Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

Hudson

I shouldn't laugh. Fuck me, she's adorable. I don't think I've ever seen a human turn that red, and now I'm tempted to follow her and see how red I can make her in other places.

I shake my head and adjust my cock before opening the water and taking a drink. My goal had been to put some distance between us. She's not ready for me, and honestly, I'm probably not ready for her. Anything that happens between us will wreck whatever remains between Abbot and me. Although we're more strangers than family, I'm reluctant to throw away any chance at reconciliation for pussy that might not even mean anything to me in a couple months.

I look toward the door Starling practically ran out of, remembering the feel of her ass against my cock, and growl. I know I'm full of shit. Something tells me that once I slide inside Starling, I'll never want to leave, and that's the fucking problem. For a man who built his career around loyalty, am I willing to give up my son for a girl I barely know?

I tug my phone from my pocket when I feel it vibrate and see it's Atlas.

I answer and speak before he can. "Tell me there isn't another body."

"There isn't another body," he says wryly. "At least not that we've found. I know you've been digging; I've asked Kenzo to check around as well, but so far, he hasn't found anything mentioning numbers being carved into people."

"I don't know if that's a good or bad thing," I admit, rubbing a hand down my face.

"If there are no other bodies, it most likely means I'm the target. Unless Emma had a client that was pissed that she left. It seems too symbolic to be random."

"That was my thought too. Anything else?"

"Nothing new if that's what you're asking. How are the kids?" he asks, forcing a grunt from me. "Oh dear, trouble in paradise already?"

"I think your idea of paradise and mine are completely different."

"I hope so. My idea of paradise is located between Ivy's thighs, the same place that if you went, you would die."

I snort. "I think of Ivy as the sister I never wanted, and you know it."

"Which is why you're still alive. Now tell me what's going on over there that's making you sound like you want to break something."

I hesitate, then remember all the shit Atlas put Ivy through and figure if anyone can understand my level of crazy, it's him.

"It's the girl."

"Emma?"

I shake my head. "No, Starling," I say quietly, checking the doorway.

He's quiet for a moment, thinking over what I just said. Atlas is smart. He'll have already started forming a picture.

"What about her?"

"I want her." There, I said it.

"So take her."

Okay, so maybe Atlas wasn't the best person to discuss this with.

"She's seventeen and my son's girlfriend."

"Wait, I thought she was the stepsister?"

"She's that too."

"When does she turn eighteen?"

"Ten days."

"Not that you're counting or anything. I'm sure you can wait that long, especially since I can't even remember the last time I actually saw you with a woman."

"Did you forget the part where I said she was my son's girlfriend?"

"No, but you're acting like I should care. I don't. If you want her, then take her."

"And if she doesn't want to be taken?" I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to shut out the little voice in my head that agrees with Atlas.

"If she cares about the boy, use it. Not to sound like a dick or anything, but you're thinking like a father, and you're not. You never have been. You made your choices, and I respect you more because of it. I know most people won't understand, but they don't live in the same world we do. Abbot might share your blood, but you're not his dad, and he's not your son. What he is is your competition. And you know what he has that you don't?"

"What?"

"Your girl. The question is, what are you going to do about it?"

He hangs up, not telling me why he called to begin with.

I lean on the counter and take several deep breaths, trying to separate Atlas's words from my dark-seated feelings. As fucked-up as Atlas is, he's right.

I'm not a good guy. I've been trying to act like one since Eloise died because that's what's expected of me. Despite everything I do, I love Abbot and Landon, but they were her sons, not mine. I gave up any rights I had to them the day I walked away. I can support Abbot through this time and help get him to college without stepping into the father role, something I think he'd prefer.

People talk about mending bridges. But the truth is, when those bridges have been burned, there's nothing left to fix. All you have is a handful of ashes and a pocketful of regrets.

I open the camera app on my phone and find Starling in her room, sitting against the door, looking so fucking lost that it helps solidify my decision. I want her, and though she might deny it, I see a spark of interest in her eyes. Oh, she might hate herself for it, but I can work with that.

I jog upstairs, a plan already forming in my head. Stripping out of my clothes, I hurry through my shower and put on a suit worth a year's worth of college tuition. I don't need it today, not for what I'm about to do, but it's a power play that feeds into our dynamic.

Should I feel bad that I'm manipulating a vulnerable young woman? Probably. But I don't because the aim isn't to rip her apart; it's to put her back together. That girl is already broken. I doubt there is much I could do to make it worse, even if it doesn't feel that way. I'll show her, though. One day, she'll come to me for everything because it will be second nature.

I knock on her door and wait. I hear movement on the other side before the door cracks open, and she peeks out. "Get changed. We're going out."

"Wait, what?"

"You have things you need to get for school. So does Abbot. We're going shopping."

She opens her mouth to argue, but I turn my wrist and look at my Rolex. "I don't have all day, birdie." I allow my eyes to move over her body, just barely resisting the urge to rip Abbot's clothes off her. "And put something else on. You look like you just crawled out of bed." I turn and walk away as she takes in a shocked breath.

I grin as I head down to the kitchen and text Atlas and Kenzo that I'll be unavailable for the rest of the day, except for emergencies. I make myself a coffee and drink it as I read the paper and wait.

Fifteen minutes later, Starling appears, wearing no makeup and ripped black jeans. Her white tank top with a black bra underneath has my eyes stopping on her chest for a second before they take in the rest of her. A worn leather jacket is draped over her arm, and a pair of battered biker boots are on her feet. Her buttery blonde hair falls down her back in a riot of waves. Her eyes dare me to say something, her mouth set in a defiant grin that says, fuck you .

