Until You Loved Me (Silver Springs #3)(101)

He twisted his head to see around a big plant that hid him from Craig. The team owner was standing and shaking hands with another man. Craig’s friend had arrived. “I can make it happen. But why are we doing another DNA test? What about the one I sent?”

“This is for our own test, one we control.”

“What good will it do without Matisson’s DNA?”

“I’m pretty sure I have Matisson’s DNA. I also have a technician standing by at a trustworthy lab.”

Hudson stepped aside to avoid a waiter who was coming through. “How’d you get Matisson’s DNA?”

“I have what I hope is one of his cigarette butts.”

“From...”

“Outside, by the front door.”

“You didn’t mention my name, did you? When you called the lab?”

“No, of course not. I just offered to pay double if someone would wait for me. Figured you wouldn’t mind the added expense.”

“Not at all. Thanks.”

“No problem. Anyway, I need to focus so I don’t screw up and miss a turn. Can you drop me a pin so I can find you?”

“Doing it now.”

“Perfect. We should get the results on Wednesday, Hudson. I’ve also hired a different private investigator—another expense I assumed you wouldn’t mind.”

“I don’t, but...what for?”

“She’s digging up everything she can find on Julia—so we don’t need to wait for Jones to do that, since he’s dealing with Matisson right now and getting to Arizona.”

Since Hudson had been tied up all day and could only stew about his troubles, he was grateful for her help. “Do you really think all this will make any difference?”

“It’s worth a shot—small beans in comparison to a million dollars.”

Hudson lowered his head to stare at his feet. “I’ve never met anyone like you.”

“I hope that’s a good thing,” she joked.

“It is. I’m glad I spotted you in that nightclub—and hit you up.”

“So am I. I love you, Hudson—even though you warned me not to.”

She spoke fast and hung up. He got the impression she was afraid of how he might respond, so she didn’t hear him mutter, “Thank God you didn’t listen.”





26

When Hudson finally got to his LA house, he found Ellie asleep on the couch in front of a TV even bigger than the one he’d purchased for Silver Springs. Whenever he saw it, he had to chuckle. It reminded him of the pissing contest he’d gotten into with some of the other team members—which was what had compelled him to track it down and buy it. He loved that TV, and so did the other guys. They always came to his place to watch whatever fight or other sporting event they wanted to see together.

Some reality show was playing now, droning on although no one was listening or watching. Ellie looked as if she’d been asleep for a while. She’d mentioned that she was often fatigued in this stage of the pregnancy, and according to what she’d told him over the phone, she’d had a couple of long days since he’d been gone. She’d stayed up late with that file, gotten up early to return to her research and then jumped into action when she found that cigarette butt.

“Hey.” He knelt down beside her and lifted up her shirt to kiss her belly. “I’m home.”

She raised sleepy eyelids to focus on him, and a sweet smile curved her lips. “I’m glad.”

He kissed her tummy again. “How do you like the house?”

“What I’ve seen of it is nice.”

“You didn’t look around?”

“I was afraid I’d get lost,” she joked.

He put down her shirt. “Believe me, I would’ve found you.”

She combed her fingers through his hair. “Actually, it felt a bit intrusive to let myself in and go snooping around when you weren’t home. I decided I’d let you give me the tour.”

“Only you,” he said. “I don’t know one other person who wouldn’t have searched through everything.”

She laughed. “Is that what you did to my house in Miami?”

He winced. “I glanced around. But then, I’m not as thoughtful as you are.”

“Are you being facetious?”

“I wish I was.” She always seemed to take other people into consideration, and that made him feel he could trust her. Maybe that was why he did trust her—more than he’d ever trusted any other woman. “Sorry I’m so late.” Craig had insisted Hudson come home with him for after-dinner drinks and a visit with his family. Ellie had texted to tell him that she’d delivered the DNA test to the lab and found his house, and he’d called his housekeeper, who lived off the premises, to let her in. But he still felt bad that she’d been waiting for so long and hadn’t felt she could make herself comfortable. “You should’ve gone up to my bed.”

“This was fine. It’s a huge couch. And I’ve never seen a TV that size.”

He glanced back. “Yeah, I went a little overboard.”

“Everything in your life is big. Your name. Your bank account. Your houses.”

“Don’t stop there.” He winked at her, and she laughed.