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  He gathered her up into his arms and clung to her. His large hand hugged the back of her neck, he buried his face into her hair, and for the first time since his mother had passed, Hudson cried. Large sobs wracked his shoulders and instead of relinquishing his hold when Simetra reached them and reached for her baby, he grabbed her to him as well. All three rocked together as the storm grew in intensity.

  “Da, da,” Ryder chortled.

  Hudson cupped her little face in a large hand. She was smiling at him. Then, looking past him, she began waving and giggling. Hudson turned. The storm had created a multitude of fallen logs. Staring intently into the dark foliage he could see an opening amidst the destruction. Handing Ryder over to her mother, he climbed cautiously into the opening. The rocks and logs had created a dry, cozy shelter, complete with dozens of small sticks for burning.

  Hudson gave a whoop of delight and helped Simetra inside. Before long he had a fire blazing, the wisps rising high to escape through a few visible cracks. The interior heated quickly and before long they were able to remove their wet clothing.

  The hail was once again bouncing against the ground. Hudson shifted a large log over the opening to shield them. He then settled back to take Simetra and Ryder into his embrace. Dry and snug, Simetra began nursing the baby. Hudson ran his hand over the child's head. To his surprise Simetra looked up at him and kissed his lips very tenderly.

  “Thank you for saving our lives.”

  A lump formed in his throat. He had almost lost both of them. It was a miracle they had survived. His mother's laughing voice and her claims of Dryads and Artemis fluttered into his thoughts. He smiled. Then felt if anyone was watching over them it would be his parents.

  “You're welcome.”

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  * * *

  Chapter Six

  Simetra's own sobbing woke her. She could hear Hudson's gentle shushing noise. His hand was stroking up and down her arm in a soothing fashion. She turned into him and allowed him to wipe the tears from her cheeks. She gazed upon his face; the firelight flickered across his tender features. He cuddled her closer. Her damp face pressed to his warm chest. During the night his shirt had dried and Ryder was wrapped within, between them both.

  “I'm sorry,” she apologized. “I don't know why I'm crying.”

  To her surprise he chuckled. “After what's happened I'm surprised you aren't screaming.”

  Silently she concurred. “Hudson?”

  “Hmm?”

  “I've been thinking.”

  “About?”

  “Terrance. I think maybe he planned for me to be blamed for Max's death. Something went wrong and it was declared a suicide.”

  “But how would that get him your life insurance?”

  Simetra was thinking fast. “As Ryder's only living relative he would have been granted custody. I don't think I'm penniless at all. I think Terrance stole the money, and then tried to frame me. If he got his hands on Ryder, something would have eventually happened to her. He would have my money and the insurance money.”

  “I thought he would have gotten the million only if both you and Ryder were dead.”

  “No, there was a rider policy, and a stipulation. I could be cut from the policy and the entire amount would have been Ryder's or, in actuality, Ryder's beneficiary.”

  Her thoughts were frantically flying through her cluttered mind. There were so many possibilities. She started shaking. She knew what needed to be done.

  “Simetra, what is it?”

  “I need to see those policies again. I hardly looked them over, I was so distraught, and then later Terrance claimed they were locked in his safe. I need to find Banner. He's involved in this somehow, I just know it! There must be a reason he didn't kill us when he had the chance. There must be!”

  “It will be fine. I will find Banner for you when we return. I don't want you near him or your brother-in-law until I get more information.”

  Simetra saddened. He still didn't believe her. She realized she hadn't been completely truthful with him. It was time to come clean.

  “Hudson?” she began tentatively.

  “Hmm?”

  “Max was a good man. He was a kind man and a good father and husband. But he wasn't always a good citizen.”

  “I'm listening.”

  She knew he was and she knew she had his undivided attention. It was difficult, lying nude in the arms of a man she barely knew, about to bare even more. Granted, he had saved her life and the life of her child, but she needed his trust. She didn't want to appear disloyal to her deceased husband.

