Page 23 of The Prey (The Hillers of Barratt County #6)

It took Hudson over an hour to stalk his woman around the ballroom.

Hudson kept somehow finding himself dancing with various women he’d met, but didn’t know well—most of them married.

Half of them were from the table where Giavonna had been hiding.

He suspected there was some sort of woman-led conspiracy against him at the moment.

Hendricks, a man he’d long considered a friend until this very night, was snickering at him most of the time. Until Hudson saw Hendricks with her. How interesting. Hudson just stood and watched Hendricks floundering for a moment.

The most terrifyingly strict woman to have ever sat the bench in this region of Texas was arguing with Hendricks off to one side of the table now, two beautiful young women who looked remarkably like her just standing there watching, wide-eyed.

Hudson shuddered as what he was seeing sank in— Judge Collins was a woman. An actual human woman.

A terrifying one—but he would admit, she looked really nice in that slinky black dress that showed far too much Judge Collins for him to think about. Judge Collins belonged in black robes, not far too skimpy black cocktail dresses like that.

The last week in her courtroom—he had four cases including the one with Clarke in front of her now—had just proven that. But…she was fair and she applied the rule of law with rational, logical, ethical and effective precision. Razor sharp claws, though.

She just scared a man. That was all.

The idea that she’d reproduced multiple times? That was terrifying to consider. And those definitely had to be her daughters, from the resemblance.

Hendricks looked all hot under the collar as she was saying something to him Hendricks obviously didn’t like.

Two of Hendricks’s older sons were watching, too.

They were obviously enjoying the show. Even Murdoch Lake, a detective Hudson had met many times before, and his wife were watching the spectacle. Lake was laughing like a lunatic.

Hudson finally headed toward the woman he wanted. He dropped into the chair beside her. “So…what’s that all about? What’s going on with Hendricks and Judge Collins?”

“Apparently, Scary Judge Collins—who utterly adores me, of course—knows Hendricks well. They have tangled before. And I don’t think it went well for him at all, strangely enough,” Murdoch said. “I can only imagine how. It’s going to be a very entertaining night…”

Well, Hudson certainly hoped so. And Hendricks was getting what he deserved. He’d been smirking at Hudson all night—well, let Hendricks smirk now. Judge Collins would decimate Hendricks Barratt. It wouldn’t ever be a fair fight at all. But…Hudson had another far-too-beautiful woman to focus on now.

Hudson Hanan was an ass. She had thought it before—she was going to keep thinking that. No matter how beautiful he was in his tux.

Gia had been deliberately avoiding him ever since he had inserted himself at their table. Anthony—the rat—was obviously amused by her irritation. The quietest of the Lake brothers, but probably the most irritating. She decided that as the night progressed.

If Ronnie ever wanted to chuck Anthony out a window, Gia would so help her make that happen.

They were seated with Anthony’s brother Murdoch now, his wife Zoey, and some of Zoey’s relatives—including the doctor Genny and Aubrey worked for.

Caine Alvaro was a kind man, as big as Hudson, who absolutely adored his wife.

Gia knew his wife well. They attended the same group sessions at W4HAV.

Nikkie Jean led one of the support groups for attempted rape survivors.

Gia—and Hala—had been attending for over a year.

Hudson was right next to her. His arm rested behind her chair. He and Anthony had waged a quiet war over who got to claim that territory, apparently. Hudson seemed to have won this round.

Men could be such buttheads. She should’ve remembered that after growing up with five brothers—but Anthony and Hudson had only reinforced the lesson tonight.

Anthony leaned forward. “Are you ready to finally dance with the man who brought you?”

She’d danced with others tonight, of course—including Hendricks Barratt, her friend Powell’s uncle. Powell had been through utter hell lately, and Gia had wanted an update. She’d called a few days ago, but Powell was the kind to keep things to herself.

Gia had wanted the truth.

