Chapter 12

DEX LOOKED from Hudson to the man they knew as Wolf, then back to Hudson.

“Please tell me I didn’t hear what I thought I did.” Dex quickly got up and grabbed Hudson’s arm. “Hudson, buddy? You gotta say something.”

“Lou and Bradley.” Hudson was almost afraid to ask.

“Are fine. Taking a little nap in the broom closet. They would have been killed when those Makhai goons showed up.” Wolf—Alfie stood and brushed off his suit. He was bigger than Hudson remembered. Stronger. More… muscular. His jaw was still clean-shaven and chiseled, his hair and thick eyebrows as pitch-black as Hudson’s. He looked as ruggedly handsome and elegant as always. His suit undoubtedly expensive. Alfie’s blue eyes filled with remorse, and Hudson took a tentative step toward him. He hesitantly reached out, unable to believe his brother was there, in front of him, in the flesh. Alive.

“Oh fuck,” Dex groaned. “You know what? I see it now. The resemblance. The thought had crossed my mind when you were talking about your brother that night in Dekatria, but you said Alfie was dead.”

“He is—was,” Hudson murmured softly. “How?” He blinked back his tears, his head and heart in turmoil. “You… you’re alive.”

“I am,” Alfie replied quietly.

Disbelief gave way to anger, and it erupted. “You’re alive?” Hudson punched his brother across his stupidly square jaw. Dex threw his arms around Hudson before he could hit Alfie again. “You fucking wanker! You’ve been alive all this time? How could you do this to me? I thought I was losing my bloody mind, catching your scent in Dex’s house, then everywhere else, and it’s because you were there. You’ve been there the whole pissing time!”

Alfie rubbed his jaw. “Just, let me explain, little brother.”

“Please do, Alfie,” Hudson spat out. “Tell me how I saw your corpse on that slab of steel. How you let me mourn your loss for years, let me live with the guilt, let me think I was going crazy.”

“First of all,” Alfie stated calmly, “don’t call me Alfie. It doesn’t really strike fear into the hearts of my enemies.”

“Piss off!”

Alfie pursed his lips. “Fair enough. Actually, I don’t use my name because of you.”

“So you could carry on the deception?” Hudson shrugged off Dex’s hold and crossed his arms over his chest, his narrowed eyes on his brother. “And if you’ve been around me as long as TIN says, why could I only smell you some of the time?”

“I needed to protect you. I have many enemies.” Alfie cringed. “Perhaps slightly more than many.”

Dex let out a snort. “You don’t say.”

Alfie ignored him. “If they discovered I had a brother, or family, they would have come after you. As for my scent, well, I have this nifty little device that masks my scent with any scent I choose. It’s quite extraordinary. The only one of its kind available on the black market. However, it is rather temperamental, and the scent cartridge is not perpetual, at least not yet. Anyway, the blasted thing isn’t as stable as it should be. The cartridge has a habit of running dry at the most inopportune moments, which is why you caught my scent. I can hardly stop in the middle of a physical altercation to fiddle with it.”

Seb slipped his hand around Hudson’s waist, his frown on Alfie, who didn’t seem put off by it. He held his hand out to Seb.

“I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced, what with my being dead and all.”

Seb looked confused. He hesitantly shook Alfie’s hand. “Uh, nice to meet you. I think. I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to feel here.”

Alfie patted Seb’s hand before releasing him. “Quite all right, mate. Thank you for taking care of my little brother. You’re a good man.” He turned back to Hudson, his expression softening. “I know this won’t help, but you were never supposed to find out I was alive. It was safer for you. You would have gone on grieving the loss of a brother you loved and looked up to.”

Hudson didn’t know what to say or what to feel, for that matter. How long had he wished for things to be different, for Alfie to be alive, but how much of his brother remained in the man before him? Wolf had done so many terrible things.

“Of course, all my hard work protecting you has been undone,” Alfie said, winking at Dex, “thanks to your friend here.” He wagged his gloved finger at Dex. “I have half a mind to be cross with you, love, and I would be, if you weren’t so blasted pretty.”

“I’m going to kill you, you son of a bitch!” Dex launched himself at Alfie, but Hudson caught him. He was sorely tempted to let Dex have at Alfie, but he had too many questions that needed answers. Dex could dismember Alfie some other time.

