another engagement tonight; I just didn’t know she’d be here . ”

“She looks very nice tonight. Giavonna’s always been a beautiful woman. I think her date believes so as well.”

“That she has.” And he was going to get her alone before the evening ended. That was his woman right there, after all. “And they are just friends . ”

“You seem to be a bit possessive,” Hendricks said. “She know that?”

“She’s…figuring it out. She’s with Lake tonight as a friend , I’ve heard. If you’ll excuse me, I need to go say hello.”

“Sure you do. Don’t make it too obvious.”

Hudson had known Hendricks Barratt since he’d first enrolled at FCU in the nationally recognized legal studies program. Hendricks was his mentor and his friend. But that knowing look was seriously irritating. Hendricks knew how to push buttons. “I can handle her myself just fine.”

“I’m sure you can. I remember a woman like that once. Really got under my skin. I married her and had four sons. Then the crazy woman took off into the sunset. Last I heard she’s living in Puerto Rico, being supported with my cash settlement. Tread cautiously.”

“I’ll do that. Have you thought about finding another one?

My first wife took off. The lure of saving the world was stronger than saving our marriage.

” And he didn’t truly blame Cindy for that.

He certainly understood how driven a career could make a person.

He just hadn’t wanted to make a career the only thing that mattered to him.

That had been confirmed once he had held that little boy for the first time.

“Considered it. But…haven’t met the woman who could make me change my routine enough now.

” And Hendricks was a man who greatly enjoyed his routine.

No denying that. Hudson was sure the man had OCD or something like that.

And his ex-wife’s abandonment had hurt him far more than Hendricks had ever let on, but Hudson understood.

They had that in common. “But finding one to spend some time with, well, I am fully open to that.”

“Well, I want more than that—with her . ”

“You just have to get her away from her date. I don’t know, Hudson, he’s a big guy; he may be able to take you down.”

“I’d like to see him try.” Hudson was already moving toward the woman he wanted. Hendricks could just find a woman to spend some time with tonight all by himself. Hudson was a man on a mission now.

“Don’t look, but I think that guy is about to steal you away from me,” Anthony said. Gia followed his gaze. Her stomach dropped. Immediately.

She yelped.

“I didn’t know he was going to be here.” Him. In a tux that made his shoulders look broader than all the other men surrounding him. Made him look…beautiful.

“Apparently, he is. You two involved? I wondered the other morning at the ranch. He watches you now, and seems a bit possessive.” Anthony put his hand on her back. They both saw Hudson’s face.

Yes, possessive was the word for it.

“I know. He’s somehow got it in his head that we are…

that…oh, I’m sure you can figure out what I mean.

He’s just complicating things.” That was an understatement.

He’d texted her the night before—just a simple “ Good night, Miss Gia!” text.

With a photo of an adorable mini version of himself grinning at the camera.

They were beautiful—no denying that. “He’s plotting against me; I’m sure of it. ”

It was the last thing she said before the man in question was right there next to her.

“Hudson. I didn’t know you’d be here.”

She strongly suspected the man had arranged things so he could.

She was wise to him now. The man wanted something—her; she wasn’t stupid, after all—and was determined to get exactly what he wanted.

She fought the shiver that caused. Just thinking about him getting her was enough to have her feeling things she definitely shouldn’t be feeling.

He had most certainly changed everything.

Gia wasn’t so certain she was good with change right now. Or ever.

Then he was right there, blocking their path. “Giavonna. You look…beautiful.”

The exact same words Anthony had said to her when he’d picked her up at the ranch. But… Anthony had not looked at her like that. Anthony didn’t make her shiver when he told her that. And Anthony didn’t look at her just like that, either.

“I came with Hendricks Barratt. We’re representing the law school alumni association. Since his brother’s family isn’t here tonight. Considering what happened to their family, Mac and his parents chose not to attend.”

“I spoke with Powell this morning. She’s asked that I handle a few clients for her in the meantime. Until her fiancé is back on his feet and she’s comfortable leaving him alone. She said he tends to get into trouble if she’s not watching him closely.”

“Having met him several times, I’m sure Detective Erickson does. But I’m pretty certain Powell is the one who tends to cause the most trouble,” Anthony said, pulling Gia’s attention back to him. “Hanan, good to see you again.”

Anthony put his arm around Gia’s waist and tucked her closer. He sent Hudson a challenging look. One just designed to be provoking.

Oh, boy.

Anthony was the quietest of Ronnie’s brothers—but he had a beyond wicked sense of humor when someone got him going. And he was by far the most unpredictable of the unpredictable Lake brothers.

“I’m taking some of Mac and Mason’s, if needed. Mac called and asked me this afternoon. After you’d left.”

She’d left the office early to get ready for tonight, after having missed a few days in between due to what had happened to her family.

And to…well…escape him. The man had been watching her, all day.

Just watching her from those devil eyes of his.

Not anything unprofessional, but when he had looked at her, all she could remember was kissing him. Twice. Or three times. Or…maybe a hundred, actually. She didn’t really remember now.

He looked perfect in his tux. His hair was a little longer than usual, though. It had a touch of curl. She suspected it was just as curly as his son’s. Whereas Ryan was utterly adorable…this man was not.

What he was, was on the hunt.

Damn him. He had changed everything.

What game was he really playing at?