Page 12 of Hunted By Valentine

The King: Is this going to be a regular thing or was it a one off?

Me: I’m not sure yet.

The King: If you take one more life before your month begins, you’ll owe me a favor of my choosing.

Since there’s nothing more to say, I don’t acknowledge his last text. Instead, I hail a cab since I’m already running late. For the first time since Nicklas Knight asked me to attend the meeting, I’m glad I have to go. Hopefully, whatever he needs will take my mind off my prey.

Chapter 6

The Prey

After literally running away from Valentine, I fled into the black car parked curbside, waiting for me. Feeling all sorts of confused and messed up, I asked the driver to take me to Maison de Lys, my favorite shop in all of New York. Shallow as it might be, my clothes are my armor against the world, and I needed new armor. Retail therapy is a cliché for a reason.

As soon as I walked inside, the sales assistants started swarming me. Some knew me from previous visits, others could probably sense the black Amex card with no limit in my purse. But the need to browse had me waving them all off, choosing to look around myself.

Now, I stand in front of the mirror in the shop, smoothing out the fabric of my jacket. The sleek black leather catches the light, hugging my waist just right, giving me an edge I don’t usually feel. Beneath it, my cream-colored low-cut shirt softens the look, and my skinny high-waisted black jeans pull everything together, elongating my legs in the reflection.

The pointed-toe boots give me a few extra inches, their muted burgundy leather standing out just enough to make the outfit pop without trying too hard.

This outfit is unlike anything else I own, but when I saw it on the mannequin, I felt it call out to me like a creature of myth. It’s the first pair of jeans I own, and the only reason I dare wear them in public is because I’m meeting Nick.

Sure, it helps that Michael is out of town, but that’s no guarantee he won’t find out. Healwaysfinds out—especially the things I wish he wouldn’t. However, since I’m meeting the head of the Knight Mafia, who happens to be my oldest brother, I feel relatively safe.

I lean toward the mirror, touching up my lipstick. Dark berry, bold but not too loud. It suits my mood. My green eyes catch the light, glinting as I swipe the brush through my waist-long raven-black hair. It’s smooth and glossy today, falling straight down my back.

Taking a moment, I assess my reflection. I look composed, confident even. But there’s always that tightness in my chest, the knot that never fully loosens. I step back, one last glance in the mirror. I look sharp. Like someone who knows what they’re doing. Even if, deep down, I feel anything but.

Back in the car, I feel myself reassembled—polished, poised, powerful. We glide through the city toward the meeting with Nick and Carolina.

The sleek, modern building looms ahead, its glass façade reflecting a crisp blue sky, an oasis of wealth amidst the gray skyscrapers. Known for hosting the elite, it stands imperious and exclusive, the very embodiment of affluence and influence.

Nick is waiting with Carolina at his side, a united front in this cavernous lobby that speaks of money whispered behind closed doors. Marble pillars reach for the heavens, and the low murmur of conversation bounces off the walls, laden with deals and secrets.

“Ruby,” my brother greets me, his voice echoing slightly in the vast space. There’s an edge to it, a reminder that he is the head of our family now. His eyes scan my attire, approval flitting across his face before he schools his expression back to neutrality.

“Nick,” I nod, my voice steady despite the storm of thoughts raging within me. Carolina watches from the sidelines, her gaze sharp, calculating. Our mutual animosity simmers beneath the surface like a dormant volcano.

“How are you doing?” he asks, his eyes scanning my face in that way he always does. “You’re looking… good.” It’s almost comical how surprised he sounds at that assessment.

I nod. “I’m fine.” Though I should congratulate them both on the wedding, maybe even mention I was there, I don’t. I just follow them inside, coming to a stop in front of a double-door made of frosted glass.

Why am I acting like this? It’s my brother. Sure, we’re not close enough for me to confide in him, but I should be able to tell him about my life, right? I mean, he’d want to know. Or maybe he wouldn’t… he has Carolina now, and by the looks he gives her, she’s all he needs.

Only the lowest of the low get jealous when their brother finds true love, so I guess that’s me. I’m not jealous because I want his attention, but because… I don’t even know why. Maybe that’s not even what I’m feeling.

Christ, I’m so messed up in the head that I don’t even know my own feelings anymore. In truth, I don’t think I’ve known them for a long time. For most of my life, I’ve coasted through life, acted how I was supposed to, said what was expected, and asked for nothing. I guess the result is that now I barely know what it means to want anything.

While I’ve usually managed to act at least somewhat confident, even bratty at times, around my brothers, I can’t even do that anymore. What happened to Jack shook me more than I care to admit, and, well, what’s the point?

“I hear you’ve enrolled at Holloway University,” Nick says, his voice pulling me from my somber thoughts. “What’s that like?”

For some unknown reason, I clench my hands in the pockets of my leather jacket. “It’s fine,” I reply tersely, not inviting more questions.

“What are you studying?” Carolina asks.

I tuck a strand of black hair behind my ear. “Umm… criminology,” I offer, the word tasting like a secret on my tongue. “It’s fascinating.”

“Then you’re in good hands,” he replies, and I catch the glint of genuine interest in his eyes. “Maybe we can use you in the family business once you graduate.”

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