Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56508 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56508 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
It’s my turn to be quiet now. Technically, she’s right. It’s not like I can argue with the fact that we’re strangers to each other. But something about the word pisses me off. It doesn’t feel right. I’ve heard Elio say the same thing about Scarlet many times.
“What? You don’t think we’re strangers?” she says like she’s just read my mind.
“Am I that obvious?” I ask.
“I guess that’s the benefit of being so intense,” she replies. “Your expressions are pretty easy to read.”
“You asked me for help,” I tell her.
“I want him to delete the photo. I can’t stand the thought of it being out there, but that doesn’t mean I want you to…” She trails off, letting out a shaky breath. She’s a civilian. She’s not accustomed to this life. What else can I expect? “I just want the photo gone.”
“He needs to understand what he did was wrong.”
“People like him never will.”
“You’re too young to be this pessimistic.”
When I stop at a red light, I feel her looking at me. She glares through her bangs. “Not everything is about my age. Maybe we should be quiet for the rest of the ride.”
Or maybe I should drop you off here. Maybe I should forget about helping you.
I’m shocked when the words rise in my mind. They’re cruel, mean, not at all like me. I can’t keep using the excuse that life was easier when I was a drinking, partying playboy. That life doesn’t appeal to me anymore, and definitely not now that I’ve met Ruby. Yet I can’t deny everything was easier to deal with back then—when I knew that, no matter what, I could sink a case or devour a bottle and just forget.
We’re both too stubborn. I drive her home without saying another word. When I’m parked at the end of her street, she bites her lip and runs her fingers along her bangs. I can’t get rid of this note of anger thrumming inside. I know I’ll regret not turning to her and apologizing, but then it’s too late.
She pushes the car door open and runs down the street.
Fuck.
I slam my hand against the steering wheel. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
She’s the only woman who’s ever made me feel anything, and this is how I treat her? My phone buzzes. It’s Elio. Where are you?
I turn the car around. If Ruby was trying to calm me down—make it less likely I’m going to tear Nate’s throat out—she failed. As I drive, a small, depressing voice whispers in my head. She’s never going to be able to face the darkness in you.
I can use it to make Nate understand he’s never allowed to hurt my woman.
CHAPTER 7
Ruby
“Wait, Ruby?” Mom calls when I’m about to sneak up to my room.
The meeting with Luca was so confusing. As we were driving and talking, I could make myself believe he was just an ordinary man. I could ignore the darkness, but when he said the K-word, panic gripped me. It was hard to connect this smirking, playful man with death.
I turn to find Mom standing at the living room door. The lights shine from behind her. I can hear low voices—Dad and Lexi.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
Mom has an almost manic look in her eyes, one I don’t like at all. It reminds me of my childhood when she’d get some wild idea like she was going to go back to school to become a doctor, or redecorate the entire house herself, or go traveling for half a year.
“Uh, yeah?”
“We need to talk.” She smiles, gesturing at me.
I follow her into the living room. From an armchair, Lexi gives me an eye roll that says a lot. Dad is sitting on the couch, his hands clasped together, a hopeful look in his eyes. He’s a wide man, strong. As a kid, I called him my big tree because I used to climb him so much.
“Sit down, Ruby,” Dad says.
Mom goes to sit next to Dad. I sit on the arm of the chair next to Lexi. It’s an odd place to choose since there’s another chair free, but it feels weirdly appropriate—Lexi and me versus them.
“We’ve got some exciting news,” Mom says.
“Exciting enough to call me in a panic and get me to come home?” Lexi mutters.
Mom shoots her a look. Luckily, nobody is asking where I’ve been.
I say, “Okay…”
When Mom takes Dad’s hand, I almost cry, but I keep my face composed and force the emotion away. I won’t let them twist me up. Whatever this is, I can’t ignore that manic glint in Mom’s eyes. “Your father and I are going to give it another go!”
She beams like I’m supposed to throw her a party. I feel miserable. You’re too young to be this pessimistic. His voice was so husky and intense when he said that.