Chapter 10

Though Hudson looked exhausted, they spent the next two hours getting to know each other over Chrysanthemum tea, laughing and having fun as if they'd been friends for years. When Myles reached for her hand on the walk back to her apartment, she didn't pull away. Instead, she gazed at him with eyes the color of emeralds and gave his fingers a squeeze. 

It was so easy hanging out with her, enjoying her gentle demeanor and charm. He hated to see the afternoon end and found himself craving more. 

"You're a good listener," she'd said at one point. "I can't remember the last time I opened up like this."

Her words were simple but the compliment filled him. There was no way he was turning his back on her now. Not that he'd intended to. Frank would just have to deal with wherever this was going. Myles couldn't care less if a relationship complicated things. He'd switch precincts if he had to. His job would not get in the way of him getting to know Hudson better. 

Not that he planned to rush things either. The tough act she was trying to put on was just that. An act. There was a vulnerability about her, anyone could see that. The life she'd lead up until this point had made her that way. And if he had it his way, she wouldn't have to trudge through this life alone. Not anymore. If Hudson had any idea how she made him feel, she'd probably think he was nuts! But there was just something about her, something he wasn't willing to let go of. And no matter where it took him, Myles planned to see it through. That is, if she'd let him.

Whenever Hudson spoke of her artwork, she came to life. Everything about her lit up. Her face, her voice, the way she thrust her shoulders back with confidence. It was obvious her passion lied with the colors she swept over a canvas. She reminded him of a child on Christmas morning as she explained the different painting techniques. He had no idea what she was talking about most of the time, but he didn't dare stop her. He couldn't get enough. And when she turned to him with those eyes of hers, so deep and intense, as if she'd lived a thousand lives, his heart galloped in his chest. What in the world was happening? The big, tough cop completely weakened by this wisp of a woman. And even though they'd just met, Myles didn't want to know what it would feel like to say goodbye.

"I'm sorry," Hudson said breathlessly. "I just keep talking and talking. You must be so bored!"

He smiled, her hand still in his. "Not at all. I could listen to you talk all day. Do you think that's weird?" he asked, wondering if he was insane. "I mean, we just met, but I feel as if I've known you forever."

Hudson stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and parted her lips, her eyes growing wide. "I feel like I've known you forever, too." She shook her head. "This has never happened to me before. To just feel so at ease with someone. Especially a man. It isn't like me to ..."

Myles watched the rise and fall of her chest as she struggled to find words. He realized he had much to learn about her, but in that moment, none of it seemed to matter. He fought the urge to bring her to him; to close his arms around her while the entire Lower West Side maneuvered out of their way. But he didn't have to. Before he knew it was happening, Hudson leaned in and brushed her lips to his. Myles held his breath. The kiss was soft and sweet and he never wanted it to end. In that instant, his life flashed before his eyes. Everything he'd ever been or hoped to become collided in the center of his chest. He felt the light of the world like beacon, pointing him in the direction he was meant to go; in the direction toward the rest of his life. 

And it all started with Hudson.

"Thank you," she whispered on tiptoes, her lips still hovering over his.

"For what?"

"For making me feel safe."

Her sad smile tugged at his heart. They began to walk again, their fingers entwined. Occasionally, they'd steal a glance at one another, and then grin and look away. Bashful yet very aware they were meant for something more.

When they reached the door of her apartment building, Myles held it open to let her walk in first. As she stuck a small, silver key into the mailbox, his phone vibrated from his back pocket. He pulled it out and skimmed over the name. Frank. Again. For the second time that afternoon, Myles let his partner go to voice-mail. He returned the cell to its hiding place and looked up, ready to see Hudson safely to her apartment.

Instead, she stood in front of him, eyes fastened to a letter shaking in her hands.

"Hudson?" Myles reached her in three long strides. "What is it?"

She opened her mouth to speak and then closed it again. When she finally lifted her gaze, the fear in her eyes burned against an ashen face. "He wants me dead."

Myles sat next to Hudson on the sofa, tension gripping his shoulders. Frank paced in front of them, his hand continuously rubbing at the back of his neck. The last time he'd seen his partner this agitated, the perpetrator had gotten his ass handed to him on the Navy Pier. Myles only hoped he wasn't next on Frank's shit list.

"Jesus H. Christ, Myles! What the fuck're you thinkin'?" The sleeves of Frank's linen shirt were rolled up to his elbows and his chest puffed out, the opaque buttons straining against the white material. "I told you not to get involved. I told you. But no. You didn't listen. Myles does what Myles wants," he mocked in a sing-song voice. "What is wrong with young people today? They think they know everything!" Frank eyed the two of them huddled together holding hands and rolled his eyes. "How the hell am I supposed to explain this to the chief?"

Myles bolted up from the couch, jaw clenched. "You don't have to explain anything to him. This is my business." He looked back at Hudson, his voice softening at the sight of her trembling lower lip. "It's our business."

Hudson's eyes filled with tears. "Please, Myles. I don't want you to get in trouble because of me," she murmured, not meeting his gaze. "I mean, I like you, but it's not worth losing your job."

In a flash, Myles knelt at her side. "Hey, I'm not going to lose my job. We haven't done anything wrong." She looked up and a lock of hair fell across her face. He tucked it behind her ear and smiled. "I promise. Everything will be fine."

