"Sh—Sorry. I didn't mean that the way it…the way it sounded."
"And how, exactly, did you mean it?"
"I didn't mean nothing. Come on, baby. I'm sorry. I guess I am a little drunker than I thought. Let's go home."
She swallowed hard, and maybe it was the crisp night air or the fact she'd heard a little too much out of Kirk in the last hour or so, but she wanted answers while Kirk was drunk and his tongue was loose. "Tell me what you meant. You said I was beautiful."
"You are for a woman your age. I mean, you haven't let yourself go too much, you know?"
A sharp gasp was all she could manage. Rage rolled over her, and she fisted her hands, the key fob biting into her. "I want my money back," she told him. "I want nothing to do with a project run by someone like you."
"What? Baby—"
"I mean it. How dare you?"
"That money's mine now," he said, the lights from the hotel revealing the ruddy hue of his face. "You gave it to me."
"I mistakenly invested in a company I no longer believe in."
"Because I'm drunk? You can't hold me respons'ble for that."
"Can't I?" She pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts, desperately trying to find Tina's number. One thing about owning the most popular salon on the island, she knew people—including the bank manager. She'd done Tina's hair for years.
Tessa hit dial and turned to stalk away only to have Kirk grab her arm and try to yank her back. Tessa heard Tina answer with a low hello and quickly explained she needed an emergency stop payment on a fifty-thousand-dollar check.
Kirk started swearing, his voice growing louder and angrier with every second that passed.
"Tessa? Hon, are you okay? What's going on? Who is that man?"
"Please, Tee, just stop payment. It's urgent."
"Yeah, yeah, I got it. I'll do it right now."
"Thank you."
Kirk released a roar that sent a shiver of fear down her spine, and she hurried to end the call in the hopes that Tina hadn't heard the man.
They were in the back of the hotel, away from most everyone. She twisted her head to look around and didn't see anyone to call for help.
"You little b—"
"Ow! Let me go! Kirk, no!"
Kirk grabbed both her arms and slammed her back against his car, his breath foul when he breathed curses into her face.
"You're not backing out on me."
She lifted her chin and ignored the trembling in her body. "I just did. Now let me go before you get in more trouble and wind up arrested for assault." She tried to remove herself from his grip, but it tightened to the point she cried out in pain again.
"Give me my money."
"Your money? Are you serious?"
"Step away from her."
Tessa closed her eyes for a second before blinking them open again. Of all people to come to her rescue, why did it have to be Bruce?
"This is a private conversation," Kirk said to Bruce, not even bothering to look at him.