I strode to her, then she was in my arms.

“God, Tessa, are you okay?” I breathed her in. That green-apple scent I loved.

“I am now.” Her voice was shaky.

I pulled back and untied her wrists. Then I cupped her cheeks. God. Emotions flooded me. A part of me had been worried I’d be too late.

That I’d never see her again.

“I knew you’d find me,” she murmured.

“He cut you.” My shaky hand touched the cut on her cheek. It wasn’t deep but it was bleeding. I rubbed the blood off her skin.

“I’m okay,” she whispered.

I kissed her. I pulled her close and devoured her. She clung to me and kissed me back.

Thank God. Thank God, she was all right. Thank God, she’d come into my life.

“I’m so glad you’re okay, baby.” I pressed my forehead to hers. “I’ve never been so scared.”

“Ro.” Her hands circled my wrists, her brown eyes on mine. “I wanted to tell you something. I should’ve told you before.” She licked her lips. “Being kidnapped and afraid for your life brings everything into perspective fast.” She pulled in a deep breath. “I love you.”

My mind blanked.

She smiled. “I broke our ground rules. Sorry.”

Tessa loved me? This loving, giving, beautiful woman loved me? I felt a tangled knot of things fill my chest. Women had claimed to love me before, but it never made me feel anything but annoyance. It had always been more about them than me. Hoping to score themselves a wealthy husband.

I opened my mouth⁠—

“No.” She pressed a finger to my lips. “You don’t need to say anything. I just wanted you to know that you’re loved. No strings. No expectations.”

There was a loud knock on the front door of the cabin, and I glanced over her head.

“Windward Police.”

Several uniformed and plainclothes police flooded in.

I wrapped an arm around Tessa. We’d talk later.

She glanced over at Rupert who was sobbing on the floor. “I can’t believe he did all of this. A part of me feels sorry for him.”

I glared at the man as he was hauled to his feet. “I don’t give a fuck about him.”

“He’s sick, Ro. I think his dad was abusive. He thought the hotel should be his.” Her lip curled. “He thought I should be his.”

I pulled her closer. “He can’t have you.” Because she was mine. “It’s over now.”

She gave me a small smile. “You can leave here knowing that everything is fine.”

My gut twisted. Then a policeman stepped in front of us.

“I need to take both your statements.”

I reached out and stroked the cut on her cheek again. “We can do that back at the hotel. I want a paramedic to look her over. Are you ready to go?”