Dangerous Rescue - Linzi Baxter Page 0,25
done wrong.
“I'm not going push anything between you and me. And I am thankful that you let me know about my daughter. I know me asking you to stay here is something you aren't happy about. But it's not safe at your place, and I trust Gumby more than anybody to help protect you. My team is going to introduce themselves over the next few days. They won't show up without talking to you or Gumby first. These men will do everything they can to make sure you and Mia are both safe. While I'm on this mission, I'm going to be dark. I won't have any contact with them. I need to know that you're safe so I can do my job. Because if I make one slip out there in the field, going into this unknown mission, I might not make it back.”
“I already told you we would stay here,” she snapped before closing her eyes and letting out a breath. “Sorry. I don't know why I get so snippy around you.”
His fingers itched to reach over and pull her into his arms. “You have every right to be pissed at me. When I get back, we can sit down and even have a longer conversation about everything.”
“I know you can't tell me anything about your mission, but do you have any idea how long you're going to be gone?”
A majority of his missions were done in a week or two. Every so often, he was gone for a month. Hudson’s gut told him this mission was going to be short and dangerous. “I haven't even been briefed on the mission yet. Grim and her team are going to be my backup in the field. Her boss will report back what he can.”
“Angel is still on my shit list as well. Why the hell did she tell me she was a real estate agent? I thought she was one of my closest friends. For fuck’s sake, I trusted her to watch our daughter. God, maybe I’m a horrible mother. What person leaves their child with an assassin?”
He didn’t have to like Grim, but she was one of the best assassins the CIA had employed for years. She would do everything to keep them both safe. That point was proven by the fact that she’d added video cameras to Siena’s house when she learned she was in trouble.
“I’m not going to sit here and defend Grim. That is something both of you need to talk about. Before writing your friend off, hear her out,” he said, and Siena nodded, causing one of the blonde locks to fall out of her ponytail. “Believe me, I’m not Grim’s biggest fan, but everyone has a story or a reason. She was trying to protect you, just like I’m doing.”
Siena's eyes narrowed. “I've protected Mia and me for years. I don't need any help.”
“There's no doubt in my mind that you protected our daughter. That doesn't mean that you need to. I'm here to help, and so are my friends, baby.”
“Don't call me baby,” she barked before closing her eyes. “Please, Hudson, I have enough on my table right now. I can't have you trying to bring up what we had years ago.”
He nodded and turned to the cupboard and pulled out a cup. He needed some distraction, or he'd reach out and take her in his arms and kiss her, trying to prove that there was something between them. “You're right. We both have a lot going on right now.” However, that doesn’t mean I’m not going to get you back.
“I did just fine the last six years,” she said.
Hudson finished filling up his cup of coffee. “I never said you didn't take great care of our daughter for the last six years. But while you were doing an amazing job with Mia, I spent years dealing with the scum of the earth. I know you don't like me or what I'm doing, but this is in both of your best interests. The organization your ex is tied up with is bad. Please don't fight me on this.”
Her lips went into a flat line. “I'm here right now, Hudson. I'm not fighting you. I’m sure you can protect Mia and me, but I'm not used to this. I just found out last night that I have a bounty on my head on the dark web. I’ll stay here until Mia and I are safe.”
Hudson nodded, frowning down at his watch. “Thank you.