A detective joined us. “Tessa, doing okay?” Cody had been a few years ahead of me at school.
“Yeah, thanks, Cody.”
“Mr. Langston? I’m Detective Cody Kandolin. I have a few more questions for you.”
Annoyance flashed on Ro’s face. I knew he didn’t want to leave me.
“Go. I’m fine.”
His gaze traced my face, then he nodded. He glanced at Cody. “Make it quick.”
They crossed the lobby, and I saw him stop to talk to some staff members. Whatever he said calmed and reassured them. As I watched, they all smiled and relaxed. That was Ro. He had that natural authority that made people trust him.
God, it would gut me when he left. I’d told him that I loved him, and it had been scary, but felt so right. Even if he had looked shocked. Like I told him that I was pregnant with alien triplets.
But now the euphoria had gone, probably to the same place as my adrenaline and relief.
He was leaving.
Soon, I’d have a gaping Ro-sized hole in my life.
“Hey.” Allie sat beside me. “Glad you’re alive.”
“Me too.”
Sierra sat on the other side and threw her arms around me. She’d already hugged me several times. Jazz stepped up and patted my shoulder.
“I’m okay, guys.”
The usually upbeat Sierra nodded, her face sober. “I can’t believe Rupert did all of this.”
“It’s always the quiet ones you have to watch out for,” Jazz said.
Allie scowled. “Seriously, this is messed up.”
“He’s sick, Allie. He needs help. It sounds like his father verbally abused him and brainwashed him into thinking that the Windward Resort should be his.”
Allie made a sound. “Lots of kids come from shitty childhoods. They don’t grow up to hurt or kidnap or try to kill people.”
“True.” I leaned my head on her shoulder and grabbed Sierra’s and Jazz’s hands. “Luckily, I’m okay. Caden and Ro came in like superheroes to save me. I’m alive and breathing.”
“So what now?” Sierra asked.
My gaze fell on Ro, who was still talking intensely to Cody.
“Life goes on. Rupert will go somewhere where he’ll get help. Ro’s going to leave. Piper and Caden will stay while we upgrade. We clean up the restaurant and continue to give our guests a memorable stay.”
My friends looked at me.
“Ro’s still leaving?” Allie said.
“Yes. The company jet’s fueled and ready to whisk him to the Maldives.”
Jazz and Sierra squeezed my hands.
“I’m okay.” I closed my eyes. “Okay, I’m not. I’m in love with him.”
Allie rolled her eyes. “I knew this was going to happen.”
