Page 68 of Unbound Boxset

Jack studied every feature, probing for deceit, but found nothing but an innocent plea. “What about Bryce?” he asked.

“I needed to tell you how I feel first. I’m going to cancel the wedding. Bryce is a good man, and he doesn’t deserve someone who can never love him.”

My God, she really didn’t know.

Jack threw the bottle back on the table and rubbed his hand over his face. He needed to tell her the truth. The whole truth. But first he needed to complete one last test.

“What if I tell you it’s too late?” he asked harshly. “I intend to leave Newport this evening. Do you go back to him again and settle?”

“No.” She never faltered, just kept her chin high in the air and let him see naked vulnerability. “I’m never going to settle again. If I lose you, I’m still letting the house go. I’ll find my own way.”

Jack knew then he’d won. He was a prince with his own happy ending. He got the woman of his dreams, slayed the evil knight, and would sail off into the sunset. He’d save the Cliff House and they’d all get what they wanted.

“Come here.” She hesitated at his softly spoken command. Then closed the distance between them. He trailed one finger down the curve of her cheek and felt her tremble. Satisfaction surged. “Ask me again.”

“I love you, Jack.” He watched her dig deep for courage, for the grit to ask someone she’d rejected for another chance. He’d never loved her more than in that moment. Her breath broke from her lips. “Please. Choose me.”

His mouth stamped over hers. An emotional flood rose and churned through his body as her taste and touch swamped his senses. He seized; plundered; released. His tongue plunged deep until she clutched frantically at his shoulders, ripping at his shirt in a desperate attempt to unclothe him. The warning bell clanged somewhere distant and Jack focused on the sound in order to pull him out of sensual oblivion. He lifted his head and admired the sleek sheen of her swollen lips, her raven-colored eyes dark with passion. Then he gave the words back. “I love you. I needed to know I wasn’t second choice. I don’t think I could have lived like that.”

“I’m so sorry I hurt you,” she whispered. “I’ll never give you reason to distrust me again. I’ll always tell you the truth. I have to find Bryce to finally finish this so we can get on with our lives.”

The warning bell screeched. Unease slithered through his body so he released her. “I have to tell you something, Julianna. Something about Bryce.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore. I texted and left messages but he hasn’t answered yet. I need to find him. We’re supposed to meet for dinner tonight at seven. I have to cancel the flowers, and call up the people we invited and then⁠—”

“Bryce is in jail. He’s being held on charges of attempted murder.”

Color drained her face and she swayed on her feet. He grabbed her around the waist for support. “What?”

“I know it’s a lot. I’ve been keeping some things from you, too. I need to tell you everything now.”

“What the hell is going on? Do you know each other? He couldn’t possibly have done something like that.”

“Bryce is my cousin. He followed me here from England when he found out my interest in you. He secured the whole meeting.”

Julianna shook her head hard. “No, you’re wrong. When I realized I couldn’t get the money, I placed an ad at a restricted website for women and men looking to marry. He answered my ad. He knew nothing about you.”

“Bryce hired a private investigator to go through your house. He reviewed all your files and activity on your computer. He was looking for something to use against me, and he found it in you.”

She took a step back and held up her hands in defense. “That’s impossible.” She forced a laugh. “This makes no sense. Bryce is a rich man who needed to marry to inherit the family business. Wait a minute…” She trailed off and studied him hard. He allowed her the time to chase her thoughts. “You left to get away from the family business. Bryce told me his cousin was trying to steal the business even though he wanted no part of it. You both belong to the same family?”

Jack nodded. “The company is Woodward Shipping based in England. I’m next in line to inherit, but I need to marry before the company can be transferred to me. Bryce has been ruthless with his attempts to be the one who inherits. I had no idea he was this obsessed, or so sick. I found out he’s been securing prostitutes and beating them up, along with a bunch of other women along the way.”

Jack let out a breath. “At first, I was so angry with you, I was about to sail back home and let you marry him. But when I found out he was dangerous, I couldn’t let that happen.” Jack quickly relayed the story of his stakeout, the videotape, the police, and the arrest. “Whatever happens, he’s ruined and he’s never going to hurt you or any other woman again.”

He reached out to touch her, but she turned away. He allowed her the space and told himself to be patient. This was a lot for Julianna to handle. She needed to accept that Bryce was a monster and Jack had deceived her. Of course, he was positive she’d understand. After all, she’d been the one to declare she only wanted to marry a man with money.

“If Bryce was your cousin, and you knew I was in trouble, why did you lie?”

“I was angry. You had clearly declared I wasn’t good enough for you because you only wanted a man with money. Imagine how I felt? I only realized what Bryce was up to that night I saw you at dinner. I had no idea he was the man you were seeing, or that he was even in town.”

She nodded slowly. His muscles eased a notch. “I see,” she said. “So, from the very first you lied to me. You were never a gardener or a handyman. Your family business is one of the biggest companies in the world. What were you doing here, Jack? Or is that your real name?”

He refused to wince and stood his ground. “My real name is Jack Woodward. When my mother informed me I wouldn’t inherit the company unless I married, I decided to travel to see if I could find a woman who’d love me for myself. Not my money or title or company. I decided to go undercover, pick up a few odd jobs, and be a normal guy. I picked Newport because I wanted to sail and we have a satellite company here. I could check in on things and give myself the time and space I needed to meet someone on my own terms.” His gaze raked over her figure. “I wanted you the moment I saw you. I figured you were a stuck-up, cold socialite who only cared about money. Yet, each time I spoke with you, you got under my skin.”

“You were testing me.” She shuddered and wrapped her arms tight around her body. “I failed the test because I wanted a man with money. What were you doing with that other woman at dinner? Auditioning her for the role of your wife?”

He took slow steps toward her and closed the distance. “I knew you were meant to be mine. No other woman ever stood a chance. And now I can give you everything you’ve ever wanted.”