Chapter Nineteen

Recollections

Tucker

Tucker paused in the darkening hallway, straining to hear Ella’s conversation. It was wrong, he knew. He shouldn’t eavesdrop on the only exchange she’d been able to have with her family since her useless father had dumped her in the forest, yet, somehow, he knew he’d do so, regardless. He’d been tearing through rules since before Ella was even born, so what difference did it make if he ripped through another boundary now? Gripping the strap of the backpack he’d brought from the cabin, he leaned against the wall, steadied his breathing, and listened.

“Mum,” Ella’s impatient tone floated from the lounge.

He knew how he’d have responded to that tone of voice if she’d employed it in his direction, but on this occasion, the words weren’t intended for him.

Just as well .

He smirked. He was pretty sure her gorgeous backside couldn’t take much more of his attention for the rest of the day.

“Wait,” she went on. “I have a time and place to see you if you’d like to meet.”

Good girl.

His lips curled. She was sticking to the plan he’d talked her through. Ella’s job was to speak with her mother, reassure her that Ella was well, then get her mum to concur with the meeting at the swanky establishment known as Osbourne’s. He’d ensure they had a private table where they wouldn’t be bothered.

“Like to meet?” Her mother sounded frustrated. “I want you home , Ella. Julia and I miss you. We’ve been worried sick!”

His brow creased at her mother’s display of emotion. He knew that he, along with Bennett, was responsible for the grief in her voice. Susie had suffered because of his selfishness. Sure, she wasn’t the first woman he’d hurt over the years, but after meeting her daughter, Tucker was resolved to do better. The next twenty years couldn’t be as ruthless as the last, especially now that he had Ella.

“I know.”

He recognized the stress in Ella’s voice, having provoked it on more than one occasion himself.

“But for now,” Ella’s voice trembled. “This is the best I’ve got.”

“Is he holding you hostage?” Susie’s voice was a low hiss as she correctly identified the type of man her daughter had ended up with. Easing the heavy pack to the floor, Tucker let the accusation sink in.

He had held her hostage. She’d been little more than his prisoner for many days, but since they’d arrived in the city, the dynamic between them had changed. Now, he liked to think she was staying with him out of choice rather than coercion, although he admitted he hadn’t exactly allowed her to decide for herself.

“It’s not as straightforward as that.” Ella’s reply was clipped, and he considered stealing a glance at the woman who’d rocked his world.

What was that sound in her voice? Was she depressed at the idea of being with him, alarmed maybe, or even excited? He couldn’t tell.

“At first, he held me against my will in the woods,”—she paused—“but now that we’re in the city, things are better.”

He smiled at that.

“Better?” Her mother didn’t sound convinced. “Is he hurting you, Ella? Is he making you do things ?”

“Mum.” Ella sounded suddenly tired, and a pang of something close to guilt reverberated in his chest.

She was exhausted, and he still hadn’t fed her properly. It was time he went in there, broke up the mother and daughter chat, and faced the music. Ella had enjoyed a long enough conversation in alleged private.

“Will you meet me so I can explain?”

Picking up the bag, he walked back into the lounge. He waited in the doorway as Ella’s mum responded.

“Of course, darling.” The emotion in Susie’s voice was obvious. “Just name the time and place.”

Ella turned as he placed the backpack down, offering him a weary smile as she rattled off the details they’d discussed. He listened as the women ran through the logistics twice more, Ella apparently anxious to ensure her mother remembered them.

“I have to go, Mum.” Her free hand clutched the collar of his robe as she peered back at the cityscape. “But I promise I’ll see you at Osbourne’s.”

He’d made her the same promise before he’d found the phone for her to use.

“It’s so good to hear from you, darling.” Susie sighed. “But are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes,” Ella insisted. “Really, I am. Don’t worry.” Her lips twitched as though she realized what a ridiculous request that was to make of her mother.

Tucker accepted that if there was anyone on the planet who idolized her more than he did, it was probably her mum.

“I’m looking forward to seeing you soon, though. Take care, and please give my love to Julia.”

“I will, darling.” Susie sounded close to tears. “I love you. Please take care until I see you.”

“I will, Mum.” Ella’s eyes fluttered closed. “I love you, too.”

She ended the call as if she couldn’t bear to listen to any more of her mother’s sentiments, but the way she clutched the device to her body told him how much her mother’s emotions had affected her.

“Were you listening to what we said, sir?” Her watery gaze rose to meet his.

“A little,” he confessed as he dropped the backpack onto one of the sofas and closed the distance between them. “Are you okay?”

“I don’t know.” She pulled in a breath, turning back to the window in a thinly veiled attempt to hide her feelings.

