Ryder Policy
Page 7
If Ryder did in fact belong to Apollo, Simetra would have two choices: stay with Apollo, or spend her life fighting a losing custody battle. It would not take long for some kind of reputation damaging dirt to be disclosed about Simetra, or worse, she would simply disappear. Augustus Freemont had a way of making problems disappear, as did his sons.
The wind built up, howling around him, as though displaying its own annoyance. Hudson grumbled along with it. They all could have died today. They hadn't and there was still time.
The thought seemed to fly to him on the breeze. He shifted and winced. His arm hurt like hell. He had lost a lot of blood and he could feel his eyes droop with his exhaustion. Daylight seemed a million light-years away. His eyes closed of their own accord, as though he were powerless to stop the invasion of sleep. He felt perhaps he should rest, if only for a brief moment. Hudson was aware the second sleep occurred and his dream began.
Hudson had always been powerful. He had always been the predator, not the prey—until today. Today he had become vulnerable, and it was a feeling he loathed. In his dreamlike state he could sense his movements through the bush. His gait was unhurried, cautious. Barely a sound was made by the slight touch of foot to ground, but when Hudson looked down he was not wearing boots...he had hooves!
He tossed his heavy head, giving what he knew to be antlers a good shake. The feeling was neither unpleasant nor uncomfortable. His large body was a combination of sleek, yet bulk muscle and perhaps dainty picturesque. His idealistic thoughts were confirmed when he chanced a glance at himself in the calm clear lake. He was pleasantly stunned with his appearance. How magnificent he was!
Hudson tensed as he felt something gently brush his flank. A doe daintily bowed her head in deference towards him, and then sought to quench her own thirst. She was beautiful. A startling realization occurred to him; she was his! Then to her right a young fawn appeared. Its legs still wobbly, she ducked her head under her mother to nurse. A wave of deep desire to protect them both washed over him. He moved ever so cautiously closer. The doe's head rose to touch noses with him.
“We are in danger.”
Hudson heard her words within his mind.
“I will protect you.”
His thoughts thundered out with a roar. The young fawn cried out in a tiny bawl, startling him. A gunshot sounded. Hudson spun. Standing to his left were three hooded men; all held guns. The doe turned to flee, but her escape was cut short by a fourth man.
Enraged, Hudson lowered his great head and gored one of the men. In his dream-like state, Hudson knew it was a gun in his hand that had felled the man. Quickly he turned, his head gored—gun shot—another man. The doe screamed, the baby fawn cried. Hudson downed another. He turned to face his last attacker, but the man had the fawn within his grasp.
Slowly the fawn changed into Ryder, the doe was now Simetra, and Hudson was in his human form. Hudson dared not strike. He moved cautiously towards their assailant, arms splayed. If he could just get close enough. His entire attention remained centered on the man holding Ryder. The gun blast came as a surprise. There had been five men, not four. Hudson turned to see his attacker smiling, a surreal mist of smoke billowed from the discharged weapon to hide most of the man's face. Hudson felt no pain, but he knew he was going to die. He knew he had failed.
Hudson could feel himself spiral to the ground. He could hear the baby cry, he could hear his mate's desolate sound; Simetra's terror-filled cries. Crumbling, he hit the dirt. Everything went black. He knew he died. He had lost.
* * * *
Hudson awoke with a start. His hand clutched at his chest. He felt an eerie sense of foreboding, as though the dream were a warning. Never before had he experienced anything so despairing, and yet, he was left with a strange sense of profound power. He knew something was going to happen. He felt it in his guts. This dream meant something, he was positive. What it meant, he hadn't a clue. But he knew with all certainty he was going into battle, and he needed to be wary. The wind ruffled his hair.
He looked to the giant oaks, and with a small smile he muttered aloud: “I will be careful, and I will not fail!”
The sun was creeping into the horizon. Hudson was on the move. He plowed through the forest with determination. He needed to get to Simetra. Troy was waiting for him by his old, beat up looking jeep. The smile the man wore died on his face as Hudson appeared, harried and disheveled, and bloody before him.
“Holy shit! What in the hell happened to you?” the man exclaimed.
Hudson practically knocked him over in his haste to get behind the wheel.
“Uh, Hudson? Don't you think I should be the one driving? You look worse than dead crap.”
“Get in,” Hudson snarled, he turned over the ignition, and the jeep sprang to life. “I'll explain as we go.”
Troy hadn't even shut the door before the tire wheels were spinning into a fishtail. He grabbed his seat belt and jerked it on as they sideswiped a tree. “We're in for a helluva ride, huh?” Troy said, then grinned with wry amusement.
Hudson gunned the engine in reply.
“Rough trip?” Troy asked, he was looking unconcerned at their frantic pace.
For a brief moment they were airborne. The car landed with a thud, bounced and pitched forward. Hudson then grinned back at his friend. “Buddy, you have no idea.”
