Page 54 of Fletch

“I can’t do that, Ruby. I can’t have him around you when I know he’s no good for you.”

“And he was?” she hisses, pointing to the door my father exited through. “You thought I’d be better raised here with a mother who spends her life out of it on meds and him, a man who cheats constantly and talks to us like he actually hates us?”

“I didn’t have a choice,” I mutter feebly.

“Crap, absolute crap. I’m not staying here.”

“You have to,” I argue.

“I’m coming to yours.”

“Ruby, he’ll never allow it.”

“He’s not my real father,” she suddenly screams. “And I can’t look at him for a second longer. It’s bad enough I have to look at you, but him . . . I fucking hate him. And if you make me stay here, I’ll run away.”

I sigh heavily and push to my feet. “I’ll talk to him.”

I find Father in the kitchen nursing a scotch. “Why didn’t you tell me Sarah left?”

“I’m telling you now.”

“And she didn’t try to take Ruby?”

He shakes his head. “If we’re honest, she never really took to her, did she? Jolene practically raised her, just like she did you.”

“Ruby is insisting on coming back to mine for a while,” I say cautiously.

“Fine. Whatever.”

“Really?” I’m surprised, and I can’t hide it from my voice.

“She’s your daughter,” he mutters.

I leave the room before he can change his mind and tell Ruby to pack some things.

I head back to work after I get Ruby settled. She isn’t speaking to me, and I don’t blame her. But as much as I want to spend the night trying to make her see things from my point of view, I think right now she just needs time. Besides, I have a raid to lead.

The Chaos Demons clubhouse is all quiet when we arrive at midnight. Maybe Fletch took note of my text after all.

We go through the side door again, just because it’s the easiest route in. This time, I opted to take Fletch’s floor. Simply because I need to see him. I purposely sent Phil on another floor because if he sees me talking to Fletch, he’ll see the connection I’ve made.

I take a breath, glancing to my left, where my three officers are waiting on me to open the bedroom door. I push and reach for the light, bathing the room in a bright white glow. It takes me a second to work out the dynamics before me, and when I do, I almost want to vomit. Everything seems to move in slow motion.

Fletch is naked, and beside him is Nyx fucking a blonde. Fletch glances my way, not looking at all surprised. He throws the sheet back and swings his legs over the edge of the bed, holding out his wrists, ready to be cuffed.

Nyx groans, shuddering before grinning my way. “Sorry, needed to finish,” he explains, before pulling from the girl and handing her a shirt.

“Stay where you are,” I snap as Nyx moves to grab some shorts.

“Officer, I’m naked,” he drawls. “Can I at least cover my junk, or are you enjoying the view too much?”

“Hurry the fuck up,” I snap, pulling a set of cuffs from my belt and slapping them extra hard onto Fletch’s wrists. “Someone cuff the others,” I bark, pulling the cuffs so Fletch has to stand. “Line them up outside the room,” I add.

I wait for them all to move out, and when Fletch goes to follow, I hold him back. He avoids my eyes. “Really?” I hiss. “You’re just gonna act like you don’t give a shit?”

He rolls his eyes, irritating me further. “Can we not do this now, Gemma?” The full use of my name hurts me more. “I mean, the constant texts were bad enough, but now, you’re creating a raid to see me?”

I feel my cheeks redden. “Fuck you,” I whisper, pushing him towards the door.

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