Peril in the Smoky Mountains by April Arrington

Author:April Arrington
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-11-03T15:39:51+00:00

TWO

Suspicion chased disbelief across his rigid features. Surely the anger swirling in his brown eyes wasn’t directed at her? He was supposed to have greeted her with an apology, or at least a blush of shame for what he’d done to her. Tessa was light-headed from the high emotions battling for supremacy.

He had grown more handsome with time. Slightly over six feet, he was sleek power in a deceptively trim frame. He had bronze skin, molten eyes the color of a rabbit’s pelt and rich, thick brown hair.

After too many long, lonely years, mere inches separated her from the man who’d ripped the sun from her sky. She was supposed to despise him. She hadn’t ever learned to do what she was supposed to, though. If she had, she would’ve done her father’s bidding and married one of his Mafia associates. She’d have been like her mother, bearing children into a legacy of violence.

His upper lip curled. “What could you possibly want with me?”

This wasn’t the thoughtful, kind man who’d wooed her with home-cooked meals, horseback rides and random gifts of chocolate. This wasn’t the man who’d plagued her dreams, the man she’d wept buckets of tears over. Her Mason wasn’t capable of such an ugly expression. With that intense darkness enveloping him, he could have blended right into her Mafia family.

A shudder rippled through her. “My brother wants me dead. I caught him conspiring to kill a police officer and tried to prevent it.”

Tessa licked her dry lips, wishing she could unsee the photos Dante had shoved in her face. Despite her best efforts, she hadn’t been able to save Officer Fisk.

Mason folded his arms over his chest, an action that pulled the crisp, blue-black uniform tight across his shoulders. “How many brothers do you have? Because the one I met didn’t strike me as a cold-blooded killer.”

Dizziness washed over her. “You met Dante? When?”

He gave a minuscule shrug. “Doesn’t matter. Go on.”

“I approached Officer Fisk. He asked if I’d be willing to record evidence of their plans.”

“Their?”

“My father and Dante. There are things you don’t know about me, Mason.”

He stared at her for long moments, then his gaze slid to Lily. “Clearly.”

The possibility that Lily could be his daughter obviously hadn’t entered his mind. He must think she was married or divorced. Tessa began to question her decision to come to him. He’d left her without a word, not even a text message or email. Why would he care that she was in danger? She wasn’t even convinced he’d protect Lily. Sure, he’d mentioned having children someday. But it was clear he hadn’t wanted any with her.

She stood up so quickly spots danced before her eyes. “This was a mistake.”

His hand was gentle on her shoulder, steadying. “Hold on. Let me get you a drink.”

Mason strode to the tables and made his choices. He brought back a bottle of water and orange juice. “Does she like this kind?”

Sinking to her seat, she took the juice from him. “Would you like some, Lily?”

Her daughter had plastered her cheek in the curve of Tessa’s neck.

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