I knew Hudson was referring to the fact that he had never visited his father in prison. Part of him regretted that.
“Yeah, whatever, man. I really am sorry, Molly,” Xander said, his eye glazing over as they met mine.
And then Xander Creed was led away in handcuffs.
Hudson helped them take Tommo to an ambulance. I was walking behind with my father and Nix. I could hear he was apologising with a deep-rooted regret drumming along with every word. They then took Tommo away, the ambulance sirens whirring as they pulled into traffic. They suspected cracked ribs, but the rest of his wounds were superficial.
Hudson was instructed to take a seat on the edge of the doorway into another ambulance. There were police everywhere, searching the premises. I mentioned my lost necklace to one of the female police officers. It must have been in the club somewhere, but I couldn’t bring myself to go back in, and I couldn’t leave Hudson.
I could see Phoenix chatting up one of the paramedics, and I rolled my eyes.
Whilst Hudson was getting checked out, he and my father explained what had happened. Hudson had gone to ask for his help.
From the sound of things, the plan had been orchestrated by Hudson and had worked perfectly. The only hiccup had been the fight, which hadn’t been part of the plan, as Hudson could have damaged his phone. A call had been left open with Phoenix, who had been outside in my father’s car, recording the discussions. They needed to prove that the drugs belonged to Creed. Finding them on the premises may not have been enough to put him away for long.
“So?” my father said as he walked over. I was sitting next to Hudson with my head on his shoulder.
“So?” I said, looking up into my father’s eyes.
Any animosity he’d felt towards Hudson had lifted slightly, and they started talking about their brilliant plan. It was like I wasn’t there. There was still a wariness between them, but the fact that they were talking was such a relief.
I listened as Dad brought up the part where he had knocked Creed out with the baseball bat. It was like he hadn’t seen any action for years, and so had fed upon tonight’s drama.
“Are you OK to drive. Hudson?”
“Yes, sir,” he said respectfully.
“Then I’ll trust you to bring my daughter home safely.”
I smiled and stood up, hugging my father. I could tell from his words that he was giving my relationship with Hudson the OK.
A nurse started to clean the cut on Hudson’s head, and my father moved me to one side.
“Are you sure you’re OK. You seem so calm, considering what you’ve just been through. It must have been scary.”
“It was terrifying, but as soon as Hudson was there. I knew it would be OK. Don’t tell me how.”
“Yes. He clearly cares for you, Molly. I can see that now.”
“Does that mean you’re OK with me seeing him?”
“Look, if you’re happy. I’m happy. But that doesn’t mean I won’t break his legs if he steps out of line.”
I grinned and kissed his cheek. “I love you.”
It was the first time I had said it in years, and my father was truly humbled, his eyes welling up. “I love you, too, Mols.”
As I made my way back to Hudson, the nurse was back in the ambulance.
I cradled Hudson’s face.
“Does it hurt?” I asked, eyeing his wounds.
“Little bit. But not as much as when I thought of you in danger. Fuck. I’m so sorry, Molly.”
I kissed his face, careful not to hurt him.
His expression was pained, and he looked almost childlike. He was so big and strong and grown-up looking, it was easy to forget he was only a teenager.