"Good, God!" Frank groaned from behind him. "Can you please drop the unrequited love act? I'm gonna throw up my coney dogs!"

Myles brought a calloused hand to Hudson's cheek and she leaned into his palm, briefly closing her eyes. He hated to move, couldn't bare interrupting the tender moment. But he had no choice. Caressing her skin, he stood up and turned to his partner. "Stop worrying about me. What are we gonna do about this?" Myles picked the note up from the table. A chill tore down his spine as his eyes moved over the magazine cut-out letters for the hundredth time.

"The day of death is better than the day of birth ..."

Myles looked up from the message. "This sounds like a threat," he said, waving the paper in front of him.

"You don't say." Frank fixed him with a look and arched an eyebrow. "Did they teach you that in the academy, Mr. Police Officer?"

Ouch. All right, maybe he deserved that. After all, he had gone behind his partner's back and stuck his nose where it didn't belong. Frank had told him never to get mixed up with a victim, but he couldn't shake Hudson Caldwell from his mind. He glanced at her again. Dark blonde hair nearly skimming her slender waist, a full bottom lip caught between perfect teeth, and soulful green eyes, which at the moment were laced with guilt and regret. All because of him.

Myles decided to try again. "Frank, the reason I called you over is because you're the smartest cop at the station. You're the only guy I know who can handle something like this."

Frank's chin jutted forward. "I am good," he finally relented. Releasing a heavy sigh, he removed an evidence bag from the back pocket of his dark-washed jeans. With a gloved hand, he slipped the incriminating letter inside. He snapped off the latex and tossed it to the table. "Don't think I'm gonna forget that you completely disregarded my orders. If the chief finds out, I'm feigning ignorance," he said, throwing his hands up in surrender.

"He won't find out," Myles promised, pressing his palm to his heart. "I owe you one."

Frank cocked his head, the corner of his mouth inching upward. "You owe me more than one. I see at least a week's worth of apple fritters in my future. Apple fritters that will go on your Dunkin' tab." He rubbed a hand over his stomach and let out a satisfied sigh. "And a great big cup of coffee to go with 'em. Maybe even—"

"Hold up," Myles interrupted, trying not to smile. "Let's not get carried away. I thought Ebony told you to take it easy on the caffeine. And the apple fritters."

Frank's laugh sliced through the tension. "What my wife doesn't know won't kill her, right? What happens in the squad car stays in the squad car, I thought I told you that already." Frank leaned around Myles and threw Hudson a wink. "Ain't that right? We're gonna keep this little arrangement between the three of us. After all, it's the least you can do."

Hudson visibly exhaled. "Your secret's safe with me, Officer Williams."

"Oh, before I forget," Frank said, looking directly at Hudson. "I called the office earlier today. The only fingerprints found on the Glock were yours." He turned to Myles. "I tried to call you a few times to let you know, but you didn't pick up. Guess I know why," he said, narrowing his eyes again. He blinked twice and returned his attention to Hudson, whose cheeks were pink with embarrassment. "Do you remember touching the gun?"

She swallowed hard, the muscles moving smoothly over her throat. "I, uh, I don't remember." Hudson shook her head and wrapped her arms around herself. "It's possible. I tried to fight under his weight. I pushed and hit, anything I could think of to get him off of me. If I touched the gun, I—I don't remember. It all happened so quickly." Her gaze fell to the floor and her shoulders began to quiver.

Myles met Frank's eyes and he gave his partner a silent warning. "We'll figure this out," he said underneath his breath. "But not now. She's been through enough."

Frank shrugged his shoulders and began to walk backward toward the door. "We better get going. I still need to grab a bite to eat and our shift starts in an hour." He gave Hudson a nod. "Nice to see you again, Ms. Caldwell. Sorry the circumstances are less than ideal. You have a nice night."

"Thank you," she said, hurrying toward them. She leaned against the frame and smiled. "I appreciate you coming all the way out here before you're even on the clock. I can see why Myles admires you so much."

Myles swallowed a snort and glanced at Frank. Pride rolled off of his partner like she'd just opened the floodgates.

"Why don't you say goodbye now, Myles? We need to get going." Frank turned and walked down the hallway, giving them a moment to themselves.

Their gazes met, and Myles instantly felt his breath kick up a notch. "Guess I have to get going," he said. Before he could stop himself, his fingers grazed the strands of hair around her face. "Call me. If you need anything at all. You have my number."

She studied the collar of his shirt like it was the most fascinating thing in the world. "Annie will be here tonight," she reminded him.

"What about tomorrow? Will she be here then, too?"

Her gaze fell to the floor and he knew then she would be alone.

Myles lifted her chin, forcing her eyes to his. "I have to work tomorrow night, but I'll make sure we drive by the apartment whenever we can. Promise me you'll call if you need anything."

"I promise."

Myles brought her to him for a quick hug. The gentle scent of vanilla and lavender tickled his nose. When he pulled away, Hudson watched him with expectant eyes.

She drew in a ragged breath. "Thank you." 

"You're welcome." He smiled, his heart fluttering a little. "I'd love to see you again."

Hudson's cheeks flushed and her teeth grazed her lower lip. She nodded, but never said a word.

With that, Myles turned and walked down the hallway, feeling the weight of Hudson's gaze as he disappeared from sight.