His Unveiled Passion

Stephen pulled himself out of his swirling emotions and said seriously, "Tess, there's something else I need to tell you."

Tessa straightened up when she saw the look on his face. "What is it?"

Stephen said, "My dad's illegitimate son is named James Fullerton. Back then, my grandparents refused to let him into the Jacobson family. He had a rough time on his own in Arcton until a powerful gang leader took him in. Over the years, he built a base and gathered his own men. Now, he even has a private armed force."

Tessa immediately said, "That sounds dangerous for you! Stephen, you have to be really careful dealing with him."

Her concern caught Stephen off guard, sending a warmth through his chest.

He pulled her into his arms. "I'll be fine, but I'm worried about you. You mean everything to me, and I'm afraid that he'll come after you just to get to me."

Tessa repeated, "Come after me?"

Stephen said, "Yeah. Taking me down won't be easy, but you're my biggest weakness. If he targets you, I—"

Tessa wrapped her arms tightly around him. "You don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself. Plus, you've already assigned two extra bodyguards to me, so I'll be fine.

"Besides, we're in Orkford. James has no real power here, and he can't pull anything off."

Stephen frowned. "Jacqueline is his accomplice in Orkford."

Tessa's head snapped up, and her eyes filled with shock. "What? Jacqueline? But she's your sister! How could she-"

know when she started working for James-I'm still looking into it. She has already fled to Arcton, but my people have found her. They'll bring

Jacqueline didn't come to our engagement party, did she? She's your

the incident. On the day of their engagement,

focused on Tessa that he didn't even notice Jacqueline was missing. Susan had kidnapped Seline that day, and it seemed likely

and gave her one last piece of advice. "Anyway, wherever you go, make sure

Tessa nodded. "I will."

on the couch, the

stood up. "That

order it?

minutes before you woke

"You've got

tapped her nose affectionately. "I know you better

ordered the signature dishes from a five-star

she gave Stephen a

arranged the dishes neatly. "If you want it, they'll

at him,

hit her-the delivery was

prestigious people like Stephen.

on her face, she sat at the table and picked up

and missed breakfast. By the time she woke up,