  “Max worked at a casino. He ran it, in fact. Sometimes he came home with a great deal of money. When I asked him whose it was he would say it was his. Although, if it was his legally, I don't know why he felt the need to hide it when he could have just placed it in the bank. Sometimes he would say he was just holding onto it for his boss.”

  “Whose casino did he work for?” Hudson asked. She could hear the hesitant tone in his voice, it was tinged in dread.

  “Augustus Freemont.”

  “Damn.”

  “Hudson? What is it?”

  “Banner the Hammer.”

  “What?”

  “The man who dumped you out here, his name is Drake Banner, otherwise known as Banner the Hammer. Believe me when I say he wasn't your brother-in-law's man, he has only one loyalty. He's a power player for Freemont. If your brother-in-law really wanted you dead it wouldn't matter. No one would touch you if Freemont wants you alive. Something big must have gone down. Maybe something that pissed off Freemont. Something that would have entailed Banner weaseling his way into Terrance's trust on a ruse.”

  “Do you think Freemont might have killed Max?”

  “Anything is possible if he's involved.”

  “Do you think Banner would have known I would run into you?”

  “Hell yes. And he'll know when my contact is coming for me. He must have dumped you here to keep you on ice, knowing I would protect you. Damn! I could be right in the middle of a takeover! We all could.”

  Simetra felt him tense. She worried he might think she was involved. “I swear on Max's grave I had no idea you were out here. Please believe me,” she implored.

  “Simetra, if there is anything else—anything you're not telling me, it could cost your baby her life.”

  “No, Hudson! I swear it!”

  Her body was shaking with her mounting fear. She could feel Hudson quiver, which terrified her. Was he that afraid?

  “Hudson, please.”

  “Simetra, listen carefully. Augustus Freemont is a very powerful man. He is a very hard man. His cruelty is unsurpassed when crossed. If he had Banner bring you here to me, and I think he did, he did so with one purpose...he wants you. And he wants Ryder, and it isn't for money, he is a multimillionaire. Think, Simetra, what else is going on?”

  Simetra felt the blood drain from her face. Suddenly Terrance seemed but a guppy in a pool of sharks now. She had no idea what Freemont would want with her or her child.

  “I...I don't know.” Her voice was a mere tremor. She was terrified.

  She felt Hudson's lips press against her forehead for a brief moment. “It's all right, sweetheart. I'll protect you.”

  She pulled herself closer within his arms. Her face buried against his neck. She could still hear the occasional crash of thunder in the distance. Nothing stormed louder than her frantic thoughts.

  * * * *

  Hudson was aware of the exact moment Simetra finally fell asleep. Her almost punishing grip on his shoulders eased. Her arms drooped to languish in front of her. Her breathing slowed, but he could still hear the slight hiccup of her muffled tears as she sobbed in a breath. He knew she was frightened. He also knew he had let his emotions get to him. The thought of Freemont's hands on this woman and child made his skin crawl with loathing. He couldn't allow it. He could never allow Banner to get to them. The man was merciless.

  The tho
ught of how to keep them safe warred throughout his troubled mind. When Banner returned for them he would bring a small army. Hudson and his friend, Troy, would be caught in the middle, and poor Troy would have no idea what was happening. Thankfully his friend was a good cop; no matter where he went he remained always ready, always wary. Hopefully, his wits would be sharp and thankfully, there would be no question that he would be armed. Hudson honestly wondered if Troy slept with his weapon!

  Very carefully Hudson slipped away from Simetra. He rose with caution, careful not to wake her or the baby. He pulled his Sig from its holster. For a moment he admired the weapon; he considered it a reliable friend. In his line of work it was the perfect companion—it was there when he needed it, it was always where it was supposed to be, it never talked back, and most importantly—it didn't take any shit.

  Using his undershirt, he meticulously cleaned the weapon. It would still fire, even though it had taken a brief dip into the lake with him, but it was still best when cleaned up. It now seemed imperative he be able to fire his gun.