“Dex, please.”

Alfie took a step back and rolled his eyes. “You’re not still sore at me, are you?”

“You tortured me!” Dex was practically vibrating with anger, his face crimson. Hudson worried Dex was about to give himself a heart attack.

“In my defense,” Alfie stated smoothly, “I was getting paid ridiculous amounts of money for it. Also, I wanted to see if you were as impressive in person. I was not disappointed.”

Dex’s jaw dropped. “What? That’s not—are you insane?”

“Here’s a suggestion. How about we kiss and make up. Forget the whole nasty ordeal. I’ll forget you hit me with a steel chair, and you forget, you know….” Alfie snapped his fingers as if trying to recall.

“The part where you tortured me?” Dex finished for him.

“Yes, that. It was the Makhai who hired me, by the way. In case you hadn’t figured it out yet. What do you say?”

“Um, how about no, and kiss my ass,” Dex replied through his teeth.

“I would prefer more private quarters for that.”

Dex shook his head in disbelief. “Oh my God, he’s like a British Austen.”

“I think it’s adorable you’re comparing me to Sparks’s little pet.”

“Watch your mouth,” Sloane growled.

Sloane’s calm surprised Hudson, and he wondered if Sloane was simply biding his time or thinking up one of the many ways in which he could make “Wolf” suffer.

“Ah, so sorry, mate. I forgot you have a soft spot for the little runt.” A wicked gleam came onto Alfie’s face, one Hudson remembered all too well. He ran his tongue over his bottom lip. “No hard feelings about my kissing your fiancé? I couldn’t resist. Those lips are just sinful.”

Sloane let out a growl as he made a grab for Alfie, but Seb held him back, a hand to his chest, his green eyes pleading.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Sloane hissed, his amber eyes boring into Seb’s. “That asshole tortured Dex!”

Seb looked to Hudson for help. He was clearly conflicted. Hudson was too. Instead of talking to Sloane, who was glaring daggers at Alfie, Hudson turned to Dex.

“Please, Dex. I know I have no right to ask this of you, but could I… could I please get some time with him? I’m certain he deserves your wrath, and what he did to you was reprehensible, but he’s my brother. I lost him once. I can’t lose him again. Not yet.”

Dex cursed under his breath before rubbing his hands over his face and letting out a frustrated grunt. “Fine.”

“Dex—”

“It’s fine, Sloane,” Dex assured him, a hand to his cheek. “It’s fine. There will be plenty of time to kick his ass later.”

“It’s not fine, Dex. The man tortured you. He was going to kill you.” Sloane shook his head. “I’m sorry, Hudson, but I can’t just turn the other cheek. Wolf might look like your brother, but whoever your brother was, he obviously died at the bottom of the cliff that day.” Sloane’s hard gaze moved from him to Alfie, and he spoke through his teeth. “That is not Alfie.”

Hudson flinched. He swallowed hard and nodded. “You have every right to feel as you do, Sloane. And maybe you’re right. Maybe he’s not the brother I remember, but he saved Seb’s life, and he saved me from Trent.” He turned to Alfie. “That was you, wasn’t it?” A thought occurred to Hudson, and his blood ran cold. “You sent those texts to my phone knowing Seb would go after Trent. Why would you do such a thing?”

Alfie averted his gaze, as if reluctant to say. Seeming to get his thoughts together, he turned his attention back to Hudson. “TIN and the Makhai want you. As much as I loathe to admit it, TIN can protect you. As an asset, you’re far too important to lose. Once you’re sworn in, the chances of the Makhai getting their hands on you drops significantly. Your man turned TIN down. That was a mistake.”

Seb took a step toward Alfie. “You wanted us to join TIN, so you made sure it happened by using your own brother?”

Alfie’s hard gaze was unwavering as he addressed Seb. “Trent provided the perfect opportunity. He had to pay for what he did to Hudson, and who better to serve that justice than you? I knew you wouldn’t kill him, but you weren’t above causing him pain. I’ve been watching you for some time, Sebastian. I know what you’re willing to sacrifice for my brother, which is why I didn’t use Hudson. I used you. Did you really think TIN wouldn’t be watching you? Waiting for the perfect opportunity to bring you in? Why do you think you were picked up by TIN operatives? I set the bait, you took it, and TIN got what they wanted.”