“It’s okay if you’re not.” Reaching for her, he rubbed her shoulder tenderly through the robe. “I get it, little girl. This has all been a lot for you.”

That might have been the understatement of the century.

“She agreed to meet me at Osbourne’s.” Ella ignored his comment entirely, her focus fixed solely on the city outside his window. “So, that’s good.”

“Come here.” He opened his arms for an embrace but hoped his tone told her that it wasn’t a request.

Slowly, she shuffled toward him, resting her hot face against his collarbone as his arms encircled her.

“Speaking to her was harder than I thought it would be.”

“I bet.” Holding her tight, one of his hands rose to stroke the back of her head. “But you’re glad you called her, right?”

“Yes, sir.” She nodded, pressing the device against his skin. “I guess you’ll be wanting this back?”

He stared down at the phone before his concentration rose to her face, understanding her true meaning. She knew he didn’t trust her enough to let her keep the phone yet.

Pressing his lips together, he accepted her inference.

He wanted to trust her and hoped they were getting close to the point where he could, but deep down, he realized he was still the source of so much pain for his little girl. He was keeping her from the people she loved, and he couldn’t risk her calling someone else without his knowledge. It was better if he removed that temptation from her.

“Thank you, little girl.” He took the phone from her delicate fingers. “Why don’t you sit down, Ella? I’ll get you a drink.”

“Thanks.” Her smile was surprisingly warm, considering what she’d been through. “I’ve lost track of time, but I am exhausted.”

He could understand her weariness. She hadn’t slept properly for days. They both needed a decent rest.

“Then we’ll make it a drink before bedtime.” He crossed the expanse of carpet to the cabinet where he kept his decanters. “What can I get you, little girl?” Peering over his shoulder, he grinned at her stunned expression.

“What, you mean an actual drink, sir?” She pressed her palms to her cheeks, feigning surprise. “Do you need to check my I.D.?”

“Don’t push your luck, little girl.” He chuckled at her audacious insolence, shocked at how little it grated. Once upon a time, he’d have flipped her over his lap for such impertinence, but as he placed down the phone and selected his favorite whiskey, he realized there was little desire to reassert his authority. They both accepted who was in charge, but he sensed this calmer version of Ella was more liable to open up and reveal her true feelings.

I want that.

It was a good thing, he supposed, that they had discovered this easier and more relaxed energy between them. He wanted her to be comfortable… just not too comfortable.

“Is that a no?” She grinned as she snuggled against the scattered oversized cushions on his couch. “You don’t need I.D.?”

“Keep it up.” He threw her a playful leer as he poured the whiskey into a crystal tumbler. It had been a while since he’d been able to revel in a reward like this one.

“Sorry.” She leaned back against the sofa, squeezing the pillow tighter. “I’m just not used to alcohol and cushions, that’s all.”

“I can find a dirty broom closet to use as a cell for you if you’d prefer it.” He arched an eyebrow but was unable to resist the smile that rose at her giggle.

“Er, no, thank you, sir. I’ll take a gin and tonic instead.”

“Deal.” Turning back to his alcohol selection, he chose his finest gin and poured a measure for his little girl. “Can I trust you to wait here while I fetch the tonic water from the kitchen?”

He already trusted her that much. The doors out of the apartment were all locked, and he believed they’d moved past the point where she might attack him.

“Scouts honor, sir.” She bit on her lower lip, every inch the naughty little girl who needed his discipline. “I’ll stay right here.”

“In that spot,” he clarified as he lifted her taller glass and walked away from the cabinet.

“Oh, yes.” Her lips twitched. “Right here, sir.”

“Thank you.” Nodding in her direction, he strode to the door and slipped out into the cool hallway.

His thoughts flitted to what Ella was doing as he reached the refrigerator, found the tonic water, and finished making her drink with ice from the freezer. Tucker refused to allow his paranoia to rule him. If he chose to take control—and he did—then he had to be in control of himself as well.

Finding a straw for Ella’s drink, he carried the finished cocktail back to the lounge. She was there, cuddling the soft furnishings, just where he’d left her.

“You are getting good at obedience.”

His tone was sarcastic as he fetched his own whiskey and brought both drinks to the glass coffee table by her toes. It hadn’t been that long since she’d acted as his furniture in the space right beside that table, but now there he was, playing the waiter as he served her the gin and tonic.

“I guess I had a good teacher.” She flashed him a mischievous smile as she accepted the glass. “Thank you, sir.”

“Cheers, little girl.” Settling on the sofa beside her, he raised his tumbler in an impromptu toast. “Here’s to our happiness.”

Lifting her glass, she clinked the vessels together gently before her expressive green eyes met his.

“To happiness, sir. I like the sound of that.”