Page 62 of Rugger: The Huntress

“Hermen.”

The pregnant pause on the line sent daggers through my heart. Admitting I’d failed wasn’t the easiest, but I was on the phone with one of the women I’d lay my life on the line for without question. Just like the others, she’d witnessed me during the lowest points of my life. There were no secrets amongst us. There was no shame.

“He robbed me. I can’t let him see tomorrow, R–” I quieted, remembering names weren’t permitted on the line.

I closed my eyes and silently chastised myself. I should’ve called her on my personal line, instead. And, I should’ve suffocated my true feelings before making the call.

Feelings. I grimaced.

They were the bane of my existence and every day I fought to keep them buried. They would get you killed. They would have you making foolish decisions. They would keep you from heading your family’s syndicate. Those and the vagina between your legs because the world believed women were poor leaders.

Their leadership served as a sign of weakness. But, it was the very opposite in my opinion. Having a set of balls automatically made you the weakest candidate.

If a man were placed in a woman’s shoes for twenty-four hours, he’d fold a hundred times. His knees would buckle. His legs would quiver. His back would ache. His eyes would cry a thousand tears an hour. His ankles would break.

The pain and suffering we endured once each month would send a grown man to his mother to cry in her bosom. Labor and delivery would wipe out the entire species of man. They couldn’t fill our shoes even if they tried, yet they’d deemed us unworthy and unfit for leadership.

However, we headed households better than any man ever could. We happened to be smarter, natural nurturers, domesticated geniuses, born caretakers, and incredible problem solvers.

The call ended and almost instantly, the iPhone began ringing on the bathroom counter. I rushed out of the closet in search of it. Royce’s name was on the screen. I wasn’t surprised.

“Yes?”

“Is that reason enough to kill him, Rugger?”

“I’ve killed for less, Royce. Why are you questioning me?”

“Because, I’ve never heard you like this. You sound–frazzled.”

“You won’t ever hear this side of me again. I need the information.”

“I’m pulling it up. But, one more question, Rugger.”

“Yes?”

I was back in the closet, grabbing a pair of stockings to go underneath the leather skirt I’d decided on.

“How do you know it was him?”

“He told me.”

“To your face? You’ve met him?”

“You said one more question.”

“Rugger–”

“Yes. And, yes.”

There was another pause. This time, the phone started buzzing against my face.

“Answer.”

“No.”

She was trying to video call me. I was the least bit interested.

“Answer or I’m going down the street to wake Teddy and tell him your plans.”

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