I have to fight back my own smile. So my little birdie has sharp claws , after all.

I did wonder how she survived this long if she bruises so easily. Looking at her now, it's clear that she has a stubborn streak a mile long. My cock stirs at her bratty attitude. The thought of putting her over my knee and reminding her who the boss is makes me want to wrap my fist in her hair and yank her to me. But I'll wait, knowing it's better to keep her on edge.

"That'll do, I guess," I say. I don't tell her that the only way that outfit would look better is if it were on my bedroom floor.

"Sorry, I don't have many choices," she replies tightly.

"Let's go."

I walk out to the garage and opt for the Range Rover. I'm not sure how much stuff we'll be bringing back with us. She follows behind. I open the door for her, and when she goes to get in, I slide my hands around her hips and give her a boost.

She gulps as I close the door and walk around to climb into the driver's seat. She says nothing until we're on the freeway.

"Where did you say Abbot was?" she asks.

"I didn't. He was leaving as I was getting back from my run. I don't know his friends or where he hangs out, so you'll probably figure out where he is before I do."

She bites her lip before looking out the window.

"I'm actually surprised he didn't take you with him. You two seem to be joined at the hip."

She shakes her head. "Like you said, you don't know him or me. The last few days have been hard on both of us, so we've stuck together. But usually, we do our own thing. We're both pretty independent."

I make a mental note of that and pull up outside an electronics store. I walk around and open the door for her, unbuckling her seat belt before she has a chance and helping her down. She bites her lip, looking up at me as I crowd her against the truck door.

"I-I can m-manage, but th-thanks."

"It's my pleasure." I don't keep just how much I like the feel of her body against mine out of my voice.

Her cheeks flush as she looks away. I close the door and grab her hand, leading her toward the store's entrance. She tries to pull her hand from mine, but I tighten my grip and lean down.

"Stop struggling. I just don't want to lose you."

She looks at me with a frown but stops struggling. When we enter the building, a man wearing a name tag and a smarmy smile walks over to us.

"Hello, my name's Donny. Is there anything I can help you and your daughter with today?"

I look at him. His fake smile quickly slips from my face. "She's not my daughter," I tell him firmly. Then, to prove my point, I wrap my arm around her waist and yank her into my side. Her body is rigid beneath my touch, but she doesn't pull away.

"Right, sorry," the fool mumbles.

"We need a couple laptops, tablets, and cell phones. Think you can manage that?"

"Yes, of course, sir. Budget?"

"No budget. I want the best." He starts to turn, but I strike, reaching out and grabbing a handful of his shirt.

"Don't try to fuck me," I warn him. "The best doesn't always mean the highest price."

"Yes, sir," he says, and scurries away when I let him go.

"Can you let me go now?" Starling asks me in a small voice.

"No. I don't like the way he was looking at you."

"He was just doing his job."

"He was eye-fucking you. I'm a man, you're not. You have no fucking clue what he was thinking, but I do. And I know he's pictured fucking you a dozen different ways since he saw you walk through the door."

Her mouth drops open. I feel the urge to shove something inside it, but I don't feel like getting arrested today.

"You can't say stuff like that to me," she whispers, her head dropping in embarrassment.

I slide my finger under her chin and tip her head back, ignoring the tears in her eyes—whether from embarrassment or anger, I don't know.

"You have to know how gorgeous you are."

She fists her hands at her sides, showing me that spark of fire behind her eyes once more. "This is just the skin I was born in. It's nothing special, just the cover of my story that nobody ever bothers to look beyond because they're all too happy to show me off."

"Including my son?"

With a huff, she yanks herself free. "I'm not talking about Abbot with you. You want to know about him? Ask him. I won't act as the go-between for you both."

"Funny because that's where you are, sandwiched right between us."

I take a step back, giving her a second to get herself together. I find I like the flustered, red-faced version of my birdie, though I have yet to see a side of her I don't like.

"He's waving us over." I point to the guy that was helping us.

She turns to look and heads his way. I easily catch up to her and place my hand on the small of her back.

"Do I need to take your hand again to stop you from wandering off?"

"I'm not a child," she hisses.

"Trust me, I don't see a child when I look at you." When we reach the sales guy, I nod for him to show us what he's got.

He starts with the laptops, talking through all the specifications and technical jargon before moving on to the tablets.

Starling leans into me. "I don't need all this, Hudson, and there's no way I'll be able to pay you back."

"Did I ask you to pay me back?"

"No, but?—"

"We'll take them. Phones too. I'll need them set up on my plan."

"That won't be a problem, sir. If you go over to the counter and give them your information, they'll be able to do that for you. Do you want to take the items with you today or have them delivered?"

"When would they be delivered?"

"If you live locally, then tomorrow. We can have the latest software installed and updated if necessary, so you're ready to go."

"Okay. Go ahead."

Starling stands quietly beside me, saying nothing as I add both her and Abbot to my phone plan and pay. As we leave, I take her hand again and lead her down the street to a boutique that I've driven Ivy to a few times.

"What is this place?"

"You need clothes, right?"

"Not from here, Hudson. Target or Walmart is fine. Hell, if there's a thrift shop around here, even better."

I shake my head and ignore her protests, leading her into the brightly lit store.

The woman behind the counter offers me a small smile. "Mr. Smith, it's nice to see you again. How can I help you today?"

"This is Starling. She needs a whole new wardrobe. It should include everything from pajamas to formal wear."

"I don't need anything dressy. I only go to school and home. Please don't waste your money on me," she tells me softly.

I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear.

"It's my money to waste, Birdie."