* * * *
Hudson stormed into Augustus Freemont's newest casino. Bloodied and clothes in disarray, he was a sight. A fearful sight to be sure, with an equally looking enraged Troy by his side. People flew off in different directions to get out of the barreling man's way lest he knock them down. Hudson wasted no time. He strode directly to Banner, grabbed him by the front of his shirt and in one heave had the man off his feet and eye level with him.
“Where are they?” Hudson snarled.
“They're fine,” came a voice to his left.
Hudson let Banner drop to the ground. He spun to face Apollo. “I want to see them both, now!” Hudson demanded. He closed in on him.
“I assure you my fiancee doesn't want anything to do with you,” Apollo declared.
For a brief moment Hudson felt like he had once more been shot, only this time in the gut. He recovered quickly. He had known Simetra would have only two choices if the baby were Apollo's; she had apparently made her decision. Well she's gonna unmake it! His thoughts stormed.
“I want to see her now!” he demanded again.
“On what grounds?” Augustus Freemont had appeared.
Hudson had come prepared for this. “Theft. She stole a few of my things.” He was pushing it, he knew, but he didn't care.
“I'm sure I can easily replace what went missing,” Augustus replied.
“Are you attempting to bribe an officer?” Troy asked. There was a dangerous glint mixed with amusement twinkling in his eyes that Hudson noticed.
With apparent resolve, Apollo conceded. He motioned for Hudson to follow him. Hudson walked closely by the man's side; he wasn't certain when he finally noticed Troy was suddenly missing.
“Where the hell is my partner?” Hudson demanded.
“Relax, he's fine. This business is just between you and Simetra,” Apollo replied.
For a brief second Hudson was worried. He had explained in detail the happenings of the last week to Troy; he knew Troy would be on his guard. Hudson was led to a large office. Once inside he spotted Simetra. She looked like she had been crying. She was holding Ryder. The baby smiled and waved at him. Her little arms outstretched to be held. She was wearing the most adorable pink outfit, obviously the most expensive in baby designer wear. A little stuffed fawn was clutched in her arms. Simetra, he noted, looked equally gorgeous in the brand new clothing she wore.
Hudson gathered them both into his arms. “Are you okay?” he asked.
“I'm not hurt.” Her reply spoke volumes.
“I'm going to get you out of here,” he promised in a low voice.
“How?”
Hudson moved
away from her. “You need to come with me,” he voiced loudly.
“She isn't going anywhere,” Apollo replied, his tone was calm.
“You need to come with me too, Apollo, you and your men here. There's a little matter of my weapons that need to be resolved. You're needed downtown for questioning as well involving your roles in Terrance's death,” Hudson replied. He didn't mention Troy had an extra Sig he had gladly handed over.
“We didn't take your weapons, I'm sure you'll find them at the bottom of the ravine with Terrance, and we all saw Terrance fall over the cliff. It was an accident,” Apollo again answered calmly. “If you need me or my fiancee we will gladly come in after I feel she is well enough to give our statements. She is still quite tired from being out in the bush. You can contact our lawyer.”
“She was dumped out into the bush with a baby,” Hudson snapped. He was not walking out of there without Simetra and Ryder.
“A simple misunderstanding. Now if that's settled, I think it's time for you to go,” Apollo replied.
“You're being asked to leave politely,” Banner intervened. “Don't make me lose my temper.”
Hudson had enough. He took Simetra by the arm and just started walking for the door. Apollo lunged, but Hudson released Simetra and gave her a shove out of harm's way. When Apollo grabbed him he spun around and smashed a hard fist into Apollo's face.
“That's for attempting to assault a police officer,” he snapped.
Banner was the next to make his move. He took a cheap shot at Hudson's bloody arm. When his fist collided with his wound and Hudson saw stars, he determined if he was in space Banner would damn well join him. The blow he sent cracked into Banner's jaw and sent him flying over a desk. The other two men had seen enough; both attacked Hudson at once. Hudson spun into a roundhouse that sent the first man to reach him flying. His back had no sooner crashed into a wall when the other man joined him, head first.
His blood flowing, his heart racing, Hudson felt something small hit his back; he turned and withdrew his weapon at the same time. He fired. Augustus Freemont stood poised in the now open doorway. The gun he held in his right hand slid soundlessly to the carpeted floor. His eyes were wide in surprise. His wounded look settled onto Hudson.
“How?” he mouthed quietly. “How?” Louder this time. “How did you know I was here?”
Hudson just stared at him as he fell to the floor. The corner of his eye caught the stuffed fawn lying on the ground near him. For a brief moment his dream flashed into his mind.
The next few minutes were a blur to Hudson. He knew Troy was beside him. He could hear Simetra weeping. There were cops everywhere. A paramedic was bandaging his arm. Another was working on Freemont. Apollo and the others were being led away in handcuffs, where everything would be straightened out at police headquarters.
Hudson ran a shaky hand down Simetra's hair. He chucked Ryder under her chin.
“Thank you for coming for us,” Simetra whispered into his ear.
