Run-in with Tucker Baldwin

With a polite smile, she turned away and hailed a server for a glass of champagne. At her father’s functions, they weren’t allowed to drink alcohol, but they were more than halfway through the night, which she felt deserved a celebratory drink. Despite the dress, her scandalous past, and the sidelong glances, they avoided a nasty scene—

“You have a lot of nerve showing your face here.”

She closed her eyes for a moment before she turned. “Hello to you, too.”

Tucker Baldwin glared at her. “You’re making jokes?”

She waved her flute. “Just trying to make polite conversation.”

“After you humiliated my brother by sleeping with another man while you were engaged?”

She froze at the verbal attack, aware that people were turning to look or edge away from the confrontation. She’d known it would be like this. Scandals never faded, not as long as there were people around who could bring them back to life. “That was a long time ago, Tucker.”

“I don’t care how long ago it was. You ruined my family.”

Knowing this couldn’t go anywhere, she held up her hand and took a step back. “Tucker.”

He gave no quarter, stepping into her space, crowding her, so she had no choice but to meet his furious gaze.

“Your broken engagement caused a rift between my dad and Maximus that nearly destroyed our company. We lost millions. Not just because of their severed partnership, but others that decided to side with Maximus instead of my father.”

She felt the blood drain from her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know—”

“And while we’re fighting to keep the company afloat, Ford loses his mind and decides to move to Columbia to become a farmer.” Tucker said the last word with the same disdain others had for human traffickers or drug dealers.

She blinked. “I’m sorry?”

“Ford’s a coffee farmer in Columbia,” Tucker spat with such fervor that she flecks of it blast her cheek, but she didn’t back away. She held her position as he came so close, she felt the brush of his jacket against her hand holding her drink between them. She wanted to walk away and end this, but had a vision of him shouting obscenities across the ballroom. She would let him have his say. Hopefully, that would be enough for him and he’d leave her in peace.

“Ford was going places. He had a mind for business that could have taken us to the next level, but everything went to hell when he chose you. Everyone knew he was making a mistake, not picking someone with a better background. You were the only thing Ford ever fought my father for, so he relented, and allowed him this one thing that nearly destroyed us.” Tucker gave her an insulting perusal. “I don’t know what he ever saw in you. You’re the worst thing that ever happened to him. He hasn’t been the same since, and you dare show your face here like you didn’t spread your legs for some half-breed—”

“Tucker.”

Lyle appeared, clapping Tucker on the shoulder with more force than was necessary, and leaned in to warn, “Walk away.”

A muscle flexed in Tucker’s jaw. “You’re kissing his ass too?”

Lyle’s expression hardened. “I don’t kiss ass, period. Walk before I make you.”

“He strolls into town, throwing his weight around, making threats, buying fucking shares in everything to take over.” Tucker went nose to nose with Lyle. “We’re not going to stand for this. I thought after he bought a controlling share in Hennessy & Co right under your wife’s nose, you out of all people wouldn’t let him push you around.”

“The only one who’s going to be pushed around is you if you don’t back off.”

Tucker’s lip curled. “You’re spineless.”

She reached out to grab Lyle’s arm. He wasn’t prone to violence, but Tucker was pushing it.

“You talk a big talk, but I know you lost the Reiner deal,” Lyle murmured. “You’re hanging on by a thread. You called in some giant favors to get an invitation tonight, and you’re fucking it up for something that happened nearly ten years ago and was never meant to be. If you had half a brain, you would use this opportunity to forge another deal that would set you up for the rest of your life. Instead, you’re demonstrating how classless you are to attack an honored guest of the Trentham’s and the wife of a man who has the resources to pulverize you. I suggest you try to make up for your lapse in judgment by kissing ass because this will be the last social event you’re invited to. I’ll make sure of that.”

Lyle turned, slid an arm around Jasmine’s shoulders, and led her away. The surrounding crowd was curiously silent. She didn’t make eye contact, but kept her head high as Lyle led her to the opposite side of the room. Twice they were stopped by acquaintances who wanted to do a quick catch up with him, reminding her that he too was doing business. When she tried to slip away, Lyle kept hold of her.

“Where is he?” Lyle muttered under his breath.

“He’s with Nathaniel.” She tugged on her arm. “I’m fine.”

“Your hand’s shaking.”

She looked down and saw the champagne rocking back and forth in the flute and going over the sides. She handed it off to a server and tried to look serene when her insides roiled.

“He’s a farmer?” she whispered.

“Fuck, Min, not here. This isn’t the time or place.”

**This is a raw draft of Bitter Confessions. Please do not share or distribute.

Context: Roth stepped out of the ballroom for a little meeting and Tucker Baldwin, Ford's brother, made his move. She sees him earlier in the chapter and was hoping nothing would come of it, but of course, he has to have his say.

Did I mention Ford makes an appearance in this book?? That is, if my plans pan out. We'll see!