Page 82 of A Tempting Seduction

“It's a fact.” Lance's composure was fraying at the edges. “Ruby knows how things work in our family. People who oppose Horace tend to have unfortunate accidents.”

“What are you talking about, our family? We’re not family.” I all but shouted.

“That’s just a minor hiccup. I will be part of your family. Did you know Candice had a baby?”

I felt bile coating my tongue. “Horace wouldn’t…”

“He needs this marriage. Think about what happened to your father.”

My eyes narrowed. There was something more going on here. Murdering a baby? Just so I would marry this jerk? I looked up at Ford and he gave me a small nod. We were on the same track.

Ford took the final two steps, so that now he was towering over Lance, every muscle in his body radiating controlled anger. “I think you should leave Jasper Creek. Today.”

“This doesn't concern you,” Lance said, but his voice lacked conviction.

“Everything that concerns Ruby concerns me,” Ford said simply. “We're a team.”

Lance looked at me, something desperate flickering in his eyes. “Ruby, be reasonable. You know what Horace is capable of. Do you really want to put your boyfriend at risk?”

I jumped up from the sofa. “First Horace kills my father, then he threatens Candice’s baby, now you’re threatening my man, all so I’ll marry you? Goodness, Lance, how stupid do you think I am?”

“I’m just laying out the risks.” Lance was beginning to look really stupid as he had to stare up at Ford with his neck craned backward.

“Let me worry about my own safety,” Ford said. “You worry about getting out of town before I decide to make this conversation less friendly.”

Lance pushed himself up from the chair and ducked past Ford. Then he straightened his suit jacket with shaking hands. “This isn't over, Ruby. Horace won't give up, and neither will I.”

“Yes, it is over,” I said, moving to stand next to Ford. “It's been over for two years. The only difference now is that I'm not running anymore.”

Lance walked toward the parlor door, then paused. “You'll regret this decision. Both of you.”

After he left, Ford and I sat in Mrs. Patterson's parlor, processing what had just happened. She appeared with tea we hadn't requested, tactfully not mentioning the raised voices she'd undoubtedly heard.

“He's scared,” Ford said finally.

“I agree. But I’m more scared.”

He sat back down on the couch and put his arm around me.

“Did you notice how squirrely he got when I asked about the contracts? And the way he kept contradicting himself about why he needed you back?”

I had noticed. Lance was usually smooth under pressure, but today he'd seemed rattled and desperate.

“Ruby, what was most important to Horace when you lived in California?”

The answer came immediately. “His political career. He’s house majority leader, and I always thought he might want to become governor. But Diane let it slip once that Horace was grooming Lance for governor instead. She said they just needed enough backing.”

Ford's eyes sharpened. “Backing. Financial backing?”

“I guess so. But I never knew who was supporting them.”

“Every thriller book I've ever read says the same thing,” Ford said with a grim smile. “Follow the money.”

I thought about that, my mind drifting back to those awful political parties. “You know, after Dad married Diane, we suddenly had a lot more money. But Dad was never happy about it.”

“What do you mean?”

“I remember him having to schmooze with these wealthy men at parties. They were always slimy, the kind of people who made my skin crawl. Dad would come home from those events looking exhausted and angry.”