Page 117 of Bet On Me, Daddy

“But,” Killian continued, cutting Beckett off before he could rise from his seat. “If a woman had a problem with my wealth, I imagine the moral outrage would most likely be directed at how I acquired it, rather than the fact that it exists.”

“As it should.”

“Some might agree. So far, it hasn’t been a concern. Why do you ask?”

Killian wasn’t his first choice of confidant. But if there was one thing he knew for certain, it was that the man could keep a secret. “Ruby has some… concerns. About my money. Mainly that I’ll use it to control her. Trap her.”

Raising one dark eyebrow, Killian let out an indelicate snort. “Has she met you? If you wanted to control her, you have far more interesting ways of doing so than tossing your money around.”

“She has met me. And her concerns about me needing control aren’t unfounded.”

“Beckett. We may not know each other very well, but I know enough about you to say with confidence that while you may be even more of a control freak than myself in some ways, you would never use that control to harm a woman. You’d rather cut off your own arm than hurt anyone. Least of all sweet Ruby.”

“But how do I prove that to her?”

“If she’s worried about feeling trapped, make sure she has an escape hatch. One you don’t control. Make sure she knows that no matter what, she holds the key to her cage.”

“That… actually might work. Thanks, Killian.”

“You’re welcome. But, ah, do me a favor and keep this little conversation between us.” A dimple flashed in Killian’s cheek as he bared his teeth in what Beckett imagined was meant to resemble a smile. “I quite enjoy my reputation as the dangerous criminal of Club BDE, and if the others find out I gave you advice it will tarnish that reputation.”

“Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.” Beckett let his lips curve up in a smile to match Killian’s. “But you owe me a favor.”

“Is that so? And what kind of favor could the unimpeachable Beckett Stone need from me?”

“A hypothetical one, for now. Say I had a name of someone I wanted to have… an accident. How much would that cost me?”

He wasn’t sure what kind of reaction he’d been expecting, but it wasn’t for Killian’s expression to turn from playful rogue to deadly serious in a heartbeat. “That isn’t a favor someone asks for lightly, Beckett.”

“I know. But someone hurt Ruby, and every time I see that haunted look in her eyes, I want nothing more than to deliver his head on a platter.”

Leaning back in his seat, Killian tapped his fingers against the sleek wooden tabletop. “That kind of thing weighs on a man, Beckett. Even if you’re not the one pulling the trigger. Which is why I don’t do it anymore unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

“Is Killian O’Rourke going straight?”

“Let’s say I’m making some organizational changes. But again, I’d appreciate your discretion. You know as well as anyone that tipping your hand too soon can cause… complications in business.”

“I do. Again, your secret’s safe with me. No favor required.”

“Good.” A ghost of a smile tugged at Killian’s lips. “If you decide you’re serious about that hypothetical favor, I can point you in the right direction of someone who can help.”

“That won’t be necessary. As much as I’d love to see him ended, I’m not sure Ruby would approve. And at the end of the day, what she wants matters more.” Though if he ever actually met the bastard in person, he might break his nose whether Ruby approved or not.

“You’re a good man, Beckett Stone.”

Being told he was a good man by one of the most feared men in Charleston was a surreal experience to say the least. But damn if it didn’t actually make him feel a bit better about the thoughts he’d been having regarding Ruby’s mystery ex for the past few days. “Thanks. You’re not too bad yourself, O’Rourke.”

“I am. But I’m working on it.”

CHAPTER 39

RUBY

She really, really fucking hated this job.

Then again, maybe it was just because she still felt like shit and her mind was so full of Beckett she couldn’t concentrate. Whatever the reason, every single thing seemed to be on her nerves today. From Nancy’s grating voice to the spreadsheet she couldn’t make heads or tails of to save her life, everything justsucked.Nancy had at least improved her attitude, probably because of Beckett’s threats to buy the company and fire her, which Ruby was secretly grateful for. Even if she refused to tell him that.

“Lunchtime. Fucking finally,” she grumbled, grabbing her purse out of her desk drawer and yanking it over her shoulder. She’d brought lunch, as usual, but today she needed to get outside. She needed to breathe for five minutes without feeling like a rat trapped in a damn maze.

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