Chapter Seventeen
The Peace Before the Storm
Tucker
“Sir?”
Tucker turned at her quiet tone. “Yes, little girl.”
It had been a few hours since he’d pulled her from her knees and held her, reassuring her that all was forgiven, and in that time, they’d hugged each other in hushed contentment. The sense of serenity was like nothing he’d ever known before.
That was the joy and contradiction of life with Ella. She was either whipping up a whirlpool of drama and excitement or manifesting moments like the one they now shared. Either way, one thing had become abundantly apparent.
There was no future without her.
“I have a question.” She sucked her lower lip between her white teeth as she shifted on the seat. Her eyes were large as she gazed at him. “It’s about money.”
“Okay.” Drawing her even closer, he breathed in the sandalwood scent of her hair. Since they’d been staying there together, she’d been using his hair and beauty products, but she managed to make the alluring aroma he enjoyed even better than usual. “Ask away.”
After everything they’d been through together, there was nothing she could ask that could perturb him, and after the unexpected delivery of his nightshade, he wanted no more secrets between them.
No more secrets, ever.
“And it’s about my father.” She pressed her lips together, as though she, too, didn’t want to mention Alexander Bennett. “Sorry to bring him up again.”
“What’s your question, little girl?” He couldn’t wait to take her back to bed. Just feeling her there stretched out beside him was easily the most scintillating experience of his life. “I’m listening.”
“It’s about the money he still owes you.” She sagged as the words left her lips, as though the reminder of the collateral she’d been exchanged for had sucked the energy from her. No doubt, it had.
Tucker loathed how whatever Bennett touched tended to turn to ash. He longed to shield her from his venom.
“Are you still waiting for it?”
Waiting for it?
The truth was that Tucker hadn’t given the four million a single thought since they’d fled from the forest. He was a fortunate man who didn’t need to worry about money. Having Ella there with him was the greatest wealth he’d ever experienced. No amount of money came close to replicating it.
“He still owes me the money,” he answered at length. “But I haven’t been thinking about that. We don’t need the money, little girl.”
“That’s good.”
She fidgeted again, and fleetingly, he wondered how much her ass hurt after her spanking. He hadn’t held back when he’d hoisted her over his lap, but then, she’d deserved it. He wouldn’t abide her treachery, even if her motivations had been honorable.
“Because I don’t want to be the cause of a big, black hole in your finances.”
“Sweetheart.” He chuckled as his hand rose to her nape and held her gently. “You are worth so much more than any amount of money, but believe me, there’s no shortage of cash or other assets. I have more than enough for both of us.”
“Thank you.” She smiled as she glanced at her lap. “But that’s your money. I don’t feel right spending it.”
“Not mine.” He squeezed her neck gently. “ Ours .”
He’d never been more serious in his life. Tucker had spent his life accumulating financial assets he’d hardly used, but he’d never had anyone to share them with until her. The limited time they’d spent, though, had given him a taste of what a life with Ella would mean, and those pleasures were things that money couldn’t buy. He realized he’d gladly share his assets with her to live that life.
She shrugged. “But I haven’t done anything to earn it.”
“And I have?” He laughed at her naivety. “Do you know how much passive income I make a week, little girl? Real wealth isn’t earned at all. It’s a savvy expansion of existing assets.”
Her brow rose as if she hadn’t contemplated the idea until that moment. Clearly, money had always been available to Ella, but she’d never given much thought to how it was made. She was young, though, and he had to remember that. She still had years to learn, and he’d be happy to mentor her.
“How much?”
“A lot.” He grinned as her shocked expression morphed into an excited smile. “More than you could spend, little girl.”
“But I’m a very good spender, sir.” She wriggled her nose at him mischievously.
“Oh, I bet.” He’d never been so enthused about anyone spending his cash before. “But I promise I can keep that total topped up for you.”
“This isn’t about your money, sir.” She motioned between them. “I want you to know that. I’ve never been short of cash, and I guess I could always get a job if I—”
“I mean it,” he reiterated, cutting her off. “The money is only a means to an end, and I have an abundance of it, Ella. I’d gladly write off the four million Bennett owes to have you here.”
She paused at that, inspiring a comfortable silence before she spoke.
“That means more than you know.” She sniffed back tears as she leaned into his body. “Apart from Mum, I’ve never really known anyone to care for me more than money.” She shook her head at the tragic realization.
“Not anymore.” His free hand reached for hers. “Now you have someone who’s fucking crazy about you. Sure, we have the money, but this thing between us is about so much more than that.”
“I guess that’s why I love you.” She peered up at him from under her damp lashes.
“What was that?” His heart skipped a beat as he stared at her.
Had she just told him she loved him?
His racing pulse told him she had, but he needed to be sure. He needed to hear her say the words again.
“I said, I love you.” She pressed her smaller hand over his, encasing him with her warmth. “I’ve wanted to tell you so many times, sir, but between all the palaver we’ve experienced and my endless punishments, I haven’t found the moment until now.” She laughed, her smile widening as she met his gaze.
“I can’t believe it, Ella.” He chuckled at how she’d expressed the timing, but he couldn’t argue. In the short time they’d known each other, they’d been through more than most couples endured in decades. “If you love me, I must be the luckiest son-of-a-bitch in the world.”
“Well, I do, sir.” She leaned closer. “I love you, but based on what you’ve told me, I don’t think your mum was a bitch.”
“No.” He grazed his lips over hers, hungrier than ever to devour her. “You’re right. She wasn’t.”
Emotional fireworks were going off in his head. How had he ever found any joy in his life before she was in it, murmuring her soft words? Before her cuddles and smart mouth had lit up his world? He must have been mad to think he’d known happiness. The life he’d lived before was dull by comparison.
“You look a little shell-shocked, sir.” She wiggled free of the fingers at her nape and skimmed her fingertips over his stubbled chin. “Are you all right?”
“All right?” He couldn’t believe she even had to ask, but kissing the edge of her digits, he knew he was grinning. “I don’t think I’ve ever been happier, little girl.”
“I’ll take that.” Her hand fell to his shoulder. “You’re more than I ever dreamed about, and now I’m able to keep in touch with Mum and Julia again, I feel very at home with you, sir.”
She’d told him she loved him!
Everything he’d never known he wanted was unfolding before him in the most spectacular way. Ella was every inch his match, a woman who could ignite as easily as she could console.
He’d known serenity in the cabin, but even he had to admit the relentless hours of solitude could be wearing. Ella had given him a reason to return to the homes he owned in the city, and she’d offered new ways to enjoy them.
“You deserve peace, little girl.” He breathed her in as he held her tighter. “I’m going to work damn hard to ensure you always have it.”
Ella would have her tranquility—he’d make sure of it—but deep down, he sensed unease ballooning on the horizon. A showdown was coming—a confrontation with the ghosts of his past.
He would have to face his old friend, Bennett, one more time, just as he’d no doubt have to deal with the odious Collins and the real menace behind them both, Kenner, but he’d need to make sure Ella was firmly out of harm’s way before those leeches returned to drain him.
She couldn’t be witness to whatever came next.