He leaned over and rested a hand on my thigh under the table and squeezed. His gaze on my face. I managed a smile and grabbed my glass of juice.

Just eat, Tessa.

Soon, I felt full and tired again.

Ro pressed a hand to my back. “Tessa needs a nap.”

“No, I⁠—”

“Yes.”

I rolled my eyes.

“She’s always been stubborn,” my aunt added.

“Don’t gang up on me.” I turned in my chair. “Ro, I need to check on the hotel and⁠—”

His face hardened. “No. You have the next few days off to rest. Doctor’s orders.”

Emily stood, stacking some of the empty plates. “Come on, kiddos, you guys need to stack the dishwasher. Thank Ro for the pancakes.” Her gaze moved between me and Ro. “We’ll get out of your hair.”

“Em—”

She came over and hugged me, then cupped my cheek. “You had us worried, sweet girl. I’m so glad you’re okay.” She smiled. “And I’m glad he’s taking good care of you.”

My cousins all hugged me, even Leo. Then I saw him give Ro a fist bump. Then of course, Caleb wanted to fist bump as well. It was surreal.

Haley threw her arms around Ro’s legs. “Thanks for the yummy pancakes, Ro.”

A soft look crossed his face. “You’re welcome, Haley.” He ruffled her hair.

Then they were gone.

“Bed,” he ordered.

Bossy. “I’ve been in bed all morning.”

Before I could say anything else, I was in his arms. The look on his face made me still.

“I thought you were going to die.”

His tone arrowed through me. “Ro…”

“I was holding your limp body on the way to the hospital, praying I’d be fast enough to get you help.” He released a shuddering breath. “I felt so helpless.”

And he was a man who rarely felt helpless.

I tightened my arms around him. “I’m okay, thanks to you.”

“You were poisoned because of me.” His voice turned harsh.

“No.” I looked up at him. “I was poisoned because this asshole is targeting you. That’s who is to blame.”

“When I find them, they’re going to regret it.”

The lethal tone to his voice made my heart kick. “Hey, come on.” I cupped his stubbled cheek. “We both need some rest.”

24. Ro

Chapter 24

Ro

I paced my office in front of the windows.

I hadn’t wanted to leave Tessa today, but I’d had calls scheduled, and I needed to talk with Caden about finding the person who’d almost killed her.

Yesterday, after our brunch with her family, we’d had a lazy afternoon of napping and watching movies. I’d spent the night at her cottage.