32. Ro
Chapter 32
Ro
G ripping the handlebars of the ATV, I roared behind Caden’s vehicle.
We were racing up the mountain track to the cabin.
That asshole had Tessa.
Throat tight, chest tight, I tried to keep my fear locked down. But it was burning hot and ice cold inside me.
If he hurt her…
I sucked in some air. Tessa needed me. I couldn’t lose it. I had to keep a lock on it until I got her safe.
It was a hell of a time to realize that I was madly in love with Tessa Ashford.
No, I think I’d fallen for her before I’d even known her name. My fairy queen. Being with her, working with her, had cemented that. I’d just been too stubborn, too stuck in my ways, and too clueless to realize it.
I was going to get her back.
Ahead, Caden stopped. I slammed on the brakes.
“We can’t risk him hearing us coming,” Caden said.
Nodding, I shut off the engine and swung off the ATV. “Enzo’s calling the police?”
“Yeah. He’ll send them up this way once they arrive.” Caden checked his pistol, then slid it back under his jacket. “I’ve no idea if this guy’s armed. Stay behind me.”
The idea that Rupert Fairbanks had Tessa and was armed made my gut cramp.
I strode up the path, picking up speed. And I wasn’t going to stay behind Caden. Not if Tessa was in danger.
Together, we crept closer to the cabin. I saw the ATV parked out front and my mouth flattened. They were definitely here.
Caden pressed a finger to his lips, and I nodded.
We moved toward the cabin and pressed our backs to the wood. I edged closer and glanced in a window.
Fuck . Tessa was sitting on the edge of the bed, disheveled, her wrists still tied together.
Fairbanks was standing close to her, ranting. The fucker had a knife in his hand.
My hands fisted.
“Ro? Ro?”
Caden’s harsh whispers broke through and I met his gaze.
“You in control?”
I gritted my teeth. “Yeah.”
“You go to the front door. I’ll go to the back. Wait for me to make entry before you come in.”
A muscle ticked in my jaw. “All right.”
“Let’s go get your girl.”
Caden skirted the back of the cabin and disappeared. Taking a deep breath, I crept toward the front door. I tilted my head and peered in the window flanking the door.
The asshole was in her face, yelling, that knife too close to her cheek. It was the hardest thing I’d ever done, waiting for Caden when Tessa was in danger.
Then I heard the bang of the door being thrown open.
“Put the weapon down, Fairbanks, and get on your knees.”
I shoved through the front door. Caden stood there, gun trained on Rupert.
The man was facing Caden, Tessa beside him. He had one of her arms in a death grip.
I advanced. He didn’t see me coming, but Tessa did. Relief filled her face and her eyes widened.
Without pausing, I slammed a kick into Rupert’s back. He stumbled forward and let go of Tessa’s arm.
I yanked her behind me as he whirled around. Ignoring the knife, I slammed a punch right into the center of his face. I followed with two more hard jabs.
The knife fell and hit the floor.
I punched him again—a hook to his chest, then an uppercut to his soft stomach.
With a garbled sound, he fell to the floor.
“You touched her, you hurt her, you nearly killed her.” Fueled by my rage, I leaned over and punched him again. Blood spurted from his broken nose.
“Okay, Ro. He’s down.” Caden tucked his gun away and advanced. “See to Tessa.”
With one more glare at Rupert, I turned. Tessa was standing in the center of the cabin, staring at me.
I strode to her, then she was in my arms.
“God, Tessa, are you okay?” I breathed her in. That green-apple scent I loved.
“I am now.” Her voice was shaky.
I pulled back and untied her wrists. Then I cupped her cheeks. God . Emotions flooded me. A part of me had been worried I’d be too late.
That I’d never see her again.
“I knew you’d find me,” she murmured.
“He cut you.” My shaky hand touched the cut on her cheek. It wasn’t deep but it was bleeding. I rubbed the blood off her skin.
“I’m okay,” she whispered.
I kissed her. I pulled her close and devoured her. She clung to me and kissed me back.
Thank God . Thank God, she was all right. Thank God, she’d come into my life.
“I’m so glad you’re okay, baby.” I pressed my forehead to hers. “I’ve never been so scared.”
“Ro.” Her hands circled my wrists, her brown eyes on mine. “I wanted to tell you something. I should’ve told you before.” She licked her lips. “Being kidnapped and afraid for your life brings everything into perspective fast.” She pulled in a deep breath. “I love you.”
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.”