Page 97 of Building What's Meant to Be

I grip him by his arm and then tug him toward the door.

“Hey, take it easy unless you want to hear from my lawyer.”

“Shut your mouth unless you want to—” But I go quiet because we’re still in Louella Belle’s presence then drag him outside. “Speak now or forever hold your peace.”

“Isn’t that a wedding ceremony line? Sorry, not interested.” Harold titters.

“Tell me what you know or you’ll find yourself back behind bars.”

“I know people in important positions. Let’s say they picked me out with the promise that I’m safe from the long arm of the law. He titters. “Anyway, Tinsley and I have unfinished business.”

“No, you do not.” Unless she didn’t tell the agents everything when she was questioned.

“If she’s been hiding out in this sorry little nowhere town, I want her to know that I can give her more. So much more. The whole thing in Malibu was a misunderstanding. I wanted to take her out, go shopping, have a nice meal, go somewhere on my private jet.”

“You’re grounded. No traveling outside US borders.”

Harold leans close. “I’ll go right to the edge.”

Anger rushes through me like red hot coals. I grab his shirt collar. “And I’m the kind of guy that steps over it, so I suggest you watch what you say...and what you do.”

At this moment, I realize Tinsley tamed me, brought the version of myself when acting as an agent and the real Aiden closer together—a man who will work hard and fight for the justice I believe in while doing the same for love.

I shove Harold toward his car. He might be out on bail and awaiting trial, but he doesn’t get to come into my town, looking for my girlfriend.

“If I see you here again, that Lamborghini will be in the car compactor over at the scrapyard.”

“Whatever. I have another one.”

“You’ll be in it,” I growl.

He brushes himself off but won’t meet my gaze.

My breath comes heavy as I watch him get into the Lamborghini and drive off. As I calm myself without the help of cute cats, questions drench my thoughts. Why is Harold looking for Tinsley? Does she know more than she should? Did she hear Harold and my exchange?

And most importantly, will she ever trust me again?

Chapter Twenty-One

TINSLEY

The thundering in my ears is so loud, I can’t tell whether it’s from the storm outside or my pulse when I spotted Puma’s Lamborghini. Seeing him leaves me dizzy with fear.

I should’ve told Aiden about the incessant texts.

He should’ve told me he was somehow involved.

Is he watching my back or is it something more that I don’t know about?

Voices rise and fall from the boutique downstairs before moving outside. I’m huddled in the back of the storage closet, probably ruining supplies because I’m wet from the rain.

It’s hard to know if it was the change in weather or something else, but things have felt off all day. I’ve been on edge like I’m sliding toward another unknown. There are crater-sized holes starting with Aiden’s sudden departure from Bubba’s, to finding him in his office, and the strange meeting with Officer Henley. Also, there is the potential Estelle Blanchard connection, the FBI file on Aiden’s desk, and now Puma shows up in Butterbury.

He has holes in his awareness too because I have zero interest in the so-called musician. However, I didn’t think he’dfind me in Butterbury—must’ve made the connection from some social media posts when I first got to town.

I lean against the back of the closet, feeling rung out like a rag, except I’m soaked. My breathing slows, but there’s no doubt Puma saw me run in here, not to mention I probably left a trail of wet footprints.

Thankfully, Louella Belle didn’t question me when I yelled, “I need to hide!”

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