“But….” Dex shook his head, confused. “You hate TIN. Why would you want your brother to join them?” He thrust a finger at Hudson. “We are so having a long conversation about that later, by the way.”

“My relationship with TIN is… complicated,” Alfie said, wrinkling his nose.

“And Trent’s friends?” Seb asked. “What did you do with them.”

The speed with which the warmth drained from Alfie’s eyes, replaced by a dead coldness that made Hudson shiver, was frightening. “They’re rapists and abusers. I simply put them where they belong. With the trash. Or rather, six feet beneath it.”

“Jesus.” Sloane shook his head in disbelief. “You see? The man is a fucking sociopath!”

Alfie let out an indelicate snort. “How very self-righteous. Been there, done that, and all I got was blown up. No thank you. Have fun with TIN. Try not to get stabbed through the heart, or in the back.” He put his hand on Hudson’s shoulder. “We will talk, little brother. I promise. Right now, I really must dash. The flying monkeys are about to land.”

“You’re leaving?” Hudson snatched hold of Alfie’s sleeve, surprised when Alfie didn’t pull away.

“Like hell he is,” Sloane growled, reaching out to grab Alfie’s arm.

Alfie moved so quick, Hudson barely had a chance to react before Alfie had Sloane’s arm pulled up against his back, a knife in his hand against Sloane’s throat.

“Stop,” Hudson pleaded with Alfie, only to be ignored.

“Manners.” Alfie tsked at Sloane. “My little brother was speaking to me. It’s been an awfully long time, so I’m sure you can understand how frustrating it is to have you interrupt. You boys really need to polish up that etiquette if you’re going to work for TIN. Now, will you be a good little boy if I let you go?”

“Fuck you,” Sloane spat out.

Alfie sighed. He moved his gaze to Hudson. “Forgive me, but I really must go. We’ll chat. I’m not going anywhere just yet.” He moved the knife and pushed Sloane into Dex before making a run for the stairs heading to the roof garden. They took off after him, but by the time they got up there, he was gone.

“I fucking hate it when they do that,” Dex shrieked before kicking a chair for good measure. Just as Alfie had warned, TIN arrived within seconds, headed by Sparks.

“Where is he?”

Dex thrust a hand at the sky. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

She peered at him, and he scoffed.

“Right, because he was gonna hang around for cake and champagne.”

“What did he say to you?” Sparks asked Dex.

Hudson clenched his jaw and averted his gaze. Dex had to hand Alfie over. Who knew what horrid things his brother had done. Hudson couldn’t blame Dex. He just wished he had a few minutes with Alfie to understand, to know how he’d become what he was.

“He said those guys were from the Makhai, and that they’re the ones who hired him to kidnap and torture me.”

“That’s it?” Sparks eyed him. “Wolf showed up to save Hudson and get rid of the Makhai out of the kindness of his blackened heart?”

Dex shrugged. “I don’t know. The guy does whatever he fucking feels like. You know more about him than we do. I’m sure you’ve got your theories. Care to share them with us?”

Sparks studied them all before turning on her high heels and heading for the door. “We’ll get this place cleaned up. If you see or hear from Wolf again, I expect to be notified.”

“Sure thing,” Dex said with a salute.

“Oh, and, Hudson, Seb, congratulations on your marriage,” she called out over her shoulder. “Take the day off. Put in a request for time off for your honeymoon when you’re ready.”

Once she was gone, Dex turned to Hudson, speaking quietly. “I’m sorry you’re in the middle of this fucked-up situation, and I can’t say I’m happy about it, but I understand.” He placed a hand on Hudson’s shoulder. “I hate the guy. I won’t lie. I really hate him. But he saved your life, and Seb’s. He’s done some things that could be perceived as not entirely shitty. I can’t guarantee I won’t beat the shit out of him or turn him over to the proper authorities, but I promise you, I won’t kill him.” Sloane huffed, and Dex chuckled. “And neither will Sloane,” Dex added.

“What?” Sloane shook his head, and Dex arched an eyebrow at him. Sloane threw his hands up. “Fine. I won’t kill him.” He narrowed his eyes. “But I reserve the right to cause him some serious pain.”

Hudson nodded. “Fair enough.” His brother had brought that on himself. All he wanted was a chance, a chance he never thought he’d have. “Thank you. Both of you.”

