Page 56 of Where She Belongs

Tate peeked at her from beneath his lashes. “I can tell them you don’t have any more room at the inn.”

Rylee groaned. “I can’t believe you.”

When he closed the distance between them and took her hand in his, she melted. But then he had to say the most perfect thing. “Ultimately, it’s up to you.”

She shut her eyes with a bemused sigh. “Of course, the pig can come. I’m not going to turn down an animal in need.”

“That’s why I⁠—”

“Rylee? Are you in here?” a distinctly male voice called out.

And just like that, Rylee’s blood ran cold.

Tate’s hand at her waist tightened and he tugged her behind him as if he couldn’t help the need to protect her. But Rylee didn’t need protecting. She knew exactly who was about to appear in the doorway of the barn.

Rylee stepped out from behind Tate just as Alexander stepped into view. “Alexander? What are you doing here?” It came out breathless, and she hated how it made her sound almost excited rather than the actual irritation that she felt.

Alexander stopped short, his eyes wide as he took her in. Then his lip curled. It wasn’t enough for anyone else to notice—certainly not Tate. But Rylee had gotten used to the nuances of the people in her aunt’s social circles.

To anyone else, his smile was cordial and polite, but Rylee knew better. He did not approve of her overalls and dirt smudges. He probably thought the barn smelled awful as well, even though she’d cleaned it of any animal excrement when she’d put the goats out to pasture.

He approached with an air of superiority and she wanted nothing more than to put him in his place and send him on his way.

“Now, is that any way to treat your future fiancé?”

Not only did Rylee stiffen, but Tate went rigid behind her. She could sense his confusion and anger without looking at him. Pulling away from him, Rylee crossed the barn until she was standing in front of Alexander. She dropped her volume so Tate didn’t have to hear.

“I don’t know what you think you’re doing showing up here unannounced, but it’s not going to work. I told you I needed space.”

He reached up to cup her cheek and the movement was so unexpected that she didn’t have time to compute what it might look like in order to pull away. “Sweetheart, I felt lost without you. I know you wanted space, but even your aunt could sense you needed support. So, when I asked her for your address, she was more than happy to oblige.”

Her eyes widened and she yanked free of him. “What? Roxy wouldn’t have given that information to you. Not without my permission.”

Alexander’s eyes ticked over to where Tate still stood a few yards away. Just the way he glanced in that direction made it clear he didn’t think Tate was a threat. He seemed to relax as he made a show of dusting off his suit sleeve. He didn’t look like he belonged here at all. “That’s where you’re wrong. She’s worried about you. We all are. You’re out here…” He gestured around them. “Alone and having to deal with this…” His nose wrinkled with disgust. “Mess.”

She bristled. “This place is not a mess. It’s my home.”

He watched her then, truly seeming to study her. Then he barked out a laugh. “Oh, honey. This isn’t your home. That’s in New York. With our people.” Once more, he clocked Tate. “Not with the help.”

At that statement, Tate had seemed to have enough. He stormed over to them and placed Rylee at his back. “You say one more disparaging thing and I’ll⁠—”

Not an ounce of concern showed in Alexander’s eyes. “You’ll what?” He dropped to something more menacing, and he even took a step closer. “There’s nothing you can do to me. I’ve got connections you wouldn’t dare provoke.”

“Is that a threat?” Tate gritted out.

They continued to size each other up, neither one willing to back down. Rylee held her breath, her gaze bouncing between them, unsure what to do. Tate was definitely the bigger of the two and physically capable of taking Alexander down if the need arose. But Alex was correct in what he’d threatened. He had connections who could do damage even all the way in New York.

The air grew so thick Rylee nearly stepped between them in hopes of diffusing the situation, but then the strangest thing happened. Alexander’s posture relaxed and he smiled like the gentleman he showed the world. He stepped to the side so she could see him fully. “Sweetheart, I came here to show you how serious I am about you. I can’t get you out of my head. Not from the moment we met. I want you to know that I’m not going to give up.”

Tate snorted. “Seriously, man? Clearly, she doesn’t want you here.”

Alexander didn’t even look in Tate’s direction as he continued to speak to Rylee. “What we have is special.”

She stepped aside and folded her arms. “I’m sorry, Alex. There was never anything between us to start with. We went on a few dates, that’s all.”

His jaw set and his whole demeanor twisted into something predatory. The way Alexander’s eyes flashed reminded her that threats could come wrapped in all kinds of packaging. Even gentlemen in suits.

“You heard the lady. She doesn’t want you here. There’s nothing to give up on when there wasn’t anything to begin with.” Tate’s voice was far too smug and Rylee nearly reprimanded him for it. But he was right. The way the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end had her wondering if her instincts to move here had been for more reasons than she’d originally thought.