Page 42 of Tempting Tessa

The next swerve caused her to tumble into his lap. He hugged her to him, providing a solid barrier between her and the door. “I’ve got you,” he said.

They were backin the congested London streets before they lost their pursuers. “All clear,” Clarence sang cheerfully, avoiding the main thoroughfares. “Shall we return to the castle?”

“Any chance Jessie knows about that place?” Tommy asked.

Tessa was still half in his lap. She didn’t seem to be in a hurry to move away. “I’ve never talked about that part of my life with anyone, so no.”

“What about your stepdad?”

“Since Mom gave up all rights to her inheritance when she was disowned by her family, it’s doubtful. However, if he’s run a background check on me, he may have found it.”

“We can protect you,” Clarence said. “And there’s always Gryffindor. That’s in my name.”

“Gryffindor?” Tommy asked. “Like Harry Potter?”

“Long story,” Tessa said. “Basically, grandfather willed his summer home to Clarence, and I’ve asked him to keep it well stocked in case I ever need it. It was named Gryffindor long before the famous wizard became one.” She spoke to the chauffeur. “Take us to the castle. I need to think before I do anything else.”

“Yes, m’Lady,” he responded.

“Beforewedo anything else,” Tommy corrected. “You’re not in this alone.”

They were pulling into the long drive when Tessa’s phone rang. She glanced at it and froze.

“Meg?” Tommy guessed.

She blinked. “Blocked number.”

Could it be Jessie? He grabbed the phone. “Let me answer it.”

Her steely gaze met his, and she jerked it away. “No. It’s time for me to face this.” She punched the button and put it on the speaker. “You’ve got thirty seconds to explain yourself.”

But it wasn’t Jessie.

“Hello, my little fox,” a man’s voice purred. “It’s been far too long.”

Tessa’s sucked in a breath. She said nothing, then Tommy saw her icy control slip into place. “Not long enough, in my opinion. What do you think you’re doing? You can’t outsmart the CIA.”

“Oh, Tessa, I think you know better than that. Come to me. We have much to discuss. Opportunities for you and the young Mendoza boy.”

Tommy ripped the phone from her. “Not a chance, you bastard,” he snapped. “Put my sister on the line.”

Harris ignored him. “Tessa, don’t make me come find you. You know I will. The consequences will be so…unpleasant.”

Tessa let go of one of those emotionless chuckles. This one was edged with resolve. “Try it, you son of a bitch. I’ll be waiting.”

She disconnected, her hand shaking as she stared at the phone. Tommy knew she wasn’t seeing it. She was lost in her memories.

“Let him come,” he growled. “He’ll learn a whole new meaning of the word ‘unpleasant.’”

Tessa met his eyes, a stark fear quickly covered by that damn barrier she was struggling to keep in place. “This is my fight, Tommy.”

He grabbed her by the back of the head and pressed a kiss to her lips. “Not anymore. He’s going down, and I’m the one who’s going to do it.”

Seventeen

Tessa entered the grand study, her voice echoing off the high ceiling as she issued orders to the staff. “Find every bulletin board in the castle, no matter how small. I need index cards, markers, and pushpins. Hurry.”

Moda, Randall, and Clarence nodded, scattering to carry out her instructions. Although it was early fall, the London weather already made it feel like winter. The room was silent except for the soft crackle of the fire in the hearth.

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