Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1215

"Looks like it," Elysia muttered, frowning. "So what’s his game? He’s trying to use Ridley to threaten Winona?"

Tarquin leaned back against the headboard and pulled her close.

"They’re past pretending. Zane needs leverage to keep Winona in check, and Ridley’s the perfect bargaining chip. He can use Ridley to shut Winona up, and maybe even get his hands on the Newsom family’s company and assets. If Ridley doesn’t play along, Zane can always dangle the whole ‘illegitimate daughter’ thing over her head."

Elysia pressed her cheek against Tarquin’s chest, brows knit tight.

"Zane sure thinks he’s clever, doesn’t he?"

"Thinking doesn’t mean he’ll succeed," Tarquin replied, a hint of a smile in his voice.

Elysia looked up at him, her expression hopeful.

"So you already figured out Zane’s plan? You had people watching over Ridley and the others from the start?"

He nodded. "That’s why I kept telling you to relax. As long as your husband’s here, you’ve got nothing to worry about."

With Caroline and Winona already under their roof, Ridley was the only one Zane could target. If things went south between Zane and Winona, Ridley would be his first move.

Elysia’s eyes sparkled. "How did you get so smart?"

Tarquin grinned. "It’s because I married Elysia. You inspire me."

Elysia snorted. "I’ll just take that as a compliment."

"You should—it’s meant to be one. And I’m pretty proud of it, too."

She laughed along with him, then asked, "So what’s the plan now?"

"We see what Winona wants to do next."

Back and forth, the couple kept talking in low voices. Elysia was so worried about Ridley and Tamsin that she couldn’t sleep, so Tarquin stayed up with her.

Later, Tarquin’s phone buzzed—a message from Lowell instead of a call.