Page 94 of The Fiancée Farce
But there was only her and Tucker, and she’d be damnedif she let him ruin the one piece of the Van Dalen legacy not otherwise tainted.
Tansy frowned. “What are we going to do, Gemma?”
Gemma traced the edges of her front teeth with her tongue. “I’m thinking slashing his tires and busting the headlights on his precious Lambo is a good start, but I’m open to suggestions.”
“Hear, hear!” Teddy cried.
“Gemma!” Tansy looked aghast. If she knew what Gemmareallywanted to do to Tucker, she’d probably faint. It wasn’t just his headlights Gemma wanted to bust. “I meant what are we going to do about what he knows. What’s stopping him from telling someone else? Your father? Mr.Barnes?”
If Tucker knew, so did Victor. So why go to Tansy and offer to pay her off when he could save his money and ruin them both with what he knew? Put an end to this once and for all and claim his victory?
Unless Tucker didn’thaveproof.
“I think he’s desperate.” Gemma shook her head. “So what if he knows that Katherine intends to sell the store? That’s not a secret and it’s far from damning evidence as far as the legitimacy of our relationship is concerned. Granted, the timing is a little suspect, but unless he has actual irrefutable proof that there’s more to our engagement than meets the eye, it’s his word against ours. It’s conjecture, and he knows that, and he’s scrambling.”
“Trying to scare you.” Teddy nodded. “Makes sense. Either get you to take his counteroffer or force a confession.”
But what Tucker and Sterling and Victor weren’t accounting for was that Tansy couldn’t be bought.
What she and Tansy had, money couldn’t buy.
Tansy stared at her with wide eyes that brimmed with hope instead of tears. “You think?”
“I really do. But on the off chance he isn’t bluffing, I’ll have Brooks look into it.”
Assuminghewasn’t the one telling Tucker her business in the first place. Hmm...no. Maybe it was wrong to put so much faith in her gut, but she was willing to bet Brooks wasn’t behind this. He could be underhanded, but she’d never known him to be cruel. And earning her trust as part of some long con would be just that. Not to mention senseless.
It was probably like Tansy had said: Ashleigh or Madison or even Katherine herself had mentioned the bookstore’s potential fate and Tucker had followed the lead.
Yvonne tossed her hair. “It’s like I said. Péter plus haut dans son cul.”
Tansy smiled. “I don’t know what that means, but I think I agree?”
Yvonne laughed and threw her arms around Tansy’s shoulders. “Ah, tu es précieux, Tansy!”
“I still think we should slash his tires,” Teddy said.
She was of the same mind.
Tansy shook her head. “Really, guys. Thanks, but it’s best to just ignore him.”
“An asshole like Tucker?” Rochelle scowled. “Fucker deserves to be put in his place.”
“Hear, hear!” Teddy cried.
“He’s not worth it.” Tansy frowned. “Guys like Tuckerthriveon attention. Doing something reckless like damaging his property would only give him the attention he craves. Let’s not give him the satisfaction of sinking to his level.”
Teddy frowned, and Yvonne’s nose wrinkled.
“But it would feelgood, right?” Teddy asked gently. “Paying him back?”
“That’shardlythe point—”
“Something less destructive, perhaps?” Rochelle suggested.
“Less destructive, but equally as cathartic.” Teddy nodded. “You’re lovely, Tansy, but it’s plain to see you’ve got a lot of...feelingspent up inside.”
A pretty flush wrapped around the front of Tansy’s throat, creeping up her jaw.
