“He’s leaving, Rupert, and⁠—”

“He doesn’t deserve you. I love you, Tessa.”

My mouth went dry. He wasn’t well. He needed help. “I didn’t know.”

“Whenever you called, I came straight away. I always wanted to help you.”

“You were always helpful.”

“But I wasn’t man enough for you. I wasn’t good-looking enough.” His voice rose. “Rich enough. You want him.”

“It has nothing to do with his wealth.”

Rupert whipped back and glared at me. “You let him touch you, kiss you, fuck you.”

Best not to mention what Ro had done to me on this very bed. My pulse raced and fear made it hard to think. I needed Rupert to calm down. “He’s leaving.”

“You love him,” Rupert said brokenly.

I stilled. “I⁠—”

“I know you. I’ve watched you with him. You love him.”

“I do,” I whispered.

Pain crossed his face. Then he pulled a large knife from his belt. It had a jagged blade and was clearly a hunting knife. Oh God, was that the one he’d used to kill the deer?

A wave of hot, prickly stickiness washed over me. I had to keep him calm and talk him down.

“Why couldn’t you love me, Tessa?” He stepped forward and lifted the knife, holding it close to my cheek.

I tasted bile.

“I didn’t know, Rupert. I’m sorry.”

“I’m tired of never getting what I want. My dad always said real men take what they want.”

Through the fear, I had the thought that Rupert’s dad was a real winner. “Let’s talk.”

“No! No more talking.”

Fear swamped me. Ro, I love you. I wish I’d been brave and told him how I felt. I wish we’d had more time.

32. Ro

Chapter 32

Ro

Gripping the handlebars of the ATV, I roared behind Caden’s vehicle.

We were racing up the mountain track to the cabin.

That asshole had Tessa.

Throat tight, chest tight, I tried to keep my fear locked down. But it was burning hot and ice cold inside me.

If he hurt her…

I sucked in some air. Tessa needed me. I couldn’t lose it. I had to keep a lock on it until I got her safe.

It was a hell of a time to realize that I was madly in love with Tessa Ashford.

No, I think I’d fallen for her before I’d even known her name. My fairy queen. Being with her, working with her, had cemented that. I’d just been too stubborn, too stuck in my ways, and too clueless to realize it.

I was going to get her back.

Ahead, Caden stopped. I slammed on the brakes.

“We can’t risk him hearing us coming,” Caden said.

Nodding, I shut off the engine and swung off the ATV. “Enzo’s calling the police?”