Chapter 19
Hudson stared at Vivian and Nathaniel until they shut their mouths about contesting the will. “Everyone out except Tessa.”
“But—”
He glared at Vivian. “Get. Out.”
“First, she steals millions from us. Now she gets a letter, like Sam loved her or something?”
She rose from her chair and tipped her wineglass toward Tessa. A gasp squeaked from lips as she pitched forward. Hudson yanked Tessa out of the way. Holding his ground, he caught Vivian by the shoulder as she toppled into him. Wine flew in all directions.
Motherfucker.
How had the situation gone to shit quicker than the trauma bay during a full moon?
Dropping his mouth to Tessa’s ear, he whispered, “Only I get to call you a thief.”
She shuddered against him. “No wonder Sam came to Belmarva to get a break from her.”
“Jesus Christ, Hudson.” Vivian wiped wine from her pants. “Maybe she didn’t know about the money, but she still ended up with it. She’s trouble, I tell you.”
Oh, you have no idea how much trouble she is.
“Shut up, Viv and clean up your mess before Pop haunts your dreams with a parade of fish heads.”
Without looking back, he ushered Tessa into the hallway. He slammed the door against Vivian’s shouts and spun Tessa to face him. He caught the battle between fight-or-flight in her eyes a heartbeat before she peered around the corner toward the front door.
“Hey.” He gripped her upper arms and steadied her trembling body. Calming her down settled his racing pulse too. “Don’t get any ideas about leaving. Even with broken ribs, I’ll catch you.”
She lightly grazed her fingers along his side. “I wouldn’t place any bets on that.”
His sharp inhale didn’t come from the lingering pain. “You might be right, but if I lost you, I’d hunt you down.”
She twisted her lips. “And bring me back here to live with Vivian the shrew. No thank you.”
“I’d blame her dramatics on grief, but she always reacts like that when she doesn’t get something she wants. You should have seen…” He waved his hand. “Forget it.”
Why on God’s green, sandy earth had he almost told Tessa about the fit Vivian threw when he’d broken up with Shayla?
Because he liked her. He’d gauged her reaction as Malcolm detailed the contents of Pop’s will. Genuine shock had flashed across her face when she learned she’d been left a fortune.
A fortune worth killing for.
Vivian’s voice rose from the study.
Tessa shot her gaze to the door again.
“It’s okay.” He took her hand and guided her down the hall. “Believe it or not, she loved Pop, and she loves me too in her own way.”
Tessa looked up, fighting tears. “I never meant to cause trouble, and I don’t want to cause any more.”
“Pop is the one causing trouble.” He touched a stain near her collarbone. A shiver cascaded through his body at her soft inhale. “Go upstairs and change into something wine-free and comfortable. Meet me on the terrace in ten minutes and we’ll read whatever’s in that envelope.”
“Okay.” She glanced at his pocket. “Do you know what’s in the box?”
He pulled it out and handed it to her. “Yeah, but you hold onto it for now.”
She handed him the envelope. “I promise not to look inside if you promise not to read this until we’re together.”
“Deal.” He shoved the letter in his pocket. “Dress warm.”