Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 102

He clung to her like a drowning man who had finally found driftwood, terrified to let go.

Nora was crushed so tightly she could barely breathe, but she didn't struggle.

She simply rubbed his back in gentle, rhythmic strokes, just as he had comforted her not so long ago.

One stroke, two, three...

Minutes bled away.

Slowly, his violent trembling subsided. His breathing evened out, and his racing heartbeat returned to a steady rhythm, though his arms remained locked around her waist.

"Did I scare you?" his raspy voice sounded right against her ear.

Nora shook her head. "No."

Hudson’s hold tightened slightly as he drew her closer.

He dipped his head, resting his nose against the crown of her hair, and took a deep breath.

The scent of her shampoo, mixed with her natural, sweet warmth, seeped into his lungs, quelling the last of the violent storm raging inside him.

"You get panic attacks too, don't you?" Nora's voice was muffled against his chest.

Hudson stiffened.

"When my anxiety hits, my heart races, I can't breathe, I break out in a cold sweat, and sometimes I just shake..."

She tilted her head back to look at him. "Your symptoms just now... they were exactly like mine."

Hudson remained silent.

He stared down at her, her reflection perfectly captured in his dark eyes. Something profound flickered in his gaze before vanishing.

"I know a really brilliant doctor. When I get a hold of him, I'll have him check on you. Okay?"

Hudson gently brushed his thumb across her palm.

"Okay."

Nora hadn't expected him to agree so easily. She blinked in surprise before a bright, curving smile lit up her face. "It's a promise, then."

His Adam's apple bobbed. He leaned down and pressed a feather-light kiss to her forehead.

"Thank you..."

He whispered the words so quietly they seemed meant only for himself.

Nora blinked. "What?"

Instead of answering, Hudson pulled her back into his embrace, resting his chin on top of her head as he closed his eyes.

...

From his youth to adulthood—virtually an entire decade.

Nora weighed her words carefully. "Do you know what caused his... condition?"

Arthur's expression didn't change, but Nora noticed his grip on the car keys tighten.

"I'm not entirely sure, ma'am."

"You've been with him all this time, and you don't know a thing?"

Arthur fell silent for a moment. "It started two years ago. It has something to do with Silas... As for the rest, the boss doesn't let anyone speak of it, and I don't dare ask."

Two years ago?

Connected to Silas?

Nora frowned.

Two years ago was exactly when she left San Francisco for Northampton.

She had no idea what had happened during that time.

Unbidden, the memory of last night's confrontation flashed in her mind.

What exactly had gone down between the two brothers to escalate to the point of driving a knife through a hand?