“Uh-huh. That’s why they’re bloodthirsty maniacs—because of drugs.” Sarcasm dripped from her tone.
“It’s true. The last time I saw my brother, he was a different person. Snapping in and out of rages, confused about where he was and what he was doing. I heard about the drugging from an Enforcer deserter we came across this summer, and after I told Dom about it, he weaned himself off the cocktail. So did some of his men, other Enforcers he trusts with his life. They’re all sick about what Ferris is ordering them to do to outlaws.”
That triggered another harsh laugh in Reese. “Right. I bet they cry themselves to sleep every night. Sorry, honey, but you’re not convincing me of a damn thing here. I don’t give a shit that he’s your brother—he can’t be trusted. He’s the enemy.”
“Reese—”
She held up her hand to silence the woman, the anger in her gut boiling over. “He kills people, Hudson. He sends troops to hunt us down and kill us!”
Hudson gave a stubborn shake of her head. “That’s not Dom. It’s Ferris. Dominik believed in the Surrender Law. He used to give outlaws a chance to willingly move to West City.”
“Willingly?” Reese scoffed. “Bullshit. Anyone who said no would be executed.”
“But at least they were given a choice!” Hudson exhaled in a long rush, then inhaled deeply as if trying to calm herself. “Look. I’m not defending the Enforcers, okay? I’m not defending the council or their crazy laws or the way they view and treat everyone in the free land. All I’m saying is that Dominik is not like them.”
In that moment, Reese realized that it was more than exquisite looks that drew Connor to this woman. Hudson radiated the kind of strength that Reese appreciated, a fiery confidence you didn’t usually find in a citizen. Then again, Hudson was no regular citizen. She was born in West City, but raised on the Enforcer compound. Her father had been a council member, and, before his death, the commander of the Enforcers.
“Dom hates what’s happening in the city right now,” Hudson went on. “He hates Ferris and the council, and he wants to help us. If we tell him ahead of time which outposts we’re hitting, he can make it easier for us. Assign certain Enforcers to certain stations . . . Enforcers who buy into Ferris’s bullshit. And the ones who are loyal to Dom will work with us to take out the outposts.”
Reese leaned forward in her chair. “As tempting as that sounds, I’m gonna have to pass. I don’t trust your brother. Period.”
Hudson released a tired breath. “Fine. Don’t trust him then. It was worth a shot.” She slowly made her way to the door, but hesitated before turning the knob. “I have one other request . . . I’m trying to look out for my brother. I don’t care if you don’t trust him, because I trust him, and so does Connor.” Her jaw tightened for a moment, and then a puff of breath escaped. “I told Connor I’d follow your orders, so if you don’t want me to warn Dominik, I won’t. But that means there’s a chance Dom might be at one of the outposts, because he stops in on them from time to time. And if he is there, and your attack is successful, I’m asking you to spare him. Take him hostage, lock him up, do whatever you want to him, but please, don’t kill him.”
Reese arched one brow. Damn, Con’s woman had some balls.
“At least keep him alive long enough for me to say good-bye to him,” Hudson pleaded.
“I’ll think about it.” With a shrug, she stood up and joined Hudson by the door. “Anything else you want to discuss or are we done here?” she asked with feigned politeness.
“One more thing.” Hudson flicked up a brow of her own. “Beckett told me you’re screwing Rylan.”
A startled chuckle flew out. “Oh, did he?”
“I’m sure Rylan will tell me about it himself, eventually.” Hudson’s expression hardened with each passing second. “And when he does, I’m going to pat him on the back and congratulate him for finally convincing you to fuck him.”
Reese narrowed her eyes. Where the hell was Hudson going with this?
“But I don’t understand his obsession with you, and trust me, I’m not thrilled that he’s put himself in this position.”
“What position?” Reese asked warily.
“In the position to get hurt.” Hudson’s tone was flat, disappointed even. “You’re not a soft woman, Reese. You’re not particularly nice either. I get that you have to put on this big, tough act in order to look like a strong, capable leader for your people, but Rylan doesn’t need his spirit crushed by some cold, hard bitch—”
Oh, hell no. Reese curled both hands into fists to stop herself from pounding the other woman’s face in.