“Was there ever any doubt?” he replied.
“No,” she admitted.
Hudson refused to be placed on a stretcher. He clasped Simetra close and walked them to the ambulance, where all three climbed into the back together.
“We have a lot to talk about,” Hudson said. Simetra nodded her agreement.
“Apollo says Ryder is his. He says he can take her from me if I leave him.”
“I won't let that happen.”
“Promise?” She gazed up at him so hopefully he felt his heart melt.
“Promise.”
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Chapter Nine
“Well?” Simetra asked anxiously.
She was bouncing from foot to foot in dreaded anticipation. Once reaching the hospital Hudson had a smear of Apollo's blood taken from his own shirt, and a swab of Ryder's mouth. Simetra had to know for certain if Apollo had been lying about Ryder's parentage.
Hudson stood before her; he was a mess. He was wearing a hospital gown while still in filthy jeans. His hair was disheveled. She had been so happy to see him when he had appeared in Apollo's office. She had known he would come. She trusted him. She had only agreed to Apollo's proposal fearing she had no choice. She had spent the last twenty-four hours thinking of Hudson. Of his gentleness, his caring, his power. She knew she cared a great deal for him.
“The DNA is a match,” Hudson declared. Simetra felt as though she had been punched.
Hudson gathered her into his embrace. “It has some characteristics, Simetra. It's okay, I promise. Apollo is definitely related, her uncle perhaps, but he's not her father. It would appear Max and he were half-brothers.”
Simetra collapsed against him. “Why did Apollo lie?”
“I don't know. But when he was informed he seemed genuinely surprised. He had been under the impression Ryder was his because of Terrance's accusations. I guess Terrance had doctored a test. Because Max and Apollo were related it was easy enough to give Apollo the impression Ryder was his. Apollo apparently had no idea Max was his half-brother. I'm guessing Augustus was going to take that piece of information to his grave.”
“Terrance was given a great deal of money for his information on Ryder when he approached Apollo. But when Apollo realized Terrance was going to have both you and the baby killed he panicked. He was away on business and had Banner take you somewhere safe.”
“To you?”
“Who better to keep you safe but a cop in the middle of nowhere?”
“True,” she replied. She went to sit, quietly contemplating. “But why did Terrance kill Max? I know they hated each other, but to kill him?”
“Terrance somehow found out Max was related to Freemont. Before his surgery Augustus mumbled something about an old love letter to Max and Terrance's mother. You gotta love pain meds and their ability to loosen the tongue. Terrance knew you and Apollo had been intimate, I'm guessing he bribed someone on the inside for that bit of information.”
“It seems Terrance had always hated Max, calling him the favored one. He never knew why he always seemed to come in second with his mother. When he found out his mother loved Max's father more he went ballistic. I guess he figured he would kill Max for the insurance money.”
“He wanted it all, your money, Max's, Apollo's, revenge. Terrance knew the money would come to you, we found the real will. Ryder isn't even mentioned. Max never added the baby, he never sold you out. It means he never believed Terrance. I don't think we'll have any problem fingering Terrance for Max's death. You were right all along, Max was murdered, and he never chose to leave you. You're not penniless, Simetra, in fact you appear to be quite wealthy.”
“But Ryder is still related to the Freemont's,” Simetra said with worry.
“After the stunt Freemont pulled, I doubt you'll have any worries over him trying to have access to his granddaughter. Especially since Ryder's father will be a cop. That is, if you'll have me?”
Her head snapped in his direction, her mouth dropped open. Hudson dropped to one knee before her. He looked sheepish as he pulled a plastic gumball ring out of his pocket.
“Sorry, it was the best I could do on short notice,” he said apologetically.
Simetra continued to just stare openmouthed at him.
“Simetra, will you marry me? I promise to be a good father and husband. I had a lot of time to think last night while lying on the forest floor, and dreaming. I'm in love with you, I love Ryder, too.”
Simetra smiled, she launched herself into his arms. “Yes!”
From the crib next to them Ryder awoke. Her eyes lit up when she saw Hudson. “Da, Da!” she exclaimed.
“You got that right. I am Da, Da.”
Hudson rose from his knee to pick the baby up into his arms. Simetra wrapped her arms around them both. Ryder waved at something over their shoulders and then handed Hudson her stuffed fawn.
“Maybe you were right about Artemis and Dryads,” Simetra said teasingly.
Simetra looked at him curiously.
“I read Ryder's first name on the hospital chart, it would appear you use her second name,” he stated. “Looks like your mother isn't the only one to be a wee bit fantastical!”
Simetra blushed. “Temisra. I just rearranged the letters...just in case.”
Hudson laughed. “Temisra Ryder. With all of that adoration it's no wonder we had all that protection. It looks as though Artemis must have had her own ‘Ryder policy'!”
The End
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* * *
About The Author
C. L. Scholey lives in her Ontario home with her husband and daughters. She is currently working on a new novel. For more info please check out her web site, www.clscholey.com.
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