Hudson Read online

  HUDSON

  Refuse to compromise.

  Shayne McClendon

  HUDSON by Shayne McClendon

  Copyright © 2013 Shayne McClendon

  Published by Always the Good Girl LLC

  www.alwaysthegoodgirl.com

  All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Also by Shayne McClendon

  The Barter System

  Yes to Everything

  Damaged

  In the Service of Women

  Obsession - Endurance

  A Little Bit Country – Volume One

  Being Delightful

  The Hermit

  The Great Outdoors Collection

  Love of the Game Collection

  Gravity

  Roadside Assistance

  Compilations

  Just a Little Kilted – with Alexandra Andersen

  Just a Little Crazy – with Alexandra Andersen

  All the Better To – with Christopher Southers

  Dedication

  I’d like to thank my best friend, Alexandra Andersen for talking me off the ledge I like to climb up on when my creative flow gets shaken up. I managed to sabotage our entire editorial schedule and she’s still talking to me!

  This book was an exercise in new ways of losing it. I’d written two-thirds of it – thought I was almost finished – when the entire plot went sideways. The story I originally intended was hijacked by my main character and he refused to compromise in any way.

  I removed more than 30,000 words that no longer “fit” and wrote another 50,000 I hadn’t planned on. I rearranged entire chapters, cut and re-pasted multiple scenes in new orders, and (basically) completely re-wrote the damn thing.

  I hope you enjoy Hudson…the man is (still) an enigma. That pretty much guarantees you will see him again.

  Much love,

  Shayne

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Epilogue

  Sneak Peek of Backstage by Shayne McClendon

  Date Night by Shayne McClendon

  About Shayne McClendon

  Chapter One

  Gabriella Hernandez knew things were about to get bad. No one could live in New York – even in a crappy apartment – without money.

  There was no way she was calling her parents who would worry and send her a plane ticket instead of help until she could find a job and a place to live. Her mother would cry and her father would be bitterly disappointed in her choices.

  She couldn’t call her older sister who would rant for an hour in rapid Spanish with a strong emphasis on, “I told you…didn’t I tell you?”

  The sad part was Izzy had told her…several times…and Brie hadn’t listened.

  Their last conversation had taken place just yesterday.

  “Hudson loves me, Isabella. He’s been courting me all this time. Don’t you think I know him by now? He wants me to come to Manhattan, Izzy! He wants me to live with him and he’ll help me find a job. I can finally use my degree. Why can’t you be happy for me? I don’t want to stay here anymore. I’m tired of this town.”

  Older by two years, Izzy pushed her hair back from her face, smiling at the curls that would not be contained without a whip and an industrial straightener.

  “Brie, please listen. You don’t know this man. In all this time, he hasn’t met your family. You have big plans and I get that. Caution, that’s all I’m asking for. It seems too good to be true – can’t you see that?”

  Brie pushed herself away from Izzy with a grunt. “I do what everyone else wants. All the time. I’m such a good girl and for what? I’m twenty-eight. I have no man, no life, and no real career. I haven’t been anywhere and I just want to go.”

  Turning back, she took in her beautiful sister’s long, lean looks and gave her a self-mocking smile. “We don’t even look related.”

  For once, the sadness about their difference in appearance didn’t hurt as much. She gave the credit for that to Hudson. He told her all the time, “I love you just as you are, Gabriella.” He never shortened her name. Never made her feel like the younger sister without a real future.

  “Why do you always do that, Brie? Why do you think you’re less than when you are wonderful and beautiful in so many ways?”

  She didn’t know why but it always seemed so important.

  Today, she boarded a plane and left her small town in eastern Washington for New York. Her mother and father were unable to hide their panic.

  “Call us when you land, Brie. Don’t forget.”

  “I won’t forget, Papa.”

  She hugged them both then moved to her sister. “I love you, Izzy.”

  “I love you, too. Please be careful. Call me if you need anything. I don’t care what it is.” As they hugged, she added, “Between us. I won’t breathe a word to Mom and Dad if you need help. I just want you to be safe. You’re my only sister, you know?”

  With a nod and tears in her eyes, she picked up her backpack and carry-on, turned, and entered the security checkpoint. The flight was uneventful and when she landed in La Guardia, she knew she would never want to live without the hustle and bustle of city life again.

  She took a cab to Hudson’s condo. Barely able to contain her excitement, she waited patiently as the concierge buzzed his place without answer. Sitting down to wait in the beautiful lobby, she smiled at the doorman until he relented and smiled back.

  “This is my first trip to New York. It’s very beautiful. Very different from Washington. That’s where I’m from.”

  “A rookie! You’ll have much to see and do while you’re here.” It was a beautiful late-summer day, starting to cool down but still a long way from the cold she knew was coming.

  Brie glanced at the concierge and he smiled with a little shake of his head. “What brings you to New York, miss?”

  “Please call me Brie…I’m Gabriella Hernandez. It’s nice to meet you.” Holding out her hand, the doorman shook it with a look of confusion on his face. “I moved here for love, if that doesn’t sound too nauseating and cliché.”

