Page 26 of The Prey (The Hillers of Barratt County #6)

Hudson was pissed. He wished he’d be the one to handle the case against the assholes who had targeted Gia’s brother Gunn and the woman Gunn loved. But that wouldn’t happen. Hudson would officially recuse himself, considering his personal connection to Gia and the Hillers.

He wanted the case to be one that there wasn’t any remote possibility of a mistrial or technicality making something go wrong. He wanted the charges to stick, and if he had his way he’d throw everything that could be thrown at the men.

He wanted those bastards to pay—they’d tried to kill a woman who couldn’t walk unassisted. Who was so damned kind and good-hearted she’d reminded Hudson that there really was good in the world sometimes just by how she had treated the people around her.

If he couldn’t protect people like Ayla, then why was he even doing this job in the first place?

He was contemplating that very question after he’d found a pizza in the freezer. Ryan was off with Hala tonight. She’d taken him out to the Hiller Ranch again—to see the puppies.

He knew the truth—Hala wanted to check on her friend for herself. Ryan was just the distraction.

Ryan really wanted one of those puppies.

Hudson hadn’t told his son yet, but as soon as the damned cast on his arm came off—and that damned boot on Ryan’s foot was gone—they were going to pick one of the puppies out to bring home.

Hudson wasn’t too thrilled with the idea of a puppy and the work it would bring, but they could make it work.

Life was too short to not even try to make things happen for him and his son. Hudson would never forget that. He’d learned that lesson too many times before.

He was just putting the other half of the pizza in the refrigerator when someone pulled into his drive. With one look out the window, he knew exactly who it was. What he didn’t know was why.

She’d been taking the last two days off to be with her family. He had understood. But now…she was coming up his walkway, determination in her steps. Hudson went to the front door, opened it, and just waited.

Giavonna.

She was there.