Page 59 of The Prey (The Hillers of Barratt County #6)

Hudson was at the middle of the crowd when she walked onto the mezzanine on the third floor. Gia just stopped walking and looked at him. “I can see it now.”

“What?” the judge asked. She was helping Gia limp to their destination now.

Gia really liked her; Judge Collins was a fusser, too.

Like half the people in Gia’s family. She’d almost clucked over Gia once they had finished securing Jason.

She definitely had the whole mother thing going on, much like Gia’s own mother.

“That he uses his…arrogance…as a way to hide his fear. I think he’s probably had to. He lost most of his family in an accident several years ago. He kind of took over taking care of his younger sister then. She had just turned eighteen. He…thinks he has to be the strong one. The man in charge.”

“Some men are like that. It can be rather annoying, that’s for sure.

But…Hudson Hanan’s one of the good ones, I think.

But…to be honest, I’m not so hot at judging men in a romantic way.

Never have been, but…I have my daughters and my freedom.

If I’d found one who looked at me like Hanan looks at you, maybe my opinion would be different, though.

If he loves you and you love him…go for it.

Life is short. I’ve learned that too many times. ”

Hudson looked up. He saw her. And he shouted her name.

Then he was coming for her. She stepped toward him, wobbling just a little. But just a little.

Gia was going to stand on her own two feet for this. For this, because it mattered.

“What in the hell happened?” one of her own brothers demanded. It sounded like Grady or Gene—they sounded alike sometimes. “Gia?”

Then, Hudson’s arms were around her. “Holy hell, woman. You scared me. More than I have ever been scared in my life. How badly are you hurt?”

“Scared me, too. He came after me. Jason. To talk, he said.” She just pressed her cheek to his chest. She could hear his heart bounding.

“He said…he caused the accident. With…your truck. With Ryan. It was about you all this time. Revenge, I think. For something…he said Mac Barratt was involved. He was angry at the two of you, for something. B-3 or something.”

They would figure that out later. All that mattered was she was back with him again.

He cupped the back of her head. She could smell him around her, even through the pain.

She just wanted him to hold her forever.

She felt how he shook against her. She just pressed as close as she could.

Considering her arm was wrapped in the judge’s sweatshirt now.

The judge had used the strap of the sling to tie Jason’s hands. Gia thought that was beyond ironic.

Hudson kissed her forehead, then pulled back just a little. “We’ll discuss all of that later. Where is he?”

The judge was the one who answered. “In my Chambers. Contained. He’s not going anywhere and I’ll be bringing Judge King back in to sign out warrants. Multiple counts of felony assault, aggravated kidnapping, attempted murder—just to start.”

Gia didn’t care about that. All she wanted…was for the man she loved to hold her now.

Everything was over now.

Jason couldn’t hurt her ever again.

And the world would know what kind of monster he was.

And she… She looked up, into Hudson’s beautiful devil dark eyes. “I love you, you know. I didn’t get to say it before. I’m not…ever going a single day without saying it ever again.”

He just looked at her. “I love you, too. Don’t ever forget it.”

They just stared at each other for a moment. It was the best moment of her life.

Of course…her brothers would step in to ruin it.

It was Guthrie this time. “Hey, I get the love, I really do. Especially since it’s all new and shiny and everything.

Been living that reality myself lately. And do you two really think it wasn’t obvious to all of us how you really felt about each other all these years?

You two are pretty clueless, you know. Now…

Gia’s bleeding and hurt and it’s time to get her taken care of.

You can do the planning of the big party wedding later.

I’m sure there are plenty of bridal magazines just lying around at the ranch to give you all a place to start, you know. ”

Then her big brother was gently pulling her away from Hudson.

And reality intruded once again.

Well, she was okay with that. They were…going to create their new reality together now. Her, Hudson, Ryan—and any children they were blessed to create together.

Nothing had ever felt more perfect to her than his arms around her.

Forever.