Page 102 of Sin Like the Devil

Shrugging, I take another drag. I’m not going to judge how he’s chosen to cope—how any of them have. We’ve all managed in our own ways. But this is my decision, and I made it for a reason.

“My point is, you don’t have to do this.”

“No.” Feeling steadier, I drop the cigarette and stomp on it. “I don’t have to do it. I need to do it.”

“What about the backlash? You ready for that?”

“Well, it’s a good thing I know the country’s top private security company then, isn’t it?”

Hudson drops a strong hand on my shoulder. “We can handle threats to your safety. I’m more worried about the impact the shit people will say about what we all did to survive will have.”

“I don’t care what people think.”

“Then why put yourself through this?”

Placing my hand on top of his, I lightly squeeze. “I’m not looking for their forgiveness, Hud. I’m looking for my own.”

He sighs, blowing out a cloud of smoke. “Then I’m not letting you do this alone.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“It’s not for your benefit.” Hudson puts out his cigarette then gestures for me to head back inside. “If Brooke heard that I’d sent you back up there alone, she’d serve my fucking balls for breakfast.”

With a nod to Hyland and Warner, remaining on guard outside, we head back inside the building. Hudson’s scruffy jaw is set in a hard line as he follows me into the elevator and back upstairs.

“You know the interviewer is going to shit himself when he sees you’re with me. He’s been fishing for the scoop on Blackwood for hours.”

Hudson chuckles. “He can dream on.”

“Just play nice, alright?”

“I’m always nice.”

“Sure. You’re a fluffy fucking teddy bear.”

“Damn straight,” he echoes.

Walking back into the studio, several assistants do a comical double take at the wall of glowering, inked muscle escorting me. Sabre Security has had many high-profile cases in recent years. Hudson’s scowl is well known, much to his chagrin.

“Ripley.” Elliot stands as I walk back into the interview room. “Is everything okay?”

“Fine. I just needed a moment.”

“Of cou…”

He trails off as Hudson stalks in behind me, his trademark intimidating glower in place. This was a fucking terrible idea. The man is incapable of playing nice, and I don’t trust him to keep a cool head if he sticks around to listen.

“My security detail wishes to be present,” I try to explain.

Elliot sticks out a hand to be shaken. “Perhaps your security detail would care for a microphone too? I’ve been following your story for a long time, Mr Knight.”

Lip curled, Hudson eyes Elliot’s hand with disgust and doesn’t take it. “No doubt.”

Clearing his throat, Elliot drops his hand.

“I’ll be right over here, Rip.” Hudson takes his position in the corner of the room.

I pick up the microphone and reclip it to my lapel. Warily eyeing Hudson, Elliot sits back down and picks his notebook up. Once I’m comfortable, he instructs the cameraman to resume rolling.

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