“The latest acquisition from Max’s team.” He dropped the tiny object back into the inside pocket of his suit jacket and smoothed his tie. “Some sort of noise distortion device. It will allow us to speak freely.”
The tiny bistro was already buzzing with sounds of every kind, from the clanking of dishes to the animated conversations at the crowded bar. It was difficult to even hear the person across from you, much less at another table. Unless . . .
“Do you think Julian bugged this place?”
“I never underestimate the competition, Alessandra. And at this point there’s no telling the lengths to which he will go.” Hudson poured more Chianti into her glass. “Whoever is watching us tonight will only be able to decipher our conversation through facial expressions and body language.”
She nodded, and her gaze instinctively shifted to the large window beside their table. Outside people hurried down the sidewalk and cars clogged all four lanes of traffic. In the distance, tourists milled about in front of the historic Water Tower, posing for pictures or embarking on carriage rides. Hudson had not only chosen the restaurant for its proximity to the busy plaza, but he also made sure they were seated right in front of the glass. The hostess seemed surprised that he preferred the fishbowl location over the intimate booth she’d been leading them to, but the fifty slipped discreetly into her palm settled the matter rather quickly.
“Relax, Allie.” Hudson’s tone was meant to reassure her, but it did nothing to quell the anxiety buzzing through her veins. Someone was out there watching their every move. Making small talk was proving more difficult than she’d anticipated.
She poked at her wood-fired pizza. The combination of burrata, arugula, and white truffle oil was usually one of her favorites, but tonight it sat largely untouched.
“Tell me about last night’s projections,” he said in what was obviously an effort to distract her. “Did they hit their target?”
Allie reached for her wine. Despite taking a hefty gulp, she barely tasted it.
“Exceeded, actually. And by quite a bit. Of course that was largely due to the generous check you wrote.”
“Worth every cent to see my brother in a tuxedo.”
A thought occurred to her, and for the first time since they sat down, a genuine smile curved Allie’s lips. “I heard he got a puppy.”
A crease formed between Hudson’s brows. “Yes, seems the redhead thought it would be good for him.”
“Hudson, you know her name is Harper.”
“Fine. Harper,” he said, stressing her name, “can clean up after the thing next time. The little mutt relieved herself everywhere but on the damn pad.”
Allie covered her mouth with her napkin.
“I know the napkin trick, Alessandra. You’re enjoying a laugh at my expense.” His gaze softened. “But I’m glad you have a reason to smile.”
“You’ve given me so many reasons to smile, Hudson.”
“And I plan to keep it that way.”
The waiter appeared at the table with the check. After handing over his credit card, Hudson turned his attention back to Allie. “But for now, I believe it’s time for you to lower the boom.”
“Well, seeing as how you need to look somewhat upset over what I have to say, shall we discuss last night’s Bulls’ game?”
Hudson frowned. “The refs decided that game, not the players.”
Bingo. Within no time Hudson was leaning back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest and his brow knit together. To prying eyes he looked like a man who’d just been given an ultimatum.
He stood in a rush when Allie rose from her chair. “My limo is outside,” he said, tossing his napkin down on the table.
Her eyes darted to the window. “Do you think that’s wise?”
“You supposedly just gave me the opportunity to win you back. I don’t believe a ride home would be out of the question.” He placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her out of the restaurant. Max was already standing on the sidewalk with the rear door held open. Allie slid inside, waiting while Hudson exchanged a few hushed words with his right-hand man before joining her on the leather bench. The door had no sooner closed when she crawled into his lap, taking full advantage of the privacy afforded by the dark tinted glass.
“Hold me?”
His arms were already encircling her. “You don’t ever have to ask.”
Allie rested her head on his shoulder. Normally his mere proximity had her melting against his chest, but even that wasn’t enough to ease the tension racking her frame. “Did Max have any news?”
Hudson exhaled. “Unfortunately, no. Although he did spot a supposed tourist taking photos of our table.”
“One of Julian’s men?”
He gave a tight nod. “Appears so.”
“He’s going to want an update. The board meeting next month is making him anxious.”
“Tell him I’ve agreed.”
Allie lifted her head. “To give me your shares of Ingram?” Her voice sounded several octaves too high. It was a ridiculous concession, one she would never take him up on. But still, to hear him agree, even in theory, took her aback.
“Yes, Julian knows how I feel about you. His entire plan hinges on his belief that I will do whatever it takes to win you back. He will be expecting nothing less. There’s no predicting his actions if it even appears as though I might not agree.” Allie opened her mouth but Hudson answered her unspoken question with his next breath. “It won’t accelerate his timetable. He knows how long it takes to have paperwork of that nature drawn up and processed. If anything, the false sense of progress might get him to ease up on you a bit.” His fingers stroked rhythmically down her back. “In the meantime, I’ve put every resource at Max’s disposal. If there’s proof to leverage against Julian, he will eventually find it.”
“That’s just it, Hudson—I’m starting to think there’s nothing to find. The shooter is dead and no one in Julian’s inner circle is going to risk ending up with the same fate. Your team has been working on this for weeks and we’re no further along than we were when this whole mess started.” She let out a stuttering breath. “He’s going to get away with it.”
Hudson reached for her hand. “He won’t. We’ll figure something out.”
Hot tears pricked her eyes as she pictured the smug expression on Julian’s face that afternoon at his chateau. “If you could have seen the way he gloated.” Her words shook with emotion. “He talked about planning their murder like it was one of those crime dramas he loves so much.” An idea hit her like a physical jolt and she sat up straight. “That’s it,” she said, her voice strong and clear for the first time all night. “I need to get him on tape bragging about it.”
“Absolutely not.”
“It’s the only chance I have to end this once and for all.”
“No fucking way.”
“Why not?”
Hudson stared at her as though she’d lost her mind. “Aside from the obvious?”
When she didn’t budge, he let out an aggravated breath and continued. “Even if this wasn’t out of the question, and even if you were successful, there’s no guarantee the courts would allow it. That type of evidence is evaluated on a case by case basis.”
She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I wasn’t planning to march into the police station with it or he might retaliate against you and Nick. I just need to hold it over his head. A trade of information.”
Beneath her, Hudson’s entire body tensed. “Goddammit, Allie,” he practically shouted as he shifted her off his lap. “You can’t be fucking serious.” His words came in an angry rush. “That asshole is a loaded gun waiting to go off. There’s no telling what he’ll do if he feels backed into a corner. If you think I’m letting you put yourself in that kind of danger, even for one minute . . .” A muscle in his jaw ticked, and she knew the image of Julian forcing her over the back of the sofa filled his mind the same as it did hers.