  * * * *

  From his vantage point Hudson could clearly see the four large men in the distance. Banner was in the lead. Early that morning Hudson had dressed. He had left Simetra and the baby in their makeshift hovel with clear instructions they were to remain put—and to stay quiet. He had then, by soft light of daybreak, gone hunting. Only he was hunting man. No doubt the men before him were hunting woman.

  Cautiously he circled them, keeping close to the ground. Hudson had yet to unsheathe his weapon. He was hoping to remain undetected. Their nature-made retreat blended in well with the surrounding chaos of foliage. The strewn trees, testimony of Mother Nature's pandemonium when enraged, dotted the immediate vicinity and farther. Their detection should remain anonymous, unless of course Ryder squealed, or cried, or cooed, or burped. He hoped with every fiber of his being the child would remain asleep until the danger passed.

  Hudson became tense when the men neared their hideout. All signs of inhabitants of the area had been washed or tossed away from the storm. Hudson had extinguished their fire after Simetra's disclosure. He wanted no telltale wisps to reach their nostrils. The cool, swift breeze of evening and early morning had extinguished any lingering odors. He hoped the men would move on after a quick search of the area.

  “Damn. Looks like a tornado hit these parts, Banner,” one of the men said.

  Hudson watched Banner scan the area. The man looked worried. “We'll find her,” he declared.

  Hudson wondered which ‘her’ he was referring to.

  “You think ol’ Terrance figured out he was duped yet? You think that's why he's missing?” another of the men said, and guffawed.

  “I don't care what that idiot has or hasn't figured out,” Banner replied calmly. “The sooner we get the girl, the sooner Terrance will be history.”

  “You certain she's out this way?”

  Banner stopped suddenly and cocked his head to the side. Hudson stiffened; he reached for his weapon. Banner was turning in the direction of their hideout. Hudson slid his familiar cool weapon into the palm of his warm hand, a steady finger resting on the trigger. A muffled noise reached Hudson's ears, his heart hammered against his chest; he swallowed hard and took aim.

  Banner was still turning; a gusty breeze ruffled his blond hair across his forehead. He stopped moving. His gaze settled just past the debris where Simetra and Ryder remained hidden. Slight shuffling of a bush was a hairsbreadth from the men, who were all gathering towards Banner. Banner peered closer towards the small enclosure, drawing his weapon.

  The morning sun had pierced the sky; a glint of a sparkle shone, lighting up his formidable silver gun for a brief moment. Hudson sucked in his breath with wary anticipation, fearing all may be lost. He could feel each palpitation of his heart ricochet throughout his entire being. Banner took a step closer. Hudson took careful aim with a steady hand at Banner's head, knowing the two in the hideout would be huddled lower than the man's belt buckle. His eyes remained intent. If he fired he must hit his mark or a ricochet bullet could accidentally hurt or kill Simetra or the baby.

  A large buck suddenly crashed through the underbrush, sending the four men fleeing in different directions, tripping over themselves in their haste to avoid its sharp, thundering hooves. Its large rack of antlers bowed to the ground, his body bouncing high, his impressive chest quivering, rippling his muscles. Barely visible to Hudson's ears, for the briefest of moments, was the mewling cry of a baby. The sound hushed so quickly he wondered if any of the other men had been aware of it. But he doubted it. The buck couldn't have chosen a better time to show himself.

  One of the men gave a whoop and poised his weapon, preparing to fire on the majestic being.

  “Stop!” Banner shouted.

  “Well, why? It's an easy enough shot.”

  “Because if Hudson hears the gun blast you can better believe he'll be on us,” Banner snapped.

  “How can you be so sure he hasn't already taken the woman and her kid out of here?” the man grouched, lowering his weapon with obvious reluctance. The buck vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

  “Even Hudson wouldn't walk a hundred miles with a woman and her baby in tow. Don't be a fool, Chuck, he'll settle him and them down and just watch over them until his friend comes for him,” Banner answered.

  “Well he didn't settle them here.”