  “My name is Henry, miss.”

  The concierge came from behind the desk to approach her. “I’m sorry. Brie, right?” She nodded cheerfully. “I’m Carlo. The tenant you asked us to ring for you, Hudson Winters…is that…the man you came here to New York for?”

  Brie nodded and felt her smile slip at the silent communication that passed between the two men. That feeling, the one her grandmother and both of her aunts got sometimes, fluttered in the pit of her stomach.

  “Why? What is it?”

  Carlo parted his lips to reply when the front door opened. A group of three people entered the lobby laughing and holding hands. Two of the most beautiful men she’d ever seen held a vibrantly pretty brunette between them.

  “Henry! Don’t rush! We are capable of opening the door, you know. Don’t let us interrupt.”

  “Miss Riya. Lovely day, isn’t it?”

 
; “Always. All of them are pretty spectacular.” The brunette paused in front of Brie and held out her hand. “I’m Riya. Are you new here?”

  The men on either side of her smiled as if she fascinated them. Unable to deny the woman’s enthusiastic nature, she nodded and shook her hand.

  “I…I think I am. I’m here to see Hudson Winters…?” Riya’s fingers tightened imperceptibly on Brie’s and the flutter in her stomach intensified. Looking around at all of them, she whispered, “Please. Can someone tell me what’s going on?”

  Without looking away, one of the beautiful men with Riya said quietly, “Carlo, please have Rodney hold the car for a bit longer.” He had the most beautiful English accent but Brie was unable to enjoy it. She sat down on the leather bench behind her with a rapidly rising feeling of dread.

  “Yes, Mr. Micah.”

  Riya sat beside her and said, “How do you know Hudson, Brie?”

  She felt foolish and inexplicably afraid. “The winery where I work. He visited there two years ago.” The other woman held her gaze. “He’s been coming back every few months since. He…told me to come.” Swallowing past the lump in her throat was painful. “Can’t you tell me what’s happened?”

  “Maybe nothing. Possibly a misunderstanding. These are my husbands, Max and Micah.” At the widening of Brie’s eyes, she laughed. “Don’t let us frighten you off. We’re shockingly normal once you get to know us.”

  With a pat on her hand, Riya stood and tugged Brie up with her.

  “Why don’t you come up and have coffee while you wait? Carlo will ring the penthouse when Hudson arrives. I promise you’ll be safe. I can’t just leave you in the lobby.”

  At that moment, the front door slammed wide and a powerful figure stood there with a phone to his ear. “Henry! I don’t believe you’re paid to fraternize with the fucking tenants. One job. Door. Man. Let’s see if we can make that happen, shall we?”

  He glared at Max and Micah but inclined his head at Riya. Brie could tell it was his attempt at civility. The woman Brie had only known for a handful of minutes laid her hand on his forearm as he neared and he stopped as if startled that she had touched him.

  “Wait just a moment, if you don’t mind, Hudson.” Her eyes met Brie’s over her shoulder. “Do you recognize this man?”

  Brie stood up straight and took in the big man’s expensive suit, watch, and shoes with a roll of her eyes. “No. I do not.” All the stress of the situation bubbled up inside her and she sucked her teeth. “Money might buy many things but not manners apparently.”

  He snapped his phone shut and faced her fully. He was almost as tall as Riya’s men were. What he lacked in height, he made up for in physical presence. He glared at her from pure black eyes, taking her in like a mosquito he wanted to slap flat.

  With a slight forward lean, he cocked his head, and said in a low voice, “What the fuck did you just say to me?”

  Hands on her hips, she matched his posture exactly. Each word was perfectly enunciated.

  “I said…money does not buy manners. You are an asshole. Using your fucking wealth…” She made a dismissive gesture at his clothing. “Your supposed power to trample on people in service positions. Pretty shitty behavior for a child much less a grown-ass man. I suppose it would kill you to say please and thank you. Maybe not denigrate the staff so you can feel superior just because you don’t open doors for a living.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her hip. Izzy called it the Mexicana fuck you stance. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself. I’m damn well ashamed for you.”

  “Brie. This is Hudson Winters.” Riya’s voice came quietly from just behind her.

  The feeling became a rock instantly and she nodded once in acknowledgement. “Something told me…never mind.” She laughed bitterly. “Obviously, I’ve been played. I’ve never seen this man before in my life and I don’t give a damn if I never do again. I’d likely kill him inside a week.”

  She murmured a few choice insults under her breath in Spanish.

  Stooping, she gathered her things and smiled at Riya and her men. “Thank you for trying to help. Some things are not meant to be. It was nice to meet you all.”

  Desperate to escape before she had a nervous breakdown, she headed for the door.

  Over her shoulder, she called, “Henry, Carlo…you’re fantastic. Thank you for putting me at ease during a situation that must have been hellishly awkward for you. Have a lovely day.”

  Riya turned to go after Brie but Hudson grabbed her upper arm.

  Max stepped between them. “Hands fucking off, mate.”

