31. Tessa
Chapter 31
Tessa
A s I jolted around, I was really worried I was going to fall off.
The ATV bumped up the mountain trail. Rupert was driving way too fast, and with my hands tied, I couldn’t hold on very well. My leg muscles were screaming with pain from where I was gripping the seat.
Rupert . It was Rupert.
Quiet, unassuming—and I used to think sweet, but I’d had to revise that descriptor—Rupert was the saboteur slash attempted murderer.
My heart was beating too fast. I had no idea what he had planned.
My thoughts turned to Ro. He’d be worried. God, I hoped he realized I was missing. I bit my lip. I should’ve talked to him. I should’ve told him how I felt.
Now, I might never get the chance.
The ATV hit a large bump and my teeth snapped together. A moment later, the cabin came into view. Rupert must have known it wasn’t booked today.
He pulled to a stop, then dragged me off the vehicle. “It’s just us now, Tessa. You’ve always told me how romantic the cabin is.”
“Rupert, we need to talk…” I struggled to stay upright.
He ignored me and shoved the door open, then yanked me inside. He tossed me toward the bed. I hit it on my side, righted myself, and perched on the edge.
“It was you,” I said sadly. “You caused the power outage, you locked me and Ro in the basement, you made the chandelier fall.”
“Yes! It was supposed to scare Langston off or hurt him.”
“I nearly fell through that loose railing.”
“It was meant for him .”
“And that poor deer. You killed a deer.”
A proud look crossed his face. “I bet you didn’t know I hunted.”
I looked into his eyes, and what I saw sent a chill down my spine. He looked off, a dead, blank look behind his gaze.
“You poisoned me, Rupert. I almost died.”
“You weren’t supposed to be there! It was meant for Langston.” Rupert whirled, spitting the words at me.
I tried to loosen the ropes on my wrists. Maybe I could get free. “Why? Why would you do this?”
“The hotel should be mine .” His angry voice echoed off the walls. “Not his.”
I kept my voice calm and even. “It was a long time ago that it belonged to your great-grandfather. It has nothing to do with Ro?—”
His face contorted. “Don’t call him that. It’s Langston.”
I dragged in a deep breath. “You’ve never owned or run a hotel, Rupert. Your great-grandfather started it and lost it.”
“It was stolen from him.” Rupert ran his hands through his hair, his movements jerky. “It was my birthright and it was stolen from me. My father always talked about it. He was angry that we didn’t own the Windward Resort as we rightfully should.” He lowered his voice. “It should be ours, son. It was stolen from us.”
I swallowed. “I thought you liked your work. You’re good at it.”
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.”
Through the fear, I had the thought that Rupert’s dad was a real winner. “Let’s talk.”
“No! No more talking.”
Fear swamped me. Ro, I love you . I wish I’d been brave and told him how I felt. I wish we’d had more time.