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?”
She leaned into me. “Yes, please.”
Chapter33
Tessa
Back in the hotel lobby, there were police and firefighters everywhere.
I was still in Ro’s arms, sitting on one of the lobby couches. He hadn’t let me go. Not on the ride down from the cabin, and not once we’d gotten back to the hotel.
Everyone had stopped by to check on me. Even Coral. I’d been hugged, kissed, and fussed over. A paramedic had treated the cut on my face. It was shallow, and he’d told me it would heal fine. He cleaned it and put a small strip of tape on it.
I’d made them clean Ro’s torn knuckles. I’d never, ever forget him punching Rupert. Never forget him storming into the cottage, a savage look on his face.
Coming to rescue me.
I shivered.
Ro shifted, then shrugged his jacket off and slid it around my shoulders.
“Thanks,” I whispered. It was warm and smelled like him. I should get up and direct my staff, help them calm the guests who were just now being allowed back in after the fire. Also, I needed to sort out cleaning the restaurant and kitchen, which both smelled like smoke.
But I felt like a battery that had drained of energy. The adrenaline and sheer relief of being rescued had worn off.
Now, I just felt tired. And sad for Rupert, who clearly needed professional help. He’d been taken away by the police.
