Page 34 of The Prey (The Hillers of Barratt County #6)

Hudson fell to his knees next to her. “Stay still, sweetheart. Don’t move. I’m here.”

“Hudson…what happened…?”

She just blinked up at him. Her eyes were unfocused, squinting at his face. That bastard had knocked her a good ten feet. And choked her.

Hell, he’d choked her.

There were red marks all over her neck. And her right shoulder hung in a way that terrified him. “Don’t move. I’m right here. I’ve got you. I’ve got you, sweetheart.”

“Hurts…” Her eyes shut.

He slipped his arm behind her gently. Held her up off the floor—he wasn’t going to let her stay on the damned floor. Her head fell slightly. Rested against his shoulder. She whimpered, cutting his soul in half with the sound. “Where all do you hurt?”

People were there. Everywhere, as the judge called for order.

The judge was barking out orders to the bailiff and others.

Hudson checked once, to make certain that bastard who’d attacked Gia was restrained.

He could see Fullman on the floor, but couldn’t see if he was moving.

Hudson didn’t give a damn if he’d killed the bastard.

The defense table was on its side. Where the bastard had hit it. Hudson’s hand stung. He wished he could hit the guy again and again until he was a bloody pulp. And just not stop. “I’m sorry. I should have stopped him before he ever touched you.”

He just kept talking against her temple. Holding her as closely as he dared. Someone else was there, on the other side of her.

Her eldest brother. George was there—he’d had a case in Courtroom B. “George, she’s hurt. I don’t know how badly. I don’t want to move her until help?—”

“We were on a break, and were watching Gia’s closing. Mac’s already called for an ambulance.” George motioned for Hudson to just hand her over to him, to switch him places. To let her big brother have her.

No. Hudson shook his head, still cupping her head in his hand. Holding her as close as he dared. “I’m not going to move her until the ambulance gets here. I’m not ever letting her go.”

George stared at him for a long moment. Then her oldest brother nodded. Like he knew what Hudson was thinking. Feeling.

Fullman was on the ground, yelling. His attorney stood over him. Clarke was looking at Gia now, an almost evil smirk on his face. His eyes met Hudson’s.

Clarke was enjoying this.

Hudson practically snarled in response.

Hudson forced himself to look away, before he did something he’d regret.

He kissed her temple gently. Her fingers twisted in the lapel of his jacket, and she clung to him.

He just held her close, in spite of everyone in the damned courtroom watching his every action now.

He didn’t give a damn who knew how he felt about her.

Someone touched his shoulder, said his name. He looked up into a familiar face. Mac was there. “The ambulance is here, Hudson. You’re going to have to let go of her now. Come on. We’ll take her to the hospital now. Get Gia taken care of. Come on.”

Moving out of the way so the paramedics could treat her was one of the hardest things he’d ever done. Just like it had been the night of the car accident when he’d stepped back so they could treat his son. All he wanted in the world was to protect the ones who mattered most.