Blindsided - Chapter 6

But why would Allison lie about her mother being ill?

Erica felt awful questioning the other woman’s honesty, especially when she really didn’t have a good reason not to believe her. Allison was a hard worker and talented. She hadn’t done anything for Erica to doubt her story, but…

Just stop judging and let it go, she berated herself.

She and Allison talked for a few minutes longer, and Erica made a few suggested changes. She felt good about what her team had come up with for the client.

Connie returned when Allison left the office. “Does she still wig you out? Do you want me to run a background check on her?” she whispered and followed Erica to the desk.

“I never said she wigged me out. I said I get a strange vibe from her, and no. We already did a background check,” Erica said.

Connie had the means to dig deeper than the basic background check. But Allison hadn’t done anything that warranted that type of intrusion. Besides, she was leaving.

“Let’s get back to our conversation. Kevin always wanted the best for you and Nakia, and he’d hate knowing that you’ve practically stopped living because of memories of him. Don’t let fear keep you from experiencing a love of a lifetime.”

“I already had that with Kevin.”

“And you act as if you can’t have that again. You’re one of the lucky few who has found love twice. Don’t let Hudson get away.”

In all honesty, Erica couldn’t imagine her life without him in it, and she really did want to see where their relationship would go. She could totally see them married and maybe having one or two children together.

Connie’s cell phone rang, and she frowned when she glanced at the screen.

“What’s wrong?” Erica asked.

“I’m not sure, but I need to take this call.”

Erica returned her attention to tidying her desk, but stopped when her sister asked, “What hospital?” She glanced over her shoulder and knew something was very wrong when they made eye contact.

Hudson was currently at one of the large hotels on the Las Vegas strip, providing security for Shawn Taylor. The Oscar-winning actor was notorious for getting into brawls, which seemed to add to his appeal with his fans.

The moment that Connie disconnected, Erica pounced. “What happened? Please tell me that…”

Connie held her hands out in front of her. “Don’t freak out, but Hudson’s hurt and he’s been taken to the hospital.”

Oh, God. Please let him be all right.

Anxiety swarmed through Erica like bees hovering near a hive. If Hudson was badly hurt, she didn’t know what she would do. She couldn’t go through something like this again. Once had been enough.

“I shouldn’t have let things get serious between us. I knew something like this could happen. His job is too dangerous.” She blinked back tears that were threatening to fall. “I can’t do this aga—”

“Stop!” Connie snapped. That one word resounded like a whip cracking through the quietness in the car. “Noah said he was fine. They went to the hospital as a precaution. He’s going to be pissed that I even told you.”

Erica jerked her head toward Connie, who was driving. “So that means that if we hadn’t been together when you got the call, you wouldn’t have told me?”

“Not until I knew exactly what was going on.”

“I can’t believe you. If anything else happens where he’s hurt, seriously or not, your ass better tell me.”