  Another man, whose demeanor could well be described as more foreboding than Banner, began to move off farther down the lake. The man was the largest of the four, big, but not nearly as big as Hudson. His jet-black hair was a startling contrast to his bright blue eyes. His predatory movement was earned, learned and instilled from a young age. Hudson knew who he was. He was Banner's right wing man, and Freemont's youngest son. At twenty-eight, Apollo Freemont was a serious young man. Not as easy to rile, but like his father, if you crossed him you would be dead before you hit the ground.

  Hudson watched as the four of them ambled off in a different direction. He re-holstered his weapon. Keeping low, he moved off. He knew they would be back, and he knew it was time to leave.

  * * * *

  Simetra practically launched herself into Hudson's arms when he appeared in their hide-out. Ryder lay sleeping, tucked in Hudson's jacket.

  “They were so close, I was so scared. Ryder was quiet, but when she saw Banner through the bush she waved her arms and babbled to him. She has never been afraid of him. She has never picked up on the fact he terrifies me.” She knew she was on the verge of hysteria, but they had come so close to being discovered.

  Hudson pulled her close and she shivered within his embrace. She couldn't keep still. Her hands fluttered up and down his back. Her face pressed against his chest. She had panicked when she had spotted Apollo. She had jumped and sobbed, frightening Ryder. The babe had cried out at her mother's distress and Simetra had bared her breast to quiet the child.

  “Calm down, honey. They're gone, shh,” Hudson soothed.

  Simetra shuddered with fear. A terrible realization settled within her belly. “Hudson?” she whimpered.

  “Yes?”

  “I think I know why I wasn't killed. I think I might be wrong about who killed Max too.”

  “Why?”

  “I think Apollo wants me.”

  Simetra pulled slightly away from him to look up into his eyes shining with their deep concern. She swallowed hard over the lump that had formed within her throat. She revealed her reasoning.

  “One night, before Ryder was conceived, Max and I had an argument. It was stupid, really. But I ran from the house. Apollo had been coming to see Max—at least that was what I had thought at the time. Later I came to understand he was intrigued by me. He grabbed me, calmed me down, and took me for a ride.” She stopped her tale and shuddered.

  “Simetra, did he rape you?”

  “No,” she replied, feeling shamed. “He took me to his home. I had a few too many drinks, cried on his shoulder. He made me
feel better. He was so sweet and kind to me. Before I knew what was happening we were in his bed. Afterwards, I begged him not to tell Max. He wanted me to leave him, but I loved Max. Sleeping with Apollo was just a mistake. I hurt him when I said it.

  “Apollo swore he would say nothing, but afterwards he came around more often. When he found out I was pregnant he demanded a paternity test. I refused. I told him we had been together one night only and earlier during the day, before we had fought, Max and I had been intimate. And again we had been intimate when we made up. The possibility she was Apollo's was too slim. When Ryder was born she looked like me. Nothing of her reminds me of either man. I thought Apollo had dropped the issue because when Ryder was born he left the country. I had no idea he was even back.”

  “So you think Apollo had Max murdered so he could have you and Ryder?”

  “Maybe,” she whispered.

  Hudson's look was skeptical. “Simetra, I'll put this as delicately as I can. Granted, Apollo is a killer, nothing anyone can prove, but this just isn't his style. If he wanted you he would have court ordered a paternity test and then threatened legal action to keep Ryder if she is his. His family has the money. They also aren't stupid. Very rarely do their actions cause someone's demise. They're too smart for that when they can use the courts and their money to their advantage.”

  Simetra slumped to the ground. Her shaking hand caressed the rump of her sleeping child. “Then we're back to Terrance and the policy money.”

  Hudson hunkered down beside her. “Simetra, I know you want to believe Max was murdered, but has it occurred to you he might really have killed himself?”

  “No!” she ground out vehemently. “He never would have abandoned us!”

  “Alright, sweetheart, calm down.”

  “We were dumped out here. There must be a reason. There must be a reason they have returned for us.”

  “No doubt there is a big reason,” he concurred. “But right now we need to move on.”

  “Where will we go?” she asked with worry.

  He smiled at her. “I'm thinking these guys didn't ride in on brooms. Maybe we can highjack a car.”