He waved an angry hand. “It’s sissy work.”
“What?”
“My father hated computers. He said I was stupid and weak for liking them. He took me hunting to make me a real man.”
Oh, God. A mix of horror and sympathy hit me.
“But I had to pay the bills. It was the best paying work I could find. But he always said we should own the hotel, right up until the day he died.” His face twisted. “Then Langston bought it.”
“Okay, Rupert. Look, we need to go back and?—”
“I want him gone. He doesn’t belong in Windward. He’s rich, and handsome, and has everything he wants.” His gaze zoomed in on me and my breath hitched. “Then he got you.”
“Rupert…”
“After the chandelier, I saw the way he touched you. I saw the way you touched him, and I knew. I knew he wanted you and that you wanted him. Then you were with him in his room, and ate his food and got sick.” Rupert wrung his hands together. “I was so worried.” His face hardened. “Until I heard everyone gossiping. You were wearing his shirt. You’re fucking Langston.”
“It’s not like that.”
“You shouldn’t have let him touch you!”
“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.”
