Page 33 of The Prey
Well, Hudson certainly hoped so. And Hendricks was getting what he deserved. He’d been smirking at Hudson all night—well, let Hendricks smirk now. Judge Collins would decimate Hendricks Barratt. It wouldn’t ever be a fair fight at all. But…Hudson had another far-too-beautiful woman to focus on now.
Hudson Hanan was an ass.She had thought it before—she was going tokeepthinking that. No matter how beautiful he was in his tux.
Gia had been deliberately avoiding him ever since he had inserted himself at their table. Anthony—the rat—was obviously amused by her irritation. The quietest of the Lake brothers, but probably the most irritating. She decided that as the night progressed.
If Ronnie ever wanted to chuck Anthony out a window, Gia wouldsohelp her make that happen.
They were seated with Anthony’s brother Murdoch now, his wife Zoey, and some of Zoey’s relatives—including the doctor Genny and Aubrey worked for. Caine Alvaro was a kind man, as big as Hudson, who absolutely adored his wife. Gia knew his wife well. They attended the same group sessions at W4HAV. Nikkie Jean led one of the support groups for attempted rape survivors. Gia—and Hala—had been attending for over a year.
Hudson was right next to her. His arm rested behind her chair. He and Anthony had waged a quiet war over who got to claim that territory, apparently. Hudson seemed to have won this round.
Men could be such buttheads. She should’ve remembered that after growing up with five brothers—but Anthony and Hudson had only reinforced the lesson tonight.
Anthony leaned forward. “Are you ready to finally dance with the man who brought you?”
She’d danced with others tonight, of course—including Hendricks Barratt, her friend Powell’s uncle. Powell had been through utter hell lately, and Gia had wanted an update. She’d called a few days ago, but Powell was the kind to keep things to herself.
Gia had wanted the truth.
Hendricks—unlike her date and her supervisor—was a complete gentleman. She stood, ready to dance with Anthony and give the blond monster a piece of her mind, when the phone in his tux jacket buzzed.
He’d already told her he was on call—fourth on the list—for the hospital where he worked.
He pulled his phone free. “It’s the hospital.”
Nikkie Jean stood at the same time as her phone also chimed. “Looks like everyone one through fifteen is getting called in. Multi-vehicle accident.”
The mood at the table turned somber instantly. Gia looked at Anthony. He’d told her it was a possibility he’d get called in but not likely. She understood how the doctor life worked—she had a doctor big brother, after all. She just said a quick prayer for the patients who needed them all now.
“They’re calling in every ER doctor. Even those who aren’t on the schedule. I’m so sorry.”
She just shook her head. This was the life of a doctor. She understood.
“Go,” Gia said. “I’ll find another ride home. If nothing else, I’ll call Grady or Gene. They’ll come get me.”
“I hate to leave you like this.”
“Go, bro,” Murdoch said. “I’ll make sure she gets home safely.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.” Anthony squeezed her shoulder briefly. “I’m sorry.”
“Just get going. Other people need you far more than I do. Go.”
Anthony and both Doctors Alvaro rushed off toward the exit, leaving her with Murdoch, Zoey and Hudson Hanan himself.
“So…” Murdoch said, shooting her a look she didn’t need translated. “You’re driving back to Value tonight, Counselor Hanan, I assume?”
Gia’s stomach clenched. Of course he was—he lived less than five minutes away from the ranch. Of course he was. She strongly suspected she knew what was about to happen. And…there really wasn’t a way for her to escape it now.
“Would you please drive our precious little Gia home on your way?” Murdoch continued, tone now full of exaggerated innocence. Gia wanted to kick him. “Since my wife and I live in the complete opposite direction. Our robo-house needs us and all. And we probably need to get home to the kidlings. Tuck them all in before I tuck my sleepy little wifey in myself.”
Zoey rolled her eyes, but said nothing. Any woman who married a Lake man definitely had to be a remarkably tolerant woman. Gia fully believed that now.
“I think we can probably trust you to make sure our precious Gia gets to where she belongs.” Murdoch just wouldn’t stop. Gia really was going to kick him someday.
She started to protest, but the rat next to her spoke first.
“Of course. I’d be happy to drive her home. I’ve learned my son is already at Gia’s house tonight anyway…”