  Hudson Winters released his neighbor with a murmured apology as he stared after the young woman who’d dressed him down as no one had dared in his life other than his mother.

  He couldn’t help watching her ass as she walked away.

  “What the fuck is going on?” Riya turned her frown on him and he recognized another woman with the power to make him feel bad. She actually ground her teeth as she took a deep breath. “Excuse my language, Riya. Who was that woman?”

  “Jesus, you’re an ass, Winters,” Micah said furiously. “If you could have been civil for a few solid minutes in a row we might have been able to get more details.”

  His accent was more pronounced with his irritation and under other circumstances, Hudson would have provoked him just because he could.

  Sighing, Riya turned to Henry. “Please keep her in sight.” He nodded and she looked at her men. “I’ll need Rodney to do some running around today. Will you need him?”

  Max smiled. “Love, you do realize we all live to serve you, correct? We can drive ourselves but I think we’ll be staying in for the afternoon.” His accent was similar to Micah’s yet a touch gentler.

  Henry went to the glass doors. “She’s at the entrance to the park. She looks distressed. I’ll not lose her, ma’am. Mr. Winters, she said her name was Gabriella Hernandez.”

  Nodding curtly at the doorman, Hudson put his hands on his hips and waited for Riya to explain what was happening.

  She rolled her eyes. “I realize you like things to move at a lightning pace, Hudson, but you’re going to have to wait your turn.” Gesturing to Carlo, he stepped behind his desk and handed her a pen and piece of paper. She jotted a couple of notes down. “Did she say where she was from?”

  “Washington, Miss Riya.”

  The pen tapped her lower lip. “Definitely Washington State since she mentioned a winery.” Hudson set his palm on the counter beside her and lifted his brow. “Dear lord, you’re impatient. I gather Miss Hernandez has been swindled by a man impersonating you.”

  He drew himself up to his full height and any other woman would have taken a step back at the thunderous expression on his face. Riya didn’t notice. “We don’t know to what extent but the person definitely told her to come here. She just arrived in New York today.”

  “Someone must have run a con on her,” Max added.

  Opening his mouth to rage, Hudson was interrupted by Henry. “Oh dear. She made a phone call and now she’s absolutely overwrought. Poor thing. Shall I bring her back, Miss Riya?”

  “Riya, not that I’d dream of leaving a woman stranded alone in New York, but what exactly do you intend to do now?” Micah moved to stand beside her.

  “I’m going to find out what happened. If she wants to stay in New York, I’ll help her find a job and a place to live. Otherwise, we’ll help her get back home.” Raising her brows, she dared any of the men present to argue with her.

  Max leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “Tell us what you need.”

  “I need her to come back.” The way she rubbed her hands together made everyone nervous. “Then I can help. You know how I love to help.”

  Hudson shocked them all when he offered, “She can work for the building if she doesn’t think it’s beneath her. I have an apartment she can rent. Anyone breathes a word that either of those offers is connected to me and I will rescind them instantly.�
��

  Riya patted his arm consolingly. “I know. It would be such a crime for the world to find out you’re not the evil bastard you like them to think you are.” Hudson’s eyes widened but he said nothing. “I take it you’ll track down the person using your name to rob unsuspecting women?”

  His smile was absolutely frightening. “You can guarantee it.”

  He looked at Carlo. “Pull the information on the apartment and give it to Riya. Give it a couple of hours before you make the job offer. I’ll cover her salary since she’s an addition to the approved budget. Nothing higher than a maid. Let’s see if she shows up and does the job. Understood?”

  “Perfectly, sir.”

  “I need to make some phone calls. Keep me informed.”

  He probably wouldn’t have been amused if he’d seen Riya salute him smartly before sticking out her tongue.

  Hudson rode the elevator to his penthouse and walked to the wall of windows.

  Something wasn’t right and he thought he knew exactly what – and who – it was. He took the stairs two at a time to the upper floor, entered his office, and dialed the phone number for a man who did not exist.

  “Hollow.”

  “Winters. I need information within the hour. Can you do it?”

  “Don’t insult me. My normal fee plus a little extra by way of an apology in the normal account in ten minutes. Give me names.”

  “Run my name as well as a woman by the name of Gabriella Hernandez.” With growing fury, he added between gritted teeth. “Run Christina Underton again.”

  Without saying goodbye, the computer hacker hung up. Hudson began the wire transfer from his slush account in the Caymans to an account in Switzerland under a numbered account for a name that was not Hollow.

  He pulled off his jacket and tie, rolled up his sleeves, and walked into the closet his girlfriend used in his master bedroom.

  It took him eight minutes to find her stash of cash and drugs. Another three to locate the shoebox that held identities in the names of more than a dozen women.

  With rage riding him fast and hot, he took the rubber band off a stack of documents with the initials “GH” on them. Passport, driver’s license, social security card, and a birth certificate in the name of Gabriella Lenora Hernandez. A photo of Christina wearing a black wig with different backgrounds was professionally attached to each piece of forged paper.