Dex hugged him, and Sloane did the same, patting his back, a soft “I’m sorry” making him feel a little better about what his friends were sacrificing for him. Dex ordered him and Seb to go home, that they’d check on Lou and Bradley and see that the cleaning crew was let in to take care of Dekatria after TIN was gone.

Seb slipped his hand into Hudson’s and led him out of Dekatria. A cab was waiting for them, and inside the car, Hudson snuggled close. He didn’t even know where to start. How long had his brother really been around, keeping an eye on him, stepping in without him even realizing it?

“I think he saved me twice,” Seb murmured.

Hudson held him close. “What do you mean?”

Seb paused, as if uncertain he should say, but a heartbeat later, he sighed. “The night of Dex and Sloane’s engagement party, I was so pissed off when I left that I walked out into the middle of the street without realizing. I would have gotten hit by a speeding car if someone hadn’t pulled me back. But whoever it was disappeared before I could get a look at them.”

Hudson pulled back, his heart squeezing in his chest. “Oh God, what if you’d been hit by that car? It would have been my fault.”

“No, baby.” Seb cupped his cheek and kissed his brow. “It would have been on me. I let my anger cloud my judgment, and because of it, I put myself in danger. My actions are not your fault. Do you understand?”

Hudson nodded.

“I didn’t tell you to upset you. I’m thinking that maybe the guy who pulled me back was Alfie. I think he’s been keeping an eye on both of us. Things have happened that at the time I couldn’t explain, so I just brushed them off. But now that I know he’s been around, it all makes sense.”

“So what are you saying?”

Seb was clearly trying to tell him something but appeared hesitant. “Look, I’m not excusing what the guy has done as Wolf or that he’s a different person from who he was as Alfie, but maybe… maybe Alfie isn’t completely gone. Maybe you’re the only thing that’s kept him from losing himself completely.”

He had so much to think about, and he was far too exhausted for that at the moment, but Seb was right. Hudson had a chance to at least speak with Alfie, or what was left of him, and from what he’d witnessed, perhaps there was some hope for them.

ONCE THEY were in Seb’s house, Hudson sat on the couch, with Seb dropping down beside him.

“So… where do you want to go on our honeymoon? Let’s make it somewhere far, far away from here.”

Hudson stared at Seb. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. When he opened his mouth again, only a laugh came out. Oh dear heavens, he’d lost his bloody mind. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop laughing.

Seb pulled him close, his deep laughter warming Hudson’s soul.

“Fuck,” Seb said through a laugh, letting his head fall back against the couch as he ran a hand up and down Hudson’s arm. “You couldn’t make this shit up, Lobito.”

Hudson straddled Seb’s lap and cupped his face. His expression fell, and he stroked Seb’s cheeks with his thumb. “We almost lost each other today. Let’s not make this a habit, ay?”

Seb wrapped his arms around Hudson’s waist, his smile falling away. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared. Actually, that’s not true. I was fucking beside myself when you were down in that elevator shaft, and in the hospital after you were shot. This time, though, all I kept thinking was that it was too soon. I’d only just gotten you back.” Seb took Hudson’s hand, the one with his wedding ring, and kissed it. “I wanted more time with my husband. So much more time.”

Hudson kissed him, putting his heart and soul into the kiss, letting him know how much he loved him, how happy he was to be here with him, married to him, bonded to him. Their lives had gone from madness to lunacy, but as long as Seb was with him, it would be all right.

“I love you so much,” he breathed against Seb’s lips. He let his forehead press against Seb’s.

“I love you too,” Seb replied. “Whatever happens, whatever storms come our way, I will be here, holding your hand, facing it with you. Now let’s go upstairs and consummate our marriage, Dr. Hobbs. I’ll let you take my temperature with your big, thick thermometer.”

Hudson slinked off Seb’s lap and crooked his finger at him. “Before we play doctor, we have a couple of stag nights to make up for.”

“Is that so?” Seb’s smile turned sinful as he stood, his eyes filled with fiery lust. “How about I be the predator, and you be the stag?” With a feral growl, he scooped Hudson up and carried him toward the stairs.

Hudson wrapped his arms around Seb’s neck, his heart overflowing with love for his mate, his husband, the man who owned his heart, and everything he was.

Always yours.