Hendricks—unlike her date and her supervisor—was a complete gentleman. She stood, ready to dance with Anthony and give the blond monster a piece of her mind, when the phone in his tux jacket buzzed.

He’d already told her he was on call—fourth on the list—for the hospital where he worked.

He pulled his phone free. “It’s the hospital.”

Nikkie Jean stood at the same time as her phone also chimed. “Looks like everyone one through fifteen is getting called in. Multi-vehicle accident.”

The mood at the table turned somber instantly. Gia looked at Anthony. He’d told her it was a possibility he’d get called in but not likely. She understood how the doctor life worked—she had a doctor big brother, after all. She just said a quick prayer for the patients who needed them all now.

“They’re calling in every ER doctor. Even those who aren’t on the schedule. I’m so sorry.”

She just shook her head. This was the life of a doctor. She understood.

“Go,” Gia said. “I’ll find another ride home. If nothing else, I’ll call Grady or Gene. They’ll come get me.”

“I hate to leave you like this.”

“Go, bro,” Murdoch said. “I’ll make sure she gets home safely.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.” Anthony squeezed her shoulder briefly. “I’m sorry.”

“Just get going. Other people need you far more than I do. Go.”

Anthony and both Doctors Alvaro rushed off toward the exit, leaving her with Murdoch, Zoey and Hudson Hanan himself.

“So…” Murdoch said, shooting her a look she didn’t need translated. “You’re driving back to Value tonight, Counselor Hanan, I assume?”

Gia’s stomach clenched. Of course he was—he lived less than five minutes away from the ranch. Of course he was. She strongly suspected she knew what was about to happen. And…there really wasn’t a way for her to escape it now.

“Would you please drive our precious little Gia home on your way?” Murdoch continued, tone now full of exaggerated innocence.

Gia wanted to kick him. “Since my wife and I live in the complete opposite direction. Our robo-house needs us and all. And we probably need to get home to the kidlings. Tuck them all in before I tuck my sleepy little wifey in myself.”

Zoey rolled her eyes, but said nothing. Any woman who married a Lake man definitely had to be a remarkably tolerant woman. Gia fully believed that now.

“I think we can probably trust you to make sure our precious Gia gets to where she belongs.” Murdoch just wouldn’t stop. Gia really was going to kick him someday.

She started to protest, but the rat next to her spoke first.

“Of course. I’d be happy to drive her home. I’ve learned my son is already at Gia’s house tonight anyway…”

“Ryan’s at the ranch?” Gia asked. The last she’d heard, Ryan was having a sleepover with Aunt Hala at Hala’s apartment.

“Hala texted me an hour ago. Grady drove over and picked Hala and Ryan up for the night. Something about marshmallows with Calvin, and going on an adventure to see an old magical pony who lives under the moon and sometimes grows wings.”

“I didn’t know that,” Gia said. “The only pony we have is the one most of us learned to ride on. She’s Grady’s precious baby. He’s probably taking the boys up to tuck her in for the night or something again.”

Her brother liked to make up stories to tell Calvin at night. Gia had recorded some of them. She was working on illustrations in her spare time. She planned to have them printed into a hardback book one day. Just for Grady to have for his own children someday. And for Calvin to keep and remember.

“Well, I haven’t exactly had the chance to speak with you alone, have I? You haven’t danced with me even once.”

“And I’m not going to. You have been a butthead all night and you know it.” The last thing she wanted was to be pressed up against Hudson Hanan tonight. Everyone around them went quiet.

“Well, that settles it,” Murdoch said. “Hudson will gladly take Gia home. Perfect.”

She was cornered, and they all knew it.

And it did make the most sense. His son was already there. It wasn’t like he’d planned this.

Or had he? He had her—and they both knew it. The rat.

No. Gia was going to let him drive her home, and then she was going to escape as quickly as she possibly could. She needed time to strategize here.

Because…the crazy man had changed everything.

And she didn’t know what to do now.

“You can’t hide